Will the Wrangler Still Be King of the Mountain in 2021?

Ford has made a ton of noise with the announcement and marketing for the revival of its classic off-roader, the Ford Bronco. Roaring back from the dead, the Bronco is taking direct aim at the king of off-road SUVs with a sharp new look and impressive performance. But Jeep is far from remaining idle at this time. 2021 brings plenty of new Jeeps for sale, including a long-awaited upgrade to the iconic Wrangler.

Jeep die-hards are one of the most fiercely loyal fanbases of any brand, and the manufacturer knows that. In order to compete with this new rival from the blue oval and give Jeep enthusiasts something that they have been chomping at the bit for, Jeep (in something of a cheeky marketing maneuver) revealed rumors and photos of an all-new 6.4L V8 Hemi Rubicon 392. That’s right, a 2021 V8 Jeep Wrangler. This hasn’t been seen from Jeep since the ’80s, and with advancements in technology since the days of analog, this new Wrangler is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with come the new model year. So what do we know about the specifications of this new option for the Wrangler, and when can we expect to see it?

Don’t Mess With the Best

The off-road SUV is becoming more and more popular as time goes on. People recognize the power and versatility of a strong engine built on tall, durable tires that allow you to traverse any terrain and explore the highways and wilderness in equal measure. Among all the models, one stands out above the rest as the off-road icon, the king of the hill: Jeep. Ford was not subtle with its bold move to dominate the off-road SUV scene in 2021 with its callback revival strategy. Jeep is dead center in their sights, but Jeep isn’t just the king of the off-road – it is the original.

In WW2, the Jeep was developed by Willys-Overland Motors during the scramble before America became embroiled in the conflict. The US Army needed an all-terrain vehicle, and after the war, Willys-Overland secured the Jeep trademark and began production of a consumer model. This went on sale in 1945 with the CJ-2A.

Since then, the off-road SUV has gone from a niche, enthusiast vehicle to one of the most popular types of vehicle in America. Jeep has been there since before the beginning and is now blazing a new trail in the kind of power and performance you can expect from the most reliable name off-road. That has never been more true than with the reveal of this new and unbeatable engine.

Moons Over My HEMI

Before we get started, it is worth mentioning that the V8 option is not standard on all trims of the Wrangler. As always, there are a ton of options and levels of customization for the 2021 Wrangler, with over a dozen trims for you to choose from. This new HEMI engine simply provides something that the Bronco does not have in its lineup, at least at launch.

With all that said, let’s get our hands in this beautiful beast. The new 6.4L engine promises even more power than the Bronco can match at its highest level trim, producing a mind-boggling 450 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. This beastly engine isn’t sluggish despite bringing the thunder under the hood and gives the Wrangler a reported 0-60 speed of under five seconds, which is insane considering the size and heft. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler has several customization options, including a manual six-speed manual transmission. However, the V8 Rubicon may only come with an eight-speed automatic.

Beyond the new engine that is causing such an exciting stir, the V8 Rubicon prototype also has new third-generation Dana 44 axles and a select track, full-time two-speed transfer case. This can automatically shift between two and four-wheel drive based on the terrain to give the right wheels the power they need no matter what obstacles you’re tackling. It will also feature Tru-Lok front and rear locking differentials and a new aluminum monotube Fox shock system, which provides improved compression, rebound, and heat dissipation.

Beauty and a Beast

As one might expect from the heaviest and strongest trim available yet for an off-road SUV, this monster’s design doesn’t stop with the engine. Standard with this trim are massive 37” mud tires that look like they could scale a vertical cliff-face. From top to bottom, the V8 Wrangler looks even more rugged than what Jeep drivers have come to expect.

The body is still easily recognizable, but the new hood looks aggressive with heat-dissipating vents on the top that give it a menacing touch. The front and rear bumpers are made of solid steel, and the front has a WARN brand winch equipped for heavy-duty pulls. As is expected from the Jeep, the side panels, doors, and Sky One-Touch top come off to give you that really wild and free driving experience the Wrangler is famous for.

The interior features and tech are sure to be as impressive as the exterior is to look at. But all we know so far is that there are some eye-popping red leather seats in the interior that we can’t wait to get a closer look at. Since this heavy-duty Wrangler seems to be pulling out all the stops with some of the upgraded features from the existing higher trims, it is a safe bet that the inside infotainment and tech features will be top-notch, but only time will tell for sure. What we can say for sure is that Jeep has designed the exterior of this Rubicon to be as intimidating as we know the engine is on the inside.

What We Don’t Know

Some of the finer details and specs of the Wrangler are still unknown, but we can make some estimations based on past models and known factors in regard to fuel efficiency and pricing. With great power comes great responsibility. Given all that power in the V8, it is a safe bet that the Rubicon 392 won’t exactly be winning any eco-friendly awards. The estimates for the Wrangler fuel efficiency range is around 20 mpg combined. With the standard mud tires that the V8 Rubicon is packing, you might consider swapping them out for something a little more highway-friendly unless you are planning on only using it for your wilderness expeditions.

The 2021 Jeep Wranglers are set for release in the Fall of 2020, but there is no confirmation that the V8 option will be ready to roll out with the rest of them. As of now, Jeep has been content to provide us with rumors and mere morsels of information and nothing concrete. Additionally, there is no set pricing yet. Estimates range from $32,000 to $42,000 based on the existing Wrangler lineup, but we will have to wait for the official release to know for sure.

Changing the Game

Jeep is a trusted and beloved name, and it earned that name and reputation. Every year Jeep shows up to give its drivers the kind of top performance, features, and reliability they need. At Zimmer CDJR, we are honored to bring you the latest and greatest from Jeep. Whether you are interested in the standard fleet of mind-blowing new Wranglers coming for 2021 or you have your eyes set on taming the V8 beast, a visit to our Florence, Kentucky dealership well let you experience everything that Jeep has to offer.