Jeep Wrangler Whitecap: the winter special edition celebrating 85 years of pure 4×4 legend

Jeep unveils the Wrangler Whitecap in the United States, a special-edition model with classic styling that pays tribute to the brand’s heritage and reinforces the iconic character of the world’s most famous off-roader.

The Jeep Wrangler Whitecap is the latest special edition through which the American brand continues its “Twelve for Twelve” campaign, a programme designed to celebrate Jeep’s 85th anniversary in 2026 with exclusive monthly releases. Following the debut of the Moab 392, it is now time for a winter-inspired variant aimed squarely at the US market. Based exclusively on the Sahara and Rubicon trims, the Whitecap is unlikely to make its way across the Atlantic.

A white-themed design with classic Jeep cues

The Whitecap’s defining feature is immediately obvious: the Arctic White hardtop, which contrasts with the bodywork and reinforces its winter-ready aesthetic. The entire styling package draws direct inspiration from the historic CJ-Universal, featuring a Gloss White front grille, body-coloured fender flares and specific side decals on the bonnet. As an option, buyers can also specify a white power sunroof, an unusual and distinctive touch for the Wrangler that underlines the exclusivity of this edition.

In the United States, the Whitecap is offered as an optional package with pricing that varies by trim. For the Rubicon X, prices start at $495, covering only the grille and decals. The Sahara version rises to $2,690, including the white hardtop, while the Rubicon reaches $3,185, adding body-coloured fender flares. This approach allows for different levels of visual enhancement without altering the vehicle’s mechanical foundations.

Mechanically, the Wrangler Whitecap retains the non-electrified US powertrain lineup. Buyers can choose between the 272 hp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine or the more traditional 290 hp 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. It is a deliberately purist configuration that reinforces the model’s off-road focus and stays true to the Wrangler’s original DNA, far removed from the electrification trends seen elsewhere.

In Europe, the Wrangler follows a different strategy, with the 272 hp 2.0 turbo and the powerful 380 hp 4xe plug-in hybrid, better aligned with current regulations. For now, there are no plans to bring the Whitecap to the Old Continent, a decision that will disappoint fans of special editions and classic Jeep styling. It is a shame, because the Wrangler Whitecap proves that, even in the electric age, heritage, design and character remain powerful selling points.