by Jeep has introduced a special version of the Wrangler SUV for the Japanese market called the Snow Trace. This is a limited series that received special visual elements, such as decorative decals, white mirrors, and retro-style wheel discs. The manufacturer plans to release only 150 such vehicles at a price of approximately 58 thousand US dollars.
Styling and Design
This version, available exclusively in Japan, is based on the Wrangler Unlimited Sahara trim. Its design was developed with an emphasis on winter activities. The key external change became the white retro-style wheel discs, which can be complemented with silver hubcaps engraved with the silhouette of the Willys off-roader.
The Snow Trace design was developed with the participation of the American Jeep team and is saturated with winter sports themes.
Along the hood and fenders of the car stretch branded decals in blue and light blue tones, which integrate the classic radiator grille and the brand’s logo. The fenders also feature graphic images of silhouettes of skiers and snowboarders on mountain slopes.
Interior Details
The white rearview mirror caps are adorned with the Jeep emblem. The spare tire cover contains a graphic image of the Wrangler against the backdrop of a mountain ridge. On the left rear window, there are two small Easter eggs in the form of outlines of a Yeti and the original Willys Jeep.
Technical Specifications
The Wrangler Snow Trace is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. For the Japanese market, this is the only available powertrain. The car, like the base Sahara, received the Selectrack Full-Time 4×4 all-wheel-drive system, and not the more advanced Rock-Trak 4×4 from the flagship Rubicon trim.
Limited Run and Equipment
Production is limited to 150 units. The starting price is 9,090,000 yen, which is 500,000 yen more expensive than the standard Sahara, but corresponds to the price of the top Rubicon version. Everyone who takes a test drive of the Wrangler Snow Trace receives a free winter hat or neck gaiter, and car buyers receive a special blanket, developed by Jeep in collaboration with the American winter sports brand K2.
Similar regional special series, such as Snow Trace for Japan or Whitecap for the USA, demonstrate Jeep’s flexible marketing strategy. They allow updating the model range and maintaining buyer interest without significant technical changes, focusing on exclusivity and emotional connection with a certain lifestyle. The limited run and collaborations with well-known active lifestyle brands transform the car from just a means of transport into an attribute of a certain culture, which is often a decisive argument for the target audience.
