Timing Is Everything: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392… Concept

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

There’s nothing coincidental about the timing of this vehicle’s release. Alas, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept is exactly that, a concept, though Fiat Chrysler’s off-road brand strongly hints that it will become a reality one day.

That confirmation, if it is forthcoming, will take place long after the debut of a vehicle this concept is meant to fight: the Ford Bronco.

You’ll recall that Jeep raised eyebrows by releasing a teaser shot of the vehicle’s hood on Saturday morning, leading car watchers to deduce that Jeep planned to battle its rival’s new off-roader with a muscular Wrangler boasting horsepower the Bronco couldn’t top. And that ncould still be the plan.

Jeep claims the concept is “an indication” that fans who’ve demanded a V8-powered Wrangler for years “may soon get their wish.” Better follow through on that suggestion, Jeep.

With a detuned 6.4-liter Hemi under hood (450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, vs the stock 6.4L’s 485 hp/475 lb-ft), the Rubicon 392 Concept further beefs up the package with Dana 44 axles, electronic locking differentials, a full-time two-speed transfer case, and a 2-inch lift courtesy of Mopar’s vast catalog of Jeep Performance Parts. Suspension enhancements include Fox monotube shocks, with more terrain-tackling capacity attained via 37-inch mud-and-snow tires wrapped around 17-inch beadlock wheels. A beefed-up eight-speed automatic doles out the power.

Externally, the concept sets itself apart from other Wrangler Unlimiteds with a power bulge hood and air scoop, shaved fenders, and half doors. There’ll be plenty of side curtain acreage to stash when the power fold-down top gets put to use.

But it’s still a concept, and on a day where a very real off-road vehicle will see the light of day at Ford, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 comes across as a cynical diversionary tactic, even if it does one day enter production.

Which isn’t to say this concept isn’t both cool and desirable.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Jul 13, 2020

    If I can hear the tire noise from your vehicle from inside my vehicle, with my windows up, a/c on and music playing, then your life has achieved a level of significance which should show all those naysayers once and for all (including your dad, wherever he is). [Well done, young man. Now what will you drive next?]

  • MrIcky MrIcky on Jul 13, 2020

    On the jeep boards, it really is pretty much the number 1 thing requested - maybe not the 392 specifically- but put a v8 in it. Should be interesting to see what the the actual take rate would be on this vs what you read in the forums. Personally, it seems like the diesel would tick all my boxes.

    • Lorenzo Lorenzo on Jul 14, 2020

      The Wrangler has a diesel option, the 3.0 eco-diesel V6. It's only available on the Unlimited 4-door, but over 400 lb-ft of torque is nothing to sneeze at. You'll have to drive with one arm and one leg, because that's what it will cost you.

  • CanadaCraig You can just imagine how quickly the tires are going to wear out on a 5,800 lbs AWD 2024 Dodge Charger.
  • Luke42 I tried FSD for a month in December 2022 on my Model Y and wasn’t impressed.The building-blocks were amazing but sum of the all of those amazing parts was about as useful as Honda Sensing in terms of reducing the driver’s workload.I have a list of fixes I need to see in Autopilot before I blow another $200 renting FSD. But I will try it for free for a month.I would love it if FSD v12 lived up to the hype and my mind were changed. But I have no reason to believe I might be wrong at this point, based on the reviews I’ve read so far. [shrug]. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about it once I get to test it.
  • FormerFF We bought three new and one used car last year, so we won't be visiting any showrooms this year unless a meteor hits one of them. Sorry to hear that Mini has terminated the manual transmission, a Mini could be a fun car to drive with a stick.It appears that 2025 is going to see a significant decrease in the number of models that can be had with a stick. The used car we bought is a Mk 7 GTI with a six speed manual, and my younger daughter and I are enjoying it quite a lot. We'll be hanging on to it for many years.
  • Oberkanone Where is the value here? Magna is assembling the vehicles. The IP is not novel. Just buy the IP at bankruptcy stage for next to nothing.
  • Jalop1991 what, no Turbo trim?
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