It’ll climb up absolutely anything.
Emme Hall/Roadshow
It’s a really bizarre sensation: Here I’m behind the wheel of a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon SUV, and I’ve simply chirped the tires and rocketed to 60 mph in lower than 5 seconds. It’s unnatural. And I adore it.
LikePower, energy, powerDrives up and over anythingGuaranteed to spark pleasure
Don’t LikeHorrible handlingPoor gas economyPretty costly
It’s been 40 years because the 1981 Jeep CJ had a 5.0-liter V8 beneath the hood, producing a mere 125 horsepower. Times definitely have modified — the 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392 makes use of a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with a stonking 470 hp and 470 pound-feet of torque. It makes for heart-pounding, head-tossing, seat belt-locking and maniacal laugh-inducing enjoyable. But there are nonetheless a couple of points with this in any other case thrilling bundle.When I begin the 392, it defaults to the wake-the-neighbors loud setting, so straight away I do know it means enterprise. Around city, the V8 burbles and grumbles, the eight-speed computerized transmission quietly working within the background. When I attain an extended straight on a again highway, I change to the paddle shifters (in a Jeep!) and ground it. The nostril rises up, my head snaps again and the full-time four-wheel-drive system will get the ability right down to the 33-inch BF Goodrich KO2 tires. After round 4.5 seconds, I’m at 60 mph. Goodness.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is the V8 grime monster we have all the time wished
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Slowing down is a way more harrowing expertise. The 392 has the identical measurement rotors and calipers as an ordinary Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and boy do I would like one thing extra able to dealing with this SUV’s energy — it’s essential to cease a lot earlier than you assume. This is one case the place I’d gladly go for bigger wheels if it means becoming larger brakes behind them.I positively need higher steering, too. Jeep Wranglers are fairly obscure on their finest days; add in a ton of energy and the 392 is downright ponderous. This is kind of to be anticipated given the Wrangler’s structure — it is a 5,000-pound field designed to go nearly anyplace. The 392 is significantly fast in a straight line, however a corner-carver it’s not.
I really need larger wheels, if solely so Jeep can provide bigger brakes.
Emme Hall/Roadshow
The Wrangler 392 has a 1-inch raise over a Rubicon and a 2-inch raise in comparison with the usual Jeep Wrangler, so its off-road geometry is barely higher. Curiously, the 392’s floor clearance is definitely a half-inch decrease than it’s on the Rubicon — 10.3 inches in comparison with 10.8. The 392 has entrance and rear locking differentials, a disconnecting sway bar and a two-speed switch case. The 392 has Jeep’s Selec-Trac switch case with a 2.72 low vary, and as soon as the maths is completed with the 3.73:1 ultimate drive ratio within the Dana 44 axles, you come out with a powerful crawl ratio of 48:1. A typical Rubicon has a ratio of 77.2:1, however keep in mind, that is only a illustration of how a lot the torque is multiplied by way of the axles earlier than it hits the bottom. Since I’ve received 470 lb-ft, the 392 can nonetheless rock crawl with the perfect of ’em.
However, should you’re anticipating the Wrangler 392 to go bombing by way of desert whoops at 50 mph prefer it’s a Ford F-150 Raptor, you possibly can overlook it. The Wrangler’s Fox shocks are tuned to deal with larger pace, however the 392 can solely deal with 15 mph to 20 mph within the whoops earlier than you max out the suspension’s journey. It’s manner too simple to outdrive the shocks’ capabilities. An aftermarket long-travel package with piggyback reservoirs would positively be my first improve if I owned one.470 horsepower in a Jeep Wrangler. Insane.
Emme Hall/Roadshow
As I strategy some steep dunes, I press the Off-Road Plus button and calibrate it for Sand, which adjusts the throttle, transmission and traction management. I also can lock the rear diff in four-wheel drive excessive ought to it change into vital. The dunes all have whoops on the backside, so I can not carry an excessive amount of pace. But as soon as I’m out of them, it is hammer down and the 392 simply scrambles to the highest. Here, I can use the forward-facing digital camera to get a peek at what’s on the opposite facet of the dune earlier than barreling right down to the subsequent one.And that is the delight of the 392. The customary Rubicon usually simply would not have the ability to speed up up dunes and different gentle, scratchy hills except momentum is carried throughout the decrease a part of the terrain. With the 392 I can child the Wrangler till it is protected and nonetheless make it to the highest like a boss. This is the Jeep I would like within the dunes.I really feel like I can climb each mountain within the 392, and I might doubtless ford each stream if I might discover one out right here within the desert. The 392 has a trick consumption system that may flush out 15 gallons of water per minute. It’s protected to ford 32.5 inches of water, even when the water initially comes up over the hood. And ought to the hood scoop get blocked by mud or snow, there’s a secondary path for the air to enter the engine. I’ll want to attend for monsoon season to do this out.Best pushed with the roof off.
Emme Hall/Roadshow
Visually there is not a lot to tell apart the 392 from an ordinary Rubicon save for some bronze accents, requisite badging, a thicker steering wheel and a few extra aggressively bolstered seats. The identical Uconnect infotainment system is discovered inside, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an 8.4-inch shade touchscreen. Uconnect is simple to make use of and a Roadshow favourite. I really like Jeep’s off-road pages with info on pitch and roll, energy distribution, temperatures and GPS coordinates with altitude.My tester additionally has with the fancy-pants Sky One-Touch energy gentle prime. It could also be known as one-touch, however the button must be held the entire time for the highest to retract, and it takes 17 seconds to take action. It’s a pleasant improve, however the usual gentle prime is fairly simple to function. Well, simple for a Jeep. Taking the highest down, the home windows out and the doorways off isn’t precisely a fast course of. Oh, and phrase to the smart, be sure you shut the highest should you go away the 392 for any time period within the desert solar. The black leather-based seats can get fairly toasty. As is to be anticipated, all this loopy energy will value you. The 392 is the most costly of all Wranglers, beginning on the whopping value of $74,995 together with $1,495 for vacation spot. That’s $31,025 greater than a base Rubicon. My tester with the upgraded convertible prime, trailer tow bundle and forward-facing digital camera involves an unbelievable $78,545. Yowza.Not many autos are this hilariously enjoyable.
Emme Hall/Roadshow
It’s additionally value mentioning you may get a crate 392 engine from Mopar and all the mandatory accoutrements for proper round $19,000 if you wish to go the DIY route, however that is not an choice for many of us and there is no type of manufacturing unit guarantee on elements you put in your self.Hmm, I suppose I ought to point out gas financial system, not that anybody’s shopping for a V8-powered something with effectivity in thoughts. The EPA charges the 392 at 13 mpg metropolis, 17 mpg freeway and 14 mpg mixed; after every week of testing, I’m seeing 13.3. And you realize what? I do not even care. The 392 could be flawed, costly and thirsty however it affords foolish thrills you will not discover anyplace else.