Jeep Crosses the Rubicon With the Wrangler Rubicon V8

In ancient Rome, the Rubicon was a river that was just north of the capital and marked the place between the country and the outside world. When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his legions, he not only broke Roman law but also paved the way to becoming Emperor. It was a bold and decisive move. This is why Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) chose to give the top-of-the-line model of Jeep Wrangler the name Rubicon. It is bold, powerful, distinctive, and, like Caesar himself, a true leader. This is a Jeep Wrangler that has it all and is built to hit the trail and leave the rest in the dust. And that is exactly why the Jeep dealer near you, and many Jeep dealers alike, are happy to keep the Rubicon on the lot.

The current model of the Jeep Wrangler gives drivers a choice between a turbo I-4 engine and two six-cylinder engines, a 3.6-liter V6 gas and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. Any of these three engines will give you the power and performance you will need, whether you are driving down the highway, going off-road, or towing a trailer for fun or business. But what about a V8 Wrangler? The last time folks had the opportunity to buy a Jeep Wrangler with a V8 engine was back in 1981, almost 40 years ago.

The 1981 Jeep CJ offered a 5.0-liter V8 that produced up to 125 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque. Since those early days, folks have been begging Jeep to put a V8 in a Jeep Wrangler. Well, it looks like those Jeep lovers’ prayers have been answered. On July 13, FCA announced that they had come out with a Wrangler featuring a V8 engine, the New 6.4-liter V8 Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept. If things keep going this way, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a V8 engine could be coming soon to a Jeep dealer near you.

An All-New Engine

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept sports the most powerful engine ever offered on this model. It is a 6.4-liter V8 gas engine that produces up to 450 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. This is enough strength to power the Wrangler Rubicon from 0-60 miles per hour in less than 5 seconds. The 392 stands for the 392 cubic inches of displacement. Jeep has paired this V8 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission to give you better control and give the engine more efficient performance. Jeep has even upgraded the engine mounts to accommodate this larger engine.

To give you a sense of how powerful this new engine is, let’s take a closer look at the three other engines currently offered on the Jeep Wrangler. The base engine is a 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 DiTurbo gas engine that produces 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It is offered with or without the eTorque, and a 48-volt electrical system designed to better smooth out the overall performance of the engine. This makes the Jeep Wranglers with eTorque a hybrid model.

Similarly, the 3.6-liter 24 valve V6 gas engine with variable valve timing also comes with an eTorque option. The variable valve timing improves the efficiency of the gas engine. This V6 produces a strong 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The final engine option is a diesel. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 can produce up to 260 hp and an aggressive 442 lb-ft of torque. All of these engines are available with either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

As you can see, the V8 on the Wrangler Rubicon Concept takes this Jeep to a whole new level. The other three engines are all strong and efficient, but they just can’t match the power and performance of a V8. How else can you go that fast in a Jeep while having enough torque to power you over the toughest obstacle on an off-road trail?

Off-Road Upgrades

Unlike other automakers, Jeep didn’t just simply take an existing vehicle and stick a bigger engine under its hood. It took the existing Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and boosted it for better overall performance, especially for off-roading, where it will make a big difference. This involves an enhanced Jeep Trail Rated criteria for the Wrangler Rubicon Concept.

First, the traction is better than previous models as a result of the 450 lb-ft of torque and the 17-inch beadlock wheels fitted with 37-inch mud-terrain tires. You are sure to notice the difference when you are on some difficult trail in inclement weather. Second, this Jeep Wrangler Rubicon will provide improved articulation as a result of the factory Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit and those 37-inch tires. This will give the Jeep the ability to ford up to 34 inches of water with an overall ground clearance of 13.25 inches. This also gives the Rubicon Concept an improved approach angle of 51.6 degrees, a better breakover angle of 29.5 degrees, and a stronger departure angle of 40.1 degrees. All of these will help the vehicle get up and over whatever boulders, logs, and other obstacles may be in your way.

The off-road upgrades don’t stop there. The upgraded suspension features a Mopar two-inch lift with aluminum, monotube Fox shocks. These will provide better damping of vibrations. It also features third-generation Dana 44 axles for a better ride. The full-time two-speed transfer case gives better performance to the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s Selec-Trac four-wheel drive system. The Tru-Lok electric front and rear-axle locking differentials will improve the overall off-road performance of this Jeep. Completing the off-road upgrades are Rubicon rock rails, steel bumpers with a Warn winch, and a steel belly pan. Not only will many of these features give your Wrangler Rubicon a rugged look, but they are functional as well, helping you to get out of any tight spot out in the wilderness.

New Custom Design Features

The first thing you’re sure to notice on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Concept is the heavy-duty raised performance hood with scoop, something you’ve probably never seen on any other Wrangler. This should be the first indication of this Jeep’s V8 engine means business. Next, this Jeep comes with a gorgeous Granite Crystal exterior paint job that is bold and powerful, harking back to the Jeeps of yesterday while looking ahead to a bright future. Jeep has chosen to accent this with bronze painted tow hooks, springs, shocks, wheels, and special badging.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon also comes with custom half doors and a Sky One-touch powertop with removable side panels. This gives you the option of opening up your Wrangler Rubicon to the elements so you can enjoy the great outdoors without leaving your Jeep. Finally, the Wrangler Rubicon Concept sports a quad tip exhaust with a two-mode exhaust that alters the engine’s performance with the simple touch of a button.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Concept carries these aggressive looks into the vehicle’s interior. The seats are Red Rock-colored leather with gold stitching, both rugged and comfortable. A performance steering wheel completes the package.

Like the great Julius Caesar from the past, Jeep has boldly crossed the Rubicon with its new V8 Concept. The Jeep Wrangler has already been the recipient of many accolades, and fans of the brand swear by its capabilities. Now, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Concept with the V8 gas engine is poised to pick up these laurels and conquer new roads and off-roads with strength, speed, and power never seen before in a vehicle of its class and type. Keep on the lookout for this all-new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

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