Rubicon roundup: jeep's revamped Wrangler rules on the infamous Rubicon Trail.

As a Jeep owner myself, I've traversed my share of rugged terrain. But when Jeep invited me to drive its all-new, reengineered 2007 Jeep Wrangler over the notoriously difficult Rubicon Trail in the mountains above Lake Tahoe, Calif., I knew I was in for my biggest rush yet. Just getting there was a challenge.

Jeep shuttled its guests and all our gear to the Rubicon Springs base camp by helicopter. Even the portable toilets got a helicopter ride. At camp I joined volunteers from Western-state Jeep clubs, fellow journalists, and corporate reps--including Jeep's CEO and his son--for an open-air barbecue. I figured I was here among these straight men to represent, so I made sure to remind the Jeep folks how many LGBT off-roaders belong to Jeep clubs across the United States. As night fell, our cook sang cowboy songs next to the fire before we drifted off to our individual tents to bed down.

We started driving the next morning at 6. Right away I could feel the Jeep returning to its center of gravity more quickly and with less bounce than the previous model. Many new design factors were at work: The new Wrangler adds five inches in length and 4.6 inches in hip room; larger wheels and tires; increased ground clearance; enhanced axles and suspension; and electric locking differentials. An electric sway bar disconnect system is optional. When I drove off camber, tilting far left or right, or climbed so steeply that all I could see was sky, I was confident that the Jeep would keep its footing. I won't say there weren't suspenseful moments, but between us we did fine.

Back in camp, we heard more about the 2007 redesign, from the base Wrangler X to the Sahara to the top-of-the-line Rubicon (named for the trail, naturally). There's even a new four-door Unlimited model. Jeep started this process by seeking feedback from Wrangler owners, who said, "Make updates, but don't change the Wranglers personality." By and large, Jeep has hit both marks. On-road comfort and capability are improved throughout: A new V-6 engine replaces the classic straight-6, increasing horsepower to 205 and offering a quieter ride, smoother throttle control, and somewhat increased mileage. The new tops and doors offer hundreds of combinations, from fully enclosed to totally open.

A host of safety features has been added, including new crumple zones and supplemental side air bags. A new interior features a luxe audio system, a full-screen navigation system (in Sahara and Rubicon models), and available power windows and locks (I almost fell out of the Jeep when I saw these). OK, so maybe the interior looks a bit more plastic than I'd like. But Wranglers are meant to get seriously dirty. It's good to know that despite the amenities, the new generation still has drain plugs in the floor.