by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
From mind to computer, to design, to studio, to concept, to now, finally, a production Hemi engine inside the Jeep Wrangler.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Tuesday officially announced it will bring its Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 concept to life sometime early next year. According to Jeep, it will go from zero to 60 miles an hour in 4.5 seconds, making it the quickest and most powerful Wrangler the brand has ever produced.
While most concept vehicles never pass the one-off stage, Jeep executives made it clear customer demand was the main reason this one cleared that hurdle.
"Why are we doing it?" said Scott Tallon, North American director of Jeep brand marketing for FCA. "Because our customers are doing it anyway."
The last Jeep to offer a production V-8 engine was the 1981 CJ7, which featured a 304 cubic-inch set up that pushed out 125 horsepower and 216 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the Jeep Wrangler 392 is a 6.4L beast with 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of trail destroying torque. It is the same V8 currently found in Dodge’s Charger and Challenger series. The vehicle’s moniker is a take off on the engine’s 392 cubic-inch engine.
"That’s what our customers want. That’s what the Wrangler fans have been asking for over and over probably as much as they want bigger tires on these vehicles," said Micky Bly, head of propulsion systems for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Of course, all that power is nice, but as it is a Wrangler, the vehicle still needs to perform off-road. So to handle all those extra horses and torque, designers modified the vehicle’s frame and introduced thicker axle tubes for the wider heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles. The 392 also received Mopar’s 2-inch suspension lift and "specially-tuned high-performance Fox aluminum monotube shocks to maximize handling and comfort," according to FCA.
Meanwhile “front upper control arms and cast-iron steering knuckles take full advantage of the Wrangler Rubicon 392’s power and torque,” Jeep said in its press release, while “Heavy-duty brakes bring the Wrangler Rubicon 392 to a composed stop no matter the terrain.”
Overall, the Wrangler 392's approach angle is 44.5 degrees, the departure angle is 37.5 degrees, breakover angle is 22.6 degrees and overall ground clearance sits at 10.3 inches, which isn’t much of a difference over the standard Rubicon edition even with that 2-inch lift. Per Jeep, the 392’s exhaust system and skid plate are what limit this vehicle’s total clearance relative to the standard Rubicon.
Speaking of the specially-designed dual exhaust, it is linked to a button on the interior center stack that will toggle between two modes, quiet and loud, so owners can tone down that hearty growl when driving in town or neighborhoods.
The Wrangler 392 will also utilize the same 8HP75 automatic transmission offered in the Wrangler Rubicon diesel edition, with the ability to shift using paddles located on the steering wheel, and it will hook up to a Selec-trac full-time four-wheel-drive system featuring automatic, high, neutral and low modes.
Per Jeep, the normal Rubicon Rock-trac transfer case was not required in this edition, nor was 4.10 gearing because of new shifting strategies and torque converter controls. However, like any Wrangler, it is upgradable should owners want a different gear ratio, or to perform a host of other modifications.
Up front, the Wrangler 392 has a giant scoop embedded into the hood to help feed air into the intake, while specially placed drains keep water from seeping into that intake manifold. Additionally, Jeep’s newly designed Hydro-Glide air intake system can handle 15 gallons of water per minute over the hood, allowing the 392 to traverse water up to 32.5 inches deep. A secondary air intake path means the SUV can still hit top speed if the functional hood scoop is covered in snow or mud, FCA said.
Other changes to this vehicle include an off-road plus mode which lets the rear axle lock at high speeds in four-wheel-high, similar to what the Gladiator Mojave offers, as well as bronze 392 badging on the leather interior, bronze exterior emblems, bronze-painted tow hooks and larger Gladiator-type grille openings for additional cooling.
Also, Mopar’s new half-doors will make their first appearance for the JL-generation Wrangler.
A set of 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels will arrive standard on the 392, and they are wrapped with standard 33-inch BFGoodrich K02 all-terrain tires. Falken mud terrain tires are an option for those who want something a little more off-road centric.
Inside, the 392 offers leather seating with bronze stitching to match the exterior's bronze accents, and it comes standard with an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Jeep's Off-Road Pages, which display information including pitch and roll, GPS coordinates, and power distribution.
"With all of the hype behind the upcoming Ford Bronco, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is the perfect way for Jeep to regain the spotlight,” said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions. “Combining the corporate monster 6.4L V8 with the extremely capable Wrangler creates a vehicle tailor-made for headlines and magazine covers.
”Nobody buys a Wrangler to take to the drag strip, but the undeniable sound of the Hemi under the hood of the most traditional of Jeeps will have the faithful lining up for every one that will roll off of the assembly line."
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is expected into dealerships early in 2021, and will only be available in the four-door edition. FCA has not released the vehicle’s pricing.
