Jeep's 85-year heritage reinterpreted for the modern era

20 Wranglers and 10 Gladiators available

Reservations open Thursday through Naver's official store

Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator 85th Anniversary Edition [Jeep]
Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator 85th Anniversary Edition [Jeep]

Jeep announced Thursday it will release limited 85th Anniversary Editions of the Wrangler and Gladiator in South Korea, with only 30 units available in total.

The special edition is designed to carry forward the brand's enduring spirit across its 85-year history. The company said the vehicles embody Jeep's core identity — the freedom and adventure of blazing any trail — a philosophy it says has never changed regardless of the era.

Inside, the cabin features seats upholstered in a mix of leather and fabric with a plaid pattern, complemented by seat tags bearing the 85th anniversary logo. The gear knob emblem and cupholder badge — among the first surfaces a driver touches — also carry the anniversary insignia, giving occupants a sense of occasion from the moment they step in.

On the exterior, an 85th anniversary decal in "Blue Agave" — a color named after the agave plant that thrives even in harsh desert conditions — expresses Jeep's spirit of perseverance in any environment. The wheels are finished in a metallic "Steel Oxide" tone, evoking oxidized steel as a metaphor for Jeep's decades of off-road history.

Both editions are based on the Wrangler Rubicon 4-Door Hardtop and Gladiator Rubicon, Jeep's benchmarks for off-road capability. All 30 units sold in South Korea — 20 Wranglers and 10 Gladiators — will be offered exclusively in white.

The Wrangler Rubicon 85th Anniversary Edition is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine producing 272 horsepower and 40.8 kilogram-meters of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also comes equipped with a full-time four-wheel-drive system and Selec-Speed Control for off-road driving.

The Gladiator 85th Anniversary Edition — South Korea's only open-air pickup truck — runs on a 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 284 horsepower, 35.4 kilogram-meters of torque and a towing capacity of 2,721 kilograms. Off-road hardware includes Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials and an electronic front sway bar.

Reservations for both editions are available through Jeep's official Naver store, where customers can review vehicle details and purchase benefits before booking. All 30 buyers through Naver will receive a commemorative 85th anniversary Jeep figurine calendar.

The Wrangler and Gladiator 85th Anniversary Editions are priced at 88.4 million won ($66,000) and 86.6 million won, respectively.

Bang Shil, chief executive of Stellantis Korea, said trends and times have changed constantly over the past 85 years, but Jeep's spirit of seeking freedom and adventure on any road never has. "The reason a check pattern from 30 years ago still feels valid and appealing on today's Wrangler is precisely because of Jeep's timeless heritage," he said, adding that he hopes customers will experience the brand's distinctive history and enduring values firsthand at dealerships through the 85th Anniversary Edition.

Meanwhile, Jeep has been expanding its customer brand touchpoints through a range of marketing activities, including recently naming KLPGA Tour player Seong Yu-jin as the official ambassador for the new Grand Cherokee L.


likehyo85@heraldcorp.com