The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 combines off-road capability with big power under the hood. This is the first time in about 40-years that you can order a new Jeep Wrangler with a V8 under the hood. In this case, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 gets a 6.4-liter V8 (yes it’s a HEMI but not called such, as only Dodge uses that terminology in their marketing) with 470 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. That power is pushed through a full-time 4WD system that accomplishes impressive tasks on and off-road.
The 392 will be offered in the 4-door wrangler format only. The big motor and tans package just didn’t fit to OEM standards in the 2-door Wrangler. While we might all wish for it, there are also no current plans for a V8 Gladiator. No word on a price tag or fuel economy numbers for the 392 Wrangler just yet, but we expect both to be painful. You’ll start seeing 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 hit dealer lots in early 2021.
“This is the most powerful, quickest, most capable Jeep Wrangler we’ve ever built. 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.” -said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA North America.
Jeep V8 Capability & Performance
It’s a Jeep, so let’s talk off-road first. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 offers the best approach and departure angles (44.5 and 37.5 degrees) of any Wrangler from the factory, along with the most suspension articulation, 10.3-inches of ground clearance, and water fording up to 32.5-inches. Add in a strengthened frame, Dana 44s with thicker axle tubes, beefy front upper control arms, cast iron steering knuckles, bigger brakes, a 1-inch lift (above the Rubicon), and monotube FOX shocks and you’ve got a seriously capable package. The Rubicon 392 comes standard with 33-inch AT tires wrapped on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. Of course, 35s will “fit” straight from the factory as well, and this Jeep is just begging for the bigger tires.
On-road this lifted off-road-focused Jeep manages an impressive 4.5-second 0-60 sprint. That is 40-percent faster than a V6 Wrangler Rubicon. The Rubionc 392 also manages a 13-second flat quarter-mile. All this amounts to all kinds of fun whether you’re driving to your kid’s soccer practice, mall-crawling, or headed out to do some 4-wheel drifts in the local snowy parking lot.
Rubicon 392 Daily Driver
Because of all the low-end torque, a 3.73 (instead of 4.10 found on other Rubicons) gear set is used. This keeps engine RPMs down at highway speeds, and overall should help on the fuel economy front. With that said, you don’t buy a 6.4-liter V8 Jeep for fuel economy!
The V8 Wrangler will only be available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Yep, no rowing your own gears with this big motor Jeep. You can however select those 8-gears yourself through the aluminum steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, which come standard on the Wrangler Rubicon 392.
This big motor Wrangler also comes with a quad tailpipe active dual-mode exhaust. What all that means is that this machine sounds and looks as aggressive as it is. If you set the exhaust system to automatic mode and depress the skinny pedal with authority the exhaust note will liven up and is sure to wake the neighbors.
On the outside of this machine, you get the quad tailpipes, some 392 badging, some bronze accents (like the tow hooks), and an aggressive hood borrowed from the Gladiator Mojave. That hood is also hiding an impressive “Tri-level Hydro-Guide” air intake system. Basically, it has a built-in snorkel system that has three inlets, and only needs one inlet for the motor to work at full capacity. The air-box can separate up to 15-gallons of water per minute, meaning that even when the bow wake runs over the hood you should be able to keep this Jeep moving, without having to install a snorkel.
The Wrangler Rubicon 392 is also the first modern Jeep to be offered from the factory with half-doors. While it is the first, this option will be available across all Wrangler later in 2021.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
While there are subtle hints on the exterior of this Wrangler to denote what lies under the hood, the most telling is the Bronze accents inside and out. The Rubicon Wrangler 392 gets a black leather interior with bronze stitching, and that is the only interior option on this model.
Nine exterior colors are available to complement that black interior. You can choose from; Black, Bright White, Firecracker Red, Granite Crystal Metallic, Punk ’n Metallic, Sarge Green Metallic, Snazzberry Metallic, Sting-Gray Metallic, and Billet Silver Metallic.
The updates inside also include integrated upper seat bolsters, new gauge designs, and a performance leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters (similar to what’s in the new RAM TRX).
While the quad exhaust, big hood, and bronze accents are the only telltale exterior ques to what this monster has under the hood, you do get a number of normally optional equipment as standard. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon comes with: Leather interior, Infotainment Group, HD electrical switch bank, Body-color hardtop, Body-color flares, Steel Bumper Group, LED Lighting Group, Cold Weather Group, Remote proximity entry, Safety Group, and Advanced Safety Group.
Most Capable Jeep Wrangler Ever?
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 just might be the most capable factory Jeep ever produced. It’s hard to argue with its long list of standard features and optional upgrades. Big power and all the off-road goodies are hard to compete with. The one Jeep that might give it a run for its money is the 4xE Wrangler. The 4xE is basically the high-tech ying to the big V8s yang. All we know is that we can’t wait to get behind the wheel of both and see who comes out on top.
To stay up to date on all things Wranger be sure to check out Jeep’s configurator HERE.
