page_title: Jeep Wrangler (JK)
section_title: Development
hierarchical_section_title: Jeep Wrangler (JK) / Development
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Der Jeep Gladiator auf der Chicago Auto Show 2005. English: The Jeep Gladiator at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show. 한국어: 2005 시카고 오토 쇼에 전시된 Jeep Gladiator.
context_page_description: The Jeep Wrangler (JK) is the third generation of the Jeep Wrangler off-road vehicle. The Wrangler was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the JK series 2007 Wrangler Unlimited at the 2006 New York Auto Show.
  The car's body and chassis were completely redesigned during the era when Jeep was part of DaimlerChrysler. Just like the Willys MB, the CJ Jeeps and the Wranglers before it, the JK continues to have a separate body and frame, rigid live axles both front and rear, a fold-flat windshield, and can be driven without doors. Also, with the exception of optional 4x2 models, the Wrangler JK continues to have part-time four-wheel drive systems, with the choice of high and low gearing.
  In addition to the traditional 2-door Jeep, the JK introduced for the first time a factory standard four-door model, called the Wrangler Unlimited. Contrary to the first, TJ-based Unlimited, and the CJ-8 "Scrambler", its wheelbase is stretched by 20 instead of 10 inches. The Wrangler Unlimited became a big sales success — by mid 2017 three quarters of all new Wranglers listed for sale were four-door models.
context_section_description: In 2001, DaimlerChrysler commissioned development of a TJ successor under the "JK" program code for the third generation Jeep Wrangler. Design work began almost immediately in 2001, with Mark Moushegian winning an internal design competition against Dan Zimmerman (later responsible for 2005 Jeep Hurricane Concept) by the second quarter of 2003. In January 2004, the JK design was frozen at 31 months ahead of production and work began on a conceptual preview.
  On November 16, 2004, Jeep released 2 CAD renderings of a Jeep pickup. On December 5, 2004, the 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept was unveiled ahead of its January 2005 Detroit Auto Show debut, previewing many of the design elements on the incoming JK. The Wrangler JK was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show with past Chrysler group CEO Tom LaSorda driving one up some steps and through a plate glass window, just as Robert Lutz had done at the show in January 1992 with the Grand Cherokee.
caption: The 2005 Jeep Gladiator concept.
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