A few months back, I got the chance to see the Jeep Wrangler 392 Concept in person at a media event in NYC, and there was no question in my mind that this bad boy was coming to market sooner than later, as it looked pretty much production ready. And let me tell you, this bruiser of a Jeep looked (and sounded) freaking incredible!
Fast forward to yesterday, when Jeep made it official, introducing the world to the mighty 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, the most capable and powerful Wrangler yet. Under the hood, a potent 6.4-liter V-8 engine that delivers an impressive 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, mated to a crisp-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 rockets from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds, and crosses the quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat. Thankfully, top speed is tire-limited to 99 mph, as I don’t know that it’d be smart hitting triple-digit speeds while riding on 33-inch tires. Still, this is way faster than the twin-turbo V-6-powered Ford Bronco with 310HP and 400 lb-ft of torque.
If Ford comes through with their rumored Bronco Raptor/Warthog, it doesn’t look like it would be that hard to fit the Hellcat’s supercharger and intercoolers in the engine bay and kick things up to the 600HP+ range. Ludicrous? Yes, but this is the same company that’s given us the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and Dodge Durango Hellcat after all.
Away from the pavement, the Trail Rated Wrangler Rubicon 392’s potent powertrain meshes with heavy-duty wide track Dana 44 front and rear axles with thicker axle tubes and Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials, 3.73 final drive ratio, transmission torque converter lockup control, and standard 33-inch tires on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels.
An electronic front sway-bar disconnect maximizes suspension travel for the most demanding off-road conditions. Augmenting the Jeep’s proven five-link front and rear suspension, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 comes with a 2-inch factory lift and is fitted with specially-tuned high-performance FOX aluminum monotube shocks to maximize handling and comfort.
The result is the most capable Jeep Wrangler ever with 10.3-in of ground clearance; improved suspension articulation and maneuverability; approach, breakover and departure angles of 44.5°, 22.6° and 37.5° respectively; and the ability to traverse up to 32.5 inches of water. Jeep engineers put it to the test, with the Wrangler Rubicon 392 confidently climbing up and down steep grades with minimal throttle and brake input.
Visually, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 stands apart with bronze accents throughout (bronze traces “Rubicon” on the hood, covers the front and rear tow hooks, along with outlining the Jeep badge, the Trail Rated badge, and the FOX Shocks decal). There’s also “392” badges on the 40mm raised hood, and distinctive quad exhaust outlets in the rear.
“This is the most powerful, quickest, most capable Jeep Wrangler we’ve ever built,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA North America. “The factory lift and abundant low-end torque from the V-8 makes the Rubicon 392 the king of the hills, whether you’re rock crawling at low speeds or powering up an incline. And, when pavement replaces dirt, Rubicon 392 makes quick work of the road.”
Pricing for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 hasn’t been announced yet, but if you consider that the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited we reviewed clocked in at nearly $60K, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rubicon 392 to start in the mid-to-high $60K range. That’s not exactly cheap, but having the most bad-ass Jeep on the block comes at a price.
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is slated to go on sale in the first quarter of 2021, with pricing and additional details to be released closer to the launch date.
What do you think of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392?
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