Jeep tries to stomp on Ford Bronco with new Wrangler Xtreme Recon SUV

Jeep is introducing a new Xtreme Recon package for the Wrangler that adds equipment to give it the best ground clearance, water fording and approach, departure and breakover angles in the segment. The announcement comes just as the new Ford Bronco is hitting dealers.

The Xtreme Recon package is an option for the four-door Wrangler Rubicon and Rubicon 392 that adds a 1.5-inch lift kit, 35-inch tires on 17-inch wheels and a 4.56:1 axle ratio. The Rubicons currently come standard with 33-inch tires and a 4.10:1 axle ratio. The result of the changes is an SUV with a 47.4-degree approach angle, 26.7-degree breakover angle, 40.4-degree departure angle, 12.9 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford through 33.6 inches of water. The last of those figures is .1 inch more than the four-door Bronco's maximum, which also has up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance and approach, breakover and departure angles of 43.2, 26.3 and 37.0 degrees, respectively.