2021 Jeep Wrangler 392: V8 off-roader confirmed for production

The off-road war between Jeep and Ford is heating up – and Jeep has reached for the heavy artillery.

The legendary Wrangler is getting a V8 engine for the first time since 1981, as Jeep pushes to put the new Bronco and its flagship EcoBoost V6 in the shade.

Confirmed overnight on Instagram, Jeep is putting into production the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 concept. It’ll launch early next year in the USA.

Timing for a potential Australian launch is unconfirmed – CarExpert has contacted Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for more information.

There’s no word on whether a Gladiator ute with the same V8 engine will follow the related Wrangler.

Unveiled earlier this year, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept featured a 6.4-litre V8 with 336kW of power and 610Nm of torque hooked up to an eight-speed automatic and a full-time 4×4 system with a two-speed transfer case.

Pedal to the metal, the Rubicon 392 had a claimed 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of less than five seconds.

More importantly for Jeep fans, the concept carried the Trail Rated designation, and featured a glut of modifications aimed at improving off-road ability including Dana 44 axles, electric front and rear differential locks, and a 2.0-inch lift kit including new springs and shocks.

With its 337mm of ground clearance, the Rubicon 392 can ford water up to 864mm deep. The concept rode on 17-inch bead lock wheels shod with 37-inch mud-terrain tyres.

When it goes into production, the Wrangler 392 will be the first Wrangler will be offered with a V8 engine since the 1981 Jeep CJ, which was available with a 5.0-litre V8 making 93kW of power and 298Nm of torque.

Jeep isn’t alone in slotting a good old-fashioned V8 engine into its most famous off-roader. Land Rover has been snapped testing a V8 Defender, teeing up a tantalising twin test for 2021.