UPDATE: 18/11/2020
V8-POWERED shockwaves have been despatched via the off-road scene this week following Jeep’s affirmation that the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Idea goes into manufacturing and whereas presently solely slated for left-hand-drive markets, FCA Australia has expressed a powerful curiosity in securing the rabid off-roader right here if the chance presents itself.
“At this stage, the Rubicon 392 goes to be produced in left-hand-drive solely,” a spokesperson advised GoAuto.
“With that mentioned, we all know how a lot Australians love their V8s so if that modifications, we’ll be the primary to place our arms up.”
Information of the Wrangler Rubicon 392’s transfer from idea automobile to manufacturing mannequin was damaged by way of Instagram with Jeep importing a video of a V8-powered Wrangler roaring away from the digicam, captioned by “Some ideas are so highly effective they storm into actuality. Preproduction mannequin proven. Out there 2021”.
In an attention-grabbing transfer, Jeep didn’t take up the entire body with the Wrangler blasting throughout the desert, as an alternative giving it rather less than half with the remaining room taken up by a mock Instagram interface with the caption “Get soiled quicker” adopted by a sequence of Jeep-specific hashtags, the final of which being the ultimate, defining piece to the puzzle; #NotAConcept.
An official reveal was then hosted reside on Jeep’s YouTube channel on Tuesday night time the place the brand new off-road flagship was detailed virtually in full.
On account of go on sale in America within the first quarter of subsequent yr, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Idea was first revealed again in July, simply as Ford was gearing as much as debut its new Wrangler-rivalling Bronco.
The headline act is no doubt the naturally aspirated 6.4-litre (392 cubic-inch) Hemi V8 petrol engine residing underneath the bonnet, creating 350kW of energy and 637Nm of torque – 14kW/27Nm greater than the Idea.
Driving all 4 wheels by way of an eight-speed computerized transmission, Jeep says the Rubicon 392 will dart from 0-97km/h (60mph) in 4.5 seconds and is the results of appreciable shopper demand.
The engine itself is fed recent air by a tri-level consumption system courtesy of Hydro-Information which cannot solely channel virtually 57 litres of water per minute away from the engine, but additionally permits the Rubicon 392 to succeed in its undisclosed high pace even when its practical bonnet scoop is blocked or clogged.
On high of the V8 engine, Jeep has made a sequence of off-road particular enhancements to make the brand new Wrangler flagship as succesful as doable, together with Dana 44 axles, electrical entrance and rear diff lockers, full-time two-speed switch case with 3.73 remaining drive ratio, 33-inch tyres with customized 17-inch beadlock rims in addition to an accommodating 2.0-inch raise equipment with new aluminium monotube Fox shocks and upgraded body rails.
Commonplace creature comforts in the meantime largely mirror the remainder of the Wrangler vary, consisting of a leather-based steering wheel, aluminium paddle shifters, leather-based upholstery, efficiency seats, bronze exterior accents, a metal bumper, LED head- and tail-lights, distant proximity entry and an energetic exhaust.
With manufacturing of the Rubicon 392 now confirmed, GoAuto reached out to Ford Australia to see if there was any renewed prospects of a neighborhood Bronco introduction or the emergence of a V8 Ranger pick-up to rival the rabid Rubicon.
Ford Australia communications director Matt Moran mentioned the Blue Oval pays extra consideration to buyer suggestions and shopper demand than it does to the exercise of different producers.
“We hear carefully to suggestions from our clients and the calls for of shoppers extra broadly, and are centered on assembly their wants – that is what determines our technique,” he mentioned.
“Bronco is a automobile developed with attributes for particular markets, notably North America, and isn’t being provided in right-hand drive.”
“We now have no information to share about any different Ranger powertrains.”
With Ford missing a direct rival and the heavily-rumoured Toyota GR off-roaders nonetheless years away, Jeep may have the admittedly area of interest high-performance off-road phase all to itself if it does make it to Australia.
It stays to be seen but if Jeep will transplant the thumping bent-eight into the Wrangler-based Gladiator or if an much more potent Trackhawk model emerges.
Jeep Australia has offered 925 new Wranglers to this point this yr, accounting for a slim 1.3 per cent share of the sub-$70,000 massive SUV phase.
