Spy Photos Confirm Stick Shift in 2018 Jeep Wrangler

New spy photos have revealed that the Jeep Wrangler will keep its six-speed manual transmission. 

A new prototype has been spied sporting a six-speed stick shift, though the redesigneded shift knob suggests that it could be an all-new unit, especially considering reverse has been moved to the top left position. An eight-speed automatic will also be available.

Availability of the manual will likely mirror the current Wrangler, with only lower end models powered by the 3.6-liter V6 having the option to shift your own gears. A new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is also rumored to be joining the lineup, which could also be paired with the manual.

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Jeep has confirmed that the new Wrangler will be offered with a diesel powertrain, likely the 3.0-liter unit found in the current Jeep Grand Cherokee, along with a hybrid powertrains sometime in the future. The manual is unlikely to be paired with a manual.

Shedding pounds is being prioritized by the new Wrangler, which will begin to use more aluminum to keep its heft down.

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