The Jeep® brand has been on a roll this year despite the ongoing pandemic. The iconic American 4×4 brand has launched its electrified Renegade and Compass 4xe plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in the European market, gave us a preview of its upcoming offering for the full-size premium 4×4 segment with the Grand Wagoneer PHEV Concept, teased us with a 392 HEMI V8-powered four-door Wrangler Rubicon concept, as well as pulling back the covers on its electrified option on its Wrangler Unlimited 4xe models. Now, the Jeep brand has announced it will unveil another new product on Tuesday, November 17th.
Earlier this morning, Jeep gave us its biggest hint of the vehicle it intends to unveil in an Instagram post. The post states “Get Dirty Faster”, with a subtext stating “Some concepts are so powerful they storm into reality. Production model shown. Available 2021”.
Shown as the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 Concept shown back in July, the Rubicon 392 Concept was originally scheduled to make its debut at the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari, before Jeep and Mopar pulled out of the event amid several states issuing lockdown orders. Instead, the model was present through a press release with only a couple of photos and a short B-Roll video.
It didn’t take long after the announcement of the concept vehicle, that our eagle-eyed spy photographers caught several Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon models with numerous parts that were shared with the concept vehicle on public roads around the Metro Detroit area. These prototypes featured hoods from the Gladiator Mojave, however, different internals in the hood scoops appear to make the scoops fully functional. These models also featured 17-inch Beadlock-capable wheels, aggressive tires, and rear exiting dual exhaust with quad exhaust tips, just like the concept.
Originally called the “Apache” (named after the codename of the 6.4-liter 392-cubic-inch HEMI V8), the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is internally known as the “J9” according to our sources. The production Rubicon 392 is powered by the 6.4-liter HEMI, just like the concept. In concept form, the HEMI delivered 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque and was mated to an 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission. A set of third-generation Dana 44 axles, a Selec-Track full-time two-speed transfer case and Tru-Lok electric front and rear-axle locking differentials, two-inch suspension lift, aluminum monotube Fox shocks, and two-mode exhaust are also expected to carry over from the concept vehicle.
Jeep claimed that the Rubicon 392 Concept was capable of a 0 to 60 mph time of under 5 seconds. We expect the Rubicon 392 to put down very similar numbers.
In recent days, the Mopar brand posted a picture of a near production-spec Hydro Blue colored Rubicon 392 (that looked identical to the black painted ones we have featured) wearing 392 badges similar to the concept model blasting through the sand on Mopar’s Instagram page. That picture was then taken down as it was only placed on for a limited time.
With the U.S. election not yet being called, a lot of people are questioning the Biden/Harris policies and the future of the automotive industry, and the electrification of future vehicles. It leads us to think will the Rubicon 392 be just a limited run vehicle? Is it enough to steal some of the new 2021 Ford Bronco’s hype? Let us know in our MoparInsiders.com forums.
