- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
An Insider Says the V-8 Jeep Wrangler 392 Is Headed For Production
It's not just a concept. It's happening, for real.
www.roadandtrack.com
"The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is headed into production, according to a source inside Jeep. The company has apparently produced 30 V-8 Wrangler prototypes at the Toledo, Ohio Wrangler plant—something our source says would not happen for a one-off concept.
That means we'll likely see a V-8-powered Wrangler Rubicon in Jeep dealerships sometime soon, perhaps making the same 450 hp and 450 lb-ft as the concept shown above. Our source—who told us about the vehicle in detail before Jeep published any information about the Wrangler Rubicon 392 concept—says the V-8 Wrangler will also have Fox internal-bypass racing shocks, like those found on the Gladiator Mojave. Like the concept, the production-bound Jeep will have a lifted suspension with beadlock-capable wheels.
Combined with Rubicon hardware like locking diffs, steel bumpers, and knobby tires, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 will focus more on off-road prowess and power than about street performance. Still, Jeep says the concept Wrangler does 0-60 in under five seconds, mighty swift for a solid-axle 4x4.
A spokesperson for Jeep declined to comment on whether the automaker would typically build 30 examples of a pure concept vehicle, whether it's typical to build concept vehicles on the standard production line, or whether Jeep has plans for a production Wrangler Rubicon 392.
Our source could not speculate as to when the Wrangler 392 would enter production, though they did confirm that the prototypes were built shortly after the plant reopened following the coronavirus shutdown. Pricing information is unknown, but seeing as how an EcoDiesel Wrangler Rubicon will push $60,000, figure that V-8 power won't come cheap."
