First Look: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

Jeep has put its money where its mouth is and have added even more power and ability to their Wrangler Rubicon model by adding a mighty 6.4-litre, V8 hemi engine to the mix.

The addition of the 392 engine hikes the horsepower to a formidable 470 and ups the torque to 470 lb-ft. This combination helps rocket the 392 to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds – 40 per cent faster than its V-6 sibling and on up to a top speed of just under 160km/h. The top speed is restricted by the huge and standard 33-inch tires mounted on 17-inch wheels.

But don’t be fooled in by its on-road nimbleness, the Rubicon 392 has had its off-road capabilities raised to new levels making it the quickest, most powerful and most capable off-roader Jeep has ever produced. Fuel economy has also been addressed with cylinder deactivation that will shut down four cylinders when the Jeep is cruising on the highway or operating under light loads.

The new engine is linked to  an eight-speed automatic transmission and, unfortunately, no manual gear box will be offered.



To get the necessary  amount of cool air into the engine compartment Jeep engineers have borrowed the hood, with its functional air scoop, from the Gladiator Mojave and have introduced a secondary airflow that will ensure enough cooling is still available even when the main scoop is obstructed by debris or snow.

To enable the Rubicon 392 to ford up to 82.5 cm (32.5-inches) the body has been raised by about five cm (two-inches) and now includes a Hydro-Guide air intake system that has integrated draining points on all three ducts as well as a one-way drain mounted in the airbox that can separate up to 56.7-litres (15 gallons) per minute from the incoming air. This system allows the 392 to operate normally even when a bow wave it pushed up over the hood.

The 392 also comes with a dual-mode exhaust system that operates  automatically, opening the exhaust valves when the engine is under high loads to reduce back pressure. This can also be engaged manually by the driver by means of a button. The quad exhaust tail pipes make sure that the Rubicon 392 sounds more like a muscle car than a off-roader.

To handle the toughest of off-road conditions the chassis has been substantially strengthened by means of upgraded frame rails and front upper control arms. The front and rear suspension has been upgraded as well that now includes high-performance Fox monotube shocks that have been specifically tuned for the Rubicon 392. The heavy-duty axle tubes have been upgraded and the electronic disconnecting front sway-bar comes as standard. The addition of heavy-duty brakes ensure the Rubicon 392 comes to a stop whether traveling at high speed or traversing some heavy off-road obstacles.



The Wrangler Rubicon 392 is easily differentiated by its aggressive styling and extended trapezoidal wheel flares.

Internally the leather seating is finished off with unique bronze stitching as well as Rubicon 392 emblazoned seat backs. A first for Jeep is the leather wrapped performance steering wheel that include wheel-mounted paddle shifters offering the driver more control over gear shifts.

The 2021 Jeep Rubicon 392 will only be offered in the four-door configuration and will be available for sale in the first quarter of 2021 with pricing being made available closer to the release date.