The Wrangler Rubicon 392 is not merely a buffed-up Jeep with tweaked cosmetics, and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted as it’s the baddest, the most capable and has the largest powertrain in the line-up. That’s correct, the Rubicon 392 doesn’t get the V6 engine under the hood, rather the massive mind-boggling 6.4-liter V8 mammoth. Purists may find this as an unnecessary move by Jeep going against the philosophy of the company and focusing on the vehicle’s performance, but the iconic automobile manufacturer has also upped the ante in the off-roading department. In these new normal times, who are we to criticize this decision, rather let’s find out what the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is all about.
The Baddest Wrangler On The Planet
Jeep has managed to fire up the afterburners with a 470 hp V8 behemoth as it does 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and a quarter-mile in 13 seconds. Believe it or not, these figures plonk it into the sports car territory. The Rubicon 392 is 40 per cent faster than the 285 hp 3.6-liter V6 Wrangler Rubicon. The V8 engine doesn’t just flex its muscles and looks great on paper with impressive numbers, it packs quite a punch as almost 75 per cent of the peak torque is available at a mere tap of the accelerator pedal, making this off-roader propel like a missile from the word go. With 470 Ib-ft of torque, prepare yourself to experience the bonnet rising up due to the raw thrust of power, but Jeep has ensured that the Rubicon 392 doesn’t suffer from any wheel spin as the 4-wheel drive system neutralizes this.
The Rubicon 392 comes standard with a dual-pipe exhaust system that gets a quad exhaust tailpipe. This system also plays some serious acoustics, with a help of a button you can wake up the neighbors with a loud roar or keep the decibels down to a minimum. As invigorating as the note is, this is all possible due to the smart exhaust system that automatically opens the valves and plays the soundtrack according to your mood.
Don’t be fooled by the colossal cast-iron cylinder block, this V8 engine comes with state-of-the-art technology like keeping fuel efficiency in check. When the motor isn’t required to be working on full load, then the cylinder deactivation mode kicks in and the V8 transforms into a fuel-sipping four-cylinder engine. Jeep calls this system the Fuel Saver Technology. This is ideal when you’re cruising on the highway. In case you’re wondering whether it will burn a huge hole in your wallet when the engine is running on full flow, then you don’t have to worry as Jeep has installed a high-performance pump that keeps a strict check on the V8’s liberal drinking habits, especially on challenging conditions.
So, did the Wrangler Rubicon really need a V8 heart? The word need might not be correct, but rather many Jeep loyalists wanted a factory-ready torquey Wrangler that offers a responsive pickup that enables their vehicle to easily overtake on the freeway and at the same time have the torque, traction and control for climbing mountains.
Here’s an interesting trivia, the V8 power unit officially returns to the Wrangler stable after a gap of nearly 40 years. Of course, there have always been numerous after-market V8 versions, but Jeep hasn’t officially rolled out one in a long time. So, what forced Jeep’s hand? Could it be the return of a certain Ford Bronco, or the firm is simply answering the prayers of enthusiasts wanting a V8 Wrangler Rubicon? We let you decide that.
Off-Road Grit
To work in sync with 470 ft-Ibs of torque, the Rubicon 392 is mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission that ensures the power is usable for both on and off-road activities. For the first, a Wrangler comes with new steering-wheel-mounted aluminum paddle shifters and with the help of software, this electronic gearbox adjusts its shift patterns based on several inputs it receives from different driving conditions including rock crawling. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 gets a permanent 4-wheel-drive system and has four driving modes — 4WD Auto, 4WD High, Neutral, 4WD Low. It also comes with the legendary traction control modes —Off-road Plus, with Sand and Rock modes.
Tech Wizardry Of Hydro-Guide
The all-powerful Rubicon's bonnet scoop helps the power plant to improve its performance and keep its temperature down. In case of extreme weather circumstances or driving surroundings, if the bonnet scoop gets blocked by snow or debris, the Wrangler gets an additional inbuilt air column in the bonnet that offers air for the engine. A common worry every hardcore off-roading enthusiast has is what if there’s too much water, especially mud, or even a bow wave sweeping past the hood and gets sucked into the scoop which could lead to the engine damage. One can keep their mind at ease as the specialists in Jeep have come up with a smart technology called Hydro-Guide air intake system that diverts the water and drains it out through three outlets. This way, Jeep also manages to avert any chances of hydro-locking. Due to this new system, the Rubicon 392 can traverse water up to 32 inches deep without a worry. With so much power and capability, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 starts from MSRP $74,640.