Jeep Celebrates Its Legacy with the 2025 Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 Special Edition

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 pays homage to its roots, honoring the iconic, battle-tested Jeep – the legendary 1941 Willys MB

In homage to the iconic and rugged Jeep SUV – the legendary 1941 Willys MB – the Jeep brand is thrilled to unveil the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 special edition.

“After eight decades of establishing a legacy of all-terrain prowess, timeless design, and unmatched durability, the essence of the original Willys MB continues to resonate in every aspect of our work at Jeep,” stated Bob Broderdorf, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. “The new 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 embodies that legacy. It honors our history while fueling our drive to redefine capability and innovation.”

The 2025 Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 also draws inspiration from the cherished Jeep ’41 concept, which captured attention at the 2022 Easter Jeep Safari. This annual off-road gathering in Moab, Utah, serves as a pilgrimage for Jeep aficionados, showcasing concept vehicles that challenge the limits of design and performance, paving the way for future production models.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 showcases a striking new exterior paint in a military olive drab, reminiscent of the iconic Willys MB. This model boasts exclusive 17-inch aluminum wheels, also in this distinctive shade, paired with robust 33-inch all-terrain tires that promise to tackle any terrain with confidence.

To pay tribute to its rich military lineage, the Jeep design team has adorned the hood sides with WILLYS / 4XE decals, crafted in a historically accurate Drab Blue. These decals reflect the original factory stenciling used by the U.S. Army on Willys MBs during World War II, ensuring that the color and design authentically capture the utilitarian essence of that era. Additional Army-inspired decals embellish the exterior, further celebrating the heritage of this remarkable model.

Inside, the Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 features a distinctive interior, complete with tan Heritage cloth seats, an olive drab fabric dashboard insert, and a '41 shifter medallion. For those who crave open-air adventures, a variety of roof options are available, including a body-color hardtop, the innovative Sky One-touch powertop, and an exclusive upcoming tan soft-top. Standard equipment includes a rear locker for improved traction and durable front and rear steel bumpers, enhancing off-road capability and protection.

The Wrangler 4xe, a unique plug-in hybrid, has claimed the title of the best-selling PHEV in America for three consecutive years. This remarkable vehicle is a testament to over 80 years of engineering advancements, tracing its lineage back to the original “Go Devil” engines that powered the Willys MB.

The exclusive 4xe system integrates a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, two electric motors, and a robust high-voltage battery pack, achieving an impressive 49 miles per gallon equivalent and offering 21 miles of all-electric driving without any concerns about range. This innovative powertrain is part of a broader global electrification movement, redefining what it means to be a 4x4.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 special edition is priced at a U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $59,930, not including a $1,895 destination charge. Orders are now being accepted for this model, along with the entire 2025 Jeep Wrangler lineup, which will be available in Jeep dealerships before the year concludes.

In July 1940, the U.S. military reached out to automobile manufacturers, signaling its need for a “light reconnaissance vehicle.” A call went out to 135 companies to submit bids for production, accompanied by an extensive list of specifications. The requirements included a load capacity of 600 pounds, a wheelbase shorter than 75 inches, a height under 36 inches, an engine capable of smooth operation between 3 and 50 mph, a rectangular body shape, four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, a foldable windshield, three bucket seats, blackout and driving lights, and a total vehicle weight not exceeding 1,300 pounds.

Three firms, including Willys-Overland, the precursor to Jeep, responded enthusiastically. They quickly crafted prototypes for evaluation, delivering them to the Army by November 1940 at Camp Holabird in Maryland. Although all three designs surpassed the Army's weight limit of 1,300 pounds, it soon became clear that this threshold was unrealistic, prompting an increase for future vehicle rounds.

In March 1941, the Army issued new contracts, requesting Willys-Overland to produce 1,500 units of its Quad model. Following further testing and assessment, the Army chose the Willys design as its standard vehicle. A production contract was finalized on July 15, 1941.

With subsequent modifications, the Willys Quad evolved into the MA and later the MB, but it became widely known as the Jeep. The origins of the name are debated; some suggest it derived from the slurred pronunciation of “GP,” the military term for “general purpose,” while others attribute it to a character named Eugene the Jeep from the Popeye comic strip. Regardless of its roots, the name became ingrained in American culture.

Between October 1941 and August 1945, Willys-Overland manufactured nearly 360,000 Jeep vehicles at its Toledo, Ohio, facility. Renowned WWII journalist Ernie Pyle famously remarked, "It did everything. It went everywhere. Was as faithful as a dog, as strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat. It constantly carried twice what it was designed for and still kept going." Willys secured the trademark for the Jeep name and, even before the conclusion of World War II, commenced production of the brand's inaugural civilian model, the CJ-2A.

Nick Cavanaugh | @Car_Sick_Nick | All Roads Lead to The Motor City