V8 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 breaks cover

Jeep has pulled the drapes off the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, its fastest, most powerful Wrangler of all time that lifts its HEMI V8 from the Grand Cherokee SRT.

Under the bonnet of the Land Rover Defender-rivalling Jeep, the 6.4-litre V8 produces a thumping 351kW and 637Nm of torque, sending it all down to the dirt via an eight-speed automatic transmission and Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel drive system.

The Wrangler Rubicon 392 can hit 100km/h from standstill in just 4.5 seconds, with the US 4x4-maker claiming it can reach the quarter mile in 13 seconds flat.

That sort of performance puts the powerful Wrangler on par with more expensive rivals like the $250K Mercedes-AMG G 63.

As well as fast, the V8 Wrangler is sure to be seriously loud. So loud in fact, engineers had to develop a dual-mode exhaust with a quiet setting for urban environments.

For now, the HEMI V8 is only available on the four-door long-wheelbase Wrangler, so the Shortie misses out. There's no word on whether the Jeep Gladiator ute will get the big 6.4-litre HEMI too, but it's odds-on that it will.

With the extra power and torque, Jeep says the Wrangler will be even more capable off-road.

To ensure it doesn't get stuck, the Rubicon gets a 51mm high-lift kit as standard, improving the Jeep's approach and departure angle and enabling it to wade up to 830mm.

Helping cope with traversing a deep river crossing, Jeep says the Wrangler 392 comes equipped with a special induction system that can divert as much as 70 litres of water away from the engine every minute.

If those intakes get blocked with mud, a secondary intake system keeps the engine running.

Ensuring it never gets stuck, the HEMI-powered V8 gets a low-range gearbox, plus selectable off-road modes that pre-arm the all-wheel drive and traction control systems for the conditions.

Toughening up the regular Wrangler to cope with its muscular torque peak and new-found performance, engineers beefed up the chassis by adding upgraded frame rails, reinforcing the front upper control arms, using cast-iron steering knuckles, and adding heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles and electronic locking differentials.

As on other Rubicon models, the 392 features electronic front anti-roll bar disconnects to maximise suspension articulation when rock-crawling.

More goodies introduced in the Rubicon 392 are a new half door option and a whole host of new Mopar accessories.

Helping it stand out from the regular Wrangler Rubicon, the V8 Jeep also gets 17-inch bead-lock wheels, a new vented bonnet and bronze-coloured badging.

Inside, there's leather seats, new aluminium paddle shifters and a standard 8.4-inch infotainment system.

On sale in the first quarter of 2021 in the US, the absence of right-hand drive production means the quickest, most capable Wrangler ever won't be sold Down Under.

That said, Jeep Australia has already declared it is lobbying for this to change.

As reported, Jeep has confirmed that "at this stage, the Rubicon 392 is going to be produced in LHD only".

"With that said, we know how much Australians love their V8s, so if that changes, we’ll be the first to put our hand up," a spokesperson said.

Back in America, Jeep USA has yet to announce pricing but has stressed the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is a series production model and won't have volume artificially limited.