Recently, the Jeep® brand launched the wild Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept in preparation to steal some of the limelight away from the upcoming 2021 Ford Bronco. While the all-new Bronco arrives on the scene with some awesome new features to take on the Wrangler, it still will only be powered by turbocharged inline-four and V6 offerings.
Currently, the Wrangler offers a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with engine stop-start (ESS), 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with mild-hybrid e-Torque technology, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder, and the stump-pulling third-generation 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. But now thanks to recent spy photos, it looks like the Jeep brand is answering many enthusiasts’ wishes by stuffing the 6.4-liter 392 cubic-inch HEMI V8 into the Wrangler.
These first photos showing the off-road icon wearing a similar performance hood and aggressive looking set of Beadlock wheels, just like the concept. According to our sources, the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio has already manufactured several of the SUVs for testing indicating that Jeep is serious about bringing this vehicle to market.
In concept form, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept delivers 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 0-60 mph time of fewer than five seconds. That is pretty awesome numbers for the boxy body-on-frame off-roader. According to Jeep, the concept features an 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4×4 transfer case to improve overall drivability, and massive amounts of low-end torque allow for a 3.73 gear ratio, which delivers improved highway efficiency and a greater range of off-road capability.
It all adds another piece to Wrangler arsenal to tackle the new Bronco threat. But it is enough?
Putting a V8 in the iconic off-roader would mean the first-time that a V8 would be offered in the lineup since the 1981 Jeep® CJ, with its 5.0-liter V-8 that delivered 125 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. Now, if we can only hope for a Gladiator version next.
2021 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 Spy Photos:
