Earlier this summer, the Jeep brand rolled out the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept. As expected, the V8-powered Wrangler was welcomed with open arms by just about everyone in the automotive community. However, that 450-horsepower Jeep was just a concept…until now. The 392 V8-powered Wrangler Rubicon is coming to production for 2021 and it will have more horsepower than the concept – delivering 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.

Best of all, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is not just a current Wrangler Rubicon with the 392-cubic inch V8 from the likes of the SRT-spec Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger. The Jeep team added an array of other upgrades to make the Rubicon 392 the highest performance Wrangler ever.

“This is the most powerful, quickest, most capable Jeep Wrangler we’ve ever built,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA North America. “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.”

392 Power

As the name suggests, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is powered by the same 392-cubic inch V8 that is featured in the SRT-level models of the Grand Cherokee, along with the Dodge Durango, Challenger and Charger. In the concept, this engine offered 450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, but in production form, the Wrangler 392 packs 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. That power is sent towards the rear wheels by means of a ZF 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission and a pair of heavy duty Dana 44 axles. This system also includes a standard Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case and full-time four-wheel-drive, Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials and an electronic front sway bar disconnect function.

To allow the Wrangler Rubicon 392 the same incredible off-roading capabilities as the rest of the model lineup, the engineers developed the new Hydro-Guide air intake system. This system uses a functional hood scoop to draw cool air through a tri-level duct system that removes dirt and water. The one-way water drain can draw out up to 15 gallons of water per minute, so Rubicon 392 owners can battle some serious water hazards without any issue. In fact, it is rated to easily handle up to 32.5 inches of water. But in the event that some water washes up over the hood and into the scoop, the system will keep it from entering the engine. At the same time, should the hood scoop become completely blocked with mud, ice or debris, the 392 Wrangler has a secondary engine air intake system that is protected under the hood.

The 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392 also has an active dual mode exhaust system with valves that open under hard throttle to improve flow and make for an even louder exhaust note. Unlike the products from Dodge that offer a similar active exhaust system, the 392 Wrangler has a button to let the driver turn the system on and off. With the prior FCA vehicles with this system, there is no specific switch for the active exhaust system.

The 392-cubic inch Hemi makes the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 the most powerful Wrangler ever, but it also leads to the quickest form of the legendary off-roader. Even with the huge 33-inch off-road tires, the 392 Wrangler will sprit from a stop to 60 miles-per-hour in just 4.5 seconds while covering a standing quarter mile in 13 seconds flat.

More Than a Big Engine

The Jeep team could have easily dropped an SRT 392 into a current Wrangler Rubicon and it would have been a hot seller, but this rig is more than just an engine package. The team began by upgrading the frame rails, front upper control arms and steering knuckles to handle the extra front end weight of the V8. They also added a 2-inch lift and Fox shocks with unique tuning for the added ride height, power and weight. When coupled with the 48:1 crawl ratio, the 392 Wrangler will climb over just about anything while the Off-Road Plus drive mode will allow the rear axle to remain locked in 4-high at high speeds while a heavy duty braking package brings the most powerful Wrangler back down to a stop.

On the outside, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 features some unique appointments, including bronze-trimmed badges, bronze tow hooks and bronze 17-inch beadlock capable wheels. There are also distinct 392 badges on each side of the raised center section of the package-specific hood and there are optional half-doors.

The Wrangler Rubicon 392 is available in nine exterior colors – Black, Bright White, Firecracker Red, Granite Crystal Metallic, Punk ’n Metallic, Sarge Green Metallic, Snazzberry Metallic, Sting-Gray Metallic and Billet Silver Metallic.

Inside, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 only comes in black leather with bronze stitching with unique Rubicon 392 logos embroidered on the seat back. The 8.4-inch UConnect screen is standard, as are the following popular equipment groups, some of which pertain to the exterior.

• Leather interior
• Infotainment Group
• HD electrical switch bank
• Body-color hard top
• Body-color flares
• Steel Bumper Group
• LED Lighting Group
• Cold Weather Group
• Remote proximity entry
• Safety Group
• Advanced Safety Group

We know that the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 will go on sale during the first quarter of 2021, but we don’t know how much it will cost. No pricing has been offered, so there is still one piece of this puzzle missing, but for now, we have all of the key details of the 470-horsepower Jeep Wrangler.