Jeep Wrangler V8 previewed
Hemi 6.4-litre V8 destined for either Wrangler or Gladiator as US brand previews Jeep with '392' badge on bonnetJeep is working on a flagship V8-powered Wrangler and Gladiator to help it compete with more expensive Mercedes-AMG G 63 and head off a potential Raptor version of the upcoming Ford Bronco.
Look closely at this pic recently released by Jeep via its social media channels and you'll spot a blurred '392' badge on what looks like a large power bulge on the bonnet of a Wrangler.
That signifies the same 392 cubic-inch (6.4-litre) Hemi V8 that's seen in SRT versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300 (not Fiat Chrysler's supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat V8) and it's expected to pump out around 358kW.
As well as helping Jeep compete against more expensive machinery, it's thought another motivating factor for the first V8 factory Wrangler is the rising number of JL Wrangler owners who are paying third-party engineering firms to swap their 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder and 3.6-litre V6 petrol engines for more powerful V8s.
Senior execs have in the past confirmed the 6.4-litre engine would fit in the engine bay of the Wranler, but voiced concerns the larger V8 could affect both the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator's crash test performance.
It's thought the US car-maker might now have engineered a solution to overcome those problems.
There's no word on when Jeep plans to unveil its first Wrangler V8 -- let alone release it in Australia -- but the cynical side of us suspects the timing of this teaser is designed to overshadow this week's launch of Ford's new Wrangler rival, the all-new Bronco 4x4.
That suggests a V8-powered Wrangler or Gladiator could still be some way off.
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