Smooth spin on rough Wrangler

The interior of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler is upgraded to feature a modern-looking dash, enhanced ergonomics and improved cabin materials. Photo / Supplied

The Jeep Wrangler, America's famous mud-slinger, will come with a fresh new interior design that boasts a range of comfort and convenience upgrades when it goes on sale in New Zealand early next year.

The rough-and-tumble Wrangler has made a living on its serious off-road ability, forgoing many creature comforts in the pursuit of a rugged image. But Jeep is making changes to the four-wheel-drive as it prepares to go into production in the United States.

The differences may be hard to spot from a few metres away but get a little closer and you'll notice an entirely new interior, say US reports.

With a modern-looking dash, enhanced ergonomics, smoother edges and improved cabin materials, plus steering wheel cruise and audio controls - a first for the Wrangler - the tough 4WD will now be a lot easier to live with.

"The [Wrangler] boasts an all-new interior that delivers a host of comfort, convenience and versatility features," says Mike Manley, CEO of Chrysler Group. Some of those features include a lockable console, an updated instrument panel and a redesigned centre console.

Better quality materials are used at major touch points, such as the door armrests and the steering wheel, the latter of which now has audio, cruise control and hands-free phone controls.

Chrysler says the new Wrangler also offers improved rearward vision, thanks to larger rear windows, and improved acoustic damping materials that reduce outside noise, making the cabin quieter. Other interior additions include a USB interface as part of the Wrangler's new media centre, which also adds streaming Bluetooth audio.

Twelve-volt accessory outlets have been added and, for US models, a new 110-volt outlet is available, similar to AC outlets in the home.

In line with traditional Jeep design, hex-head bolts are used throughout the interior to mount a "Jeep, Since 1941" inlay on to the new passenger grab handle.