The Jeep Wrangler is the kind of vehicle to elicit strong emotions from buyers, giving to its legendary beginnings as a war machine and continued reputation for being reliable and rugged. This has made the Wrangler an icon of sorts, with devoted fans that will spend untold sums not just in parts for their rides, but high-priced pieces of swag and memorabilia too.
But while an original Jeep grille might run a few hundred bucks on eBay, this detailed 1/8th scale replica of a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the ultimate expression of Wrangler loyalty. Even more impressive than the level of detail in this $2,300 toy from Capo Racing is the fact that everything works, perhaps even better than it does in a real Wrangler.
Seriously, the amount of effort that went into making a working suspension, Pentastar V6, and even dashboard answers the question of why this Wrangler “toy” costs more than a week at Disneyworld. It features a real body-on-frame design with working steering (connected by a non-stock steel cable), and even features a three-speed transmission with locking differentials and a transfer case so you can switch between rear and four-wheel drive.
This remote control Wrangler is all-electric, a path Fiat-Chrysler dares not take the real Wrangler down yet. Powered by an 11.1 volt 3S Li-Po battery pack, the 18-pound model still has enough power to go up a 60-degree slope with a 48-degree departure angle. This ridiculously over-engineered toy may cost almost a month’s salary for many Americans, but for Wrangler owners it’s about what they’d spend on a new set of chunky off-road tires and fresh rims.