Celebrating 80+ Years: The 2025 Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 Special Edition

In July 1940, the U.S. military issued a challenge that would change automotive history. From that challenge emerged the Willys MB, a vehicle that would define reliability, capability, and purpose-driven design for generations. Now, more than eight decades later, the 2025 Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 special edition pays tribute to this remarkable legacy while pointing toward an electrified future.

The Original Legend

The original military specification called for an unprecedented light reconnaissance vehicle weighing under 590 kilograms and with a wheelbase shorter than 1,905 millimetres. It needed to carry 272 kilograms, maintain speeds from 5 to 80 kilometres per hour, and feature a fold-down windshield. Willys-Overland took on this challenge, eventually producing nearly 360,000 vehicles at its Toledo plant between October 1941 and August 1945.

War correspondent Ernie Pyle famously described the original Willys MB as faithful as a dog, strong as a mule, and agile as a goat. This versatile vehicle consistently carried double its designed capacity while maintaining reliability in the harshest conditions. The name "Jeep" became synonymous with rugged capability, whether it originated from the military GP designation or the popular Popeye cartoon character.

Eight Decades of Evolution

The journey from military workhorse to modern special edition spans dramatic technological advancement. The original "Go Devil" engine, revolutionary for its time, has evolved into a sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain. Through this evolution, the fundamental principles of capability, versatility, and rugged dependability remained constant, guiding each generation of development.

The transition from wartime necessity to civilian icon began even before World War II ended, with Willys producing the civilian CJ-2A. This marked the beginning of a continuous lineage that would eventually lead to the modern Wrangler, each iteration maintaining core elements of the original design while incorporating contemporary innovations.

Modern Tribute Features

The 2025 Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 honours its predecessor through thoughtful design elements that bridge past and present. The military olive drab-inspired '41 exterior paint creates an immediate visual connection to its heritage. Period-correct Drab Blue hood-side decals replicate the original military specification stenciling, while exclusive 17-inch aluminum wheels finished in matching olive drab complete the historical tribute.

Inside, the special edition features a unique tan interior with Heritage cloth seats and an olive drab fabric dashboard insert. These elements recall military utility while providing modern comfort. The '41 shifter medallion serves as a constant reminder of the vehicle's historical significance, connecting daily drives to an enduring legacy.

Future-Forward Heritage

Perhaps the most significant evolution appears in the powertrain. The 4xe plug-in hybrid system represents a dramatic technological leap from the original Willys MB, delivering 4.8Le/100km efficiency and up to 35 kilometres of all-electric range. This advanced system, which has made the Wrangler 4xe the bestselling plug-in hybrid in its class for three consecutive years, demonstrates how heritage and innovation can coexist.

The special edition maintains practical capability through features like standard front and rear steel bumpers and a rear locker, proving that modern technology need not compromise traditional Jeep attributes. Multiple roof options, including a body-colour hardtop and an upcoming tan soft top, provide the open-air freedom that has been a Jeep hallmark since 1941.

The 2025 Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 special edition, starting at $72,290, arrives at Canadian dealerships before year's end. This model represents more than just a tribute to the past; it embodies the continuous evolution of an automotive legend. From the battlefields of World War II to the electric revolution of the 21st century, the spirit of the original Willys MB lives on, proving that true legends never fade—they evolve.

The Willys '41 special edition proves eight decades of innovation, showing how far automotive technology has advanced while honouring the straightforward design and rugged versatility that made the original a legend. It reminds us that progress does not come at the expense of heritage; instead, it can be enhanced and celebrated.