The notorious off-road haven of Moab, Utah, is close to and pricey to the hearts of off-road lovers. For years, the picturesque backdrop has challenged drivers and their four-wheel-drive SUVs like few different locations can. For Jeep, although, Moab is house to the annual Easter Jeep Safari and serves as the proper alternative for the now 80-year-old firm to work together with its prospects and showcase ideas that trace at future manufacturing.
Living proof: Final yr, Jeep unveiled a Wrangler idea packing a Hemi V8 to tantalize its loyal evangelists. One yr later, I am right here in Moab driving the production-ready Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. And after only a few jam-packed hours behind the wheel, I can share that this Wrangler has a much bigger persona than some other JL accessible right now, at the very least till the plug-in 4xe hits the market within the coming months.
A Lengthy Time Coming
Jeep lastly shoving a V8 into its favourite youngster was an inevitable transfer. For a while now, prospects have been V8-swapping Wranglers within the aftermarket, constructing some actually particular four-wheelers. These swaps can find yourself costing over $100,000, with various ranges of guarantee protection after completion. With that context, the Wrangler 392’s $74,995 beginning worth would not sound so egregious. A full manufacturing facility guarantee and a hell-raising V8 alone ought to be sufficient for patrons to put orders left and proper.
Underneath the hood is a 6.4-liter V8 making a rowdy 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet. It pairs to an eight-speed computerized transmission (no handbook choice accessible), with steering wheel-mounted paddles shifters, which is a primary for the Wrangler.
Jeep lastly shoving a V8 into its favourite youngster was an inevitable transfer.
The 392 recipe will get just a little spicier with a normal energetic exhaust mode, beefed-up body to deal with the additional energy, and a really spectacular model-specific hood scoop that feeds the engine air whereas diverting water away when wading by means of water. Jeep gave the 392 a one-inch raise in comparison with different Rubicon fashions, and stiffened the entrance suspension by ten p.c, whereas truly softening the rear suspension by 20 p.c. In keeping with the engineers, this was one of the best setup for trip high quality and dealing with. Fox high-performance shocks sit in any respect 4 corners, coated by commonplace 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch BF Goodrich off-road tires.
In some ways, the 392 is a unique animal, with out straying too removed from the usual Rubicon’s DNA. I will move alongside the phrases of the 392’s chief engineer: “This isn’t a high-speed desert runner just like the TRX; we’re restricted to 99 miles per hour with the tires. This can be a Rubicon above all else.”
From Pavement To Grime
These phrases stayed with me as I fired up the V8 for the primary time. Our half-day drive could be overwhelmingly spent off-road, with a mere half-hour spent on the pavement attending to and from the path.
Earlier than setting off, we aired down the tires to a trail-appropriate, and I additionally took the possibility to flick the energetic exhaust button on. On the freeway and with a transparent 50 yards in entrance of me, I smashed the go-pedal. The connection between the crescendoing eight-cylinder rumble and the fats grin on my face was fast. Having pushed every of the Wrangler’s different engine variants, I can say with confidence that the 392 is exceptionally faster on the highway. The throttle is way touchier than the four-and-six-cylinder Jeeps, too, offering an immediacy that is simply as stunning as it’s enjoyable.
If there’s a weak spot for the 392, it is that the remainder of the on-road expertise (aside from the engine) is an identical to a normal Rubicon. There’s nonetheless a useless zone within the steering giant sufficient to suit a Moab boulder, and the physique nonetheless rolls considerably with any kind of aggressive cornering. “This isn’t a TRX.”
These shortcomings rapidly left my thoughts as our convoy started climbing Moab’s fantastic Behind The Rocks path. This stretch of off-road heaven modifications the tempo on you steadily with giant slippery rock obstacles sitting between lengthy stretches of soppy sand. The dichotomy of low-traction, onerous acceleration, and gradual, regular crawls retains the guts pumping always.
Straight away I used to be impressed by how manageable the 392 was with the switch case in four-low. Aiding that is an Off-Street Plus setting, which softens the accelerator even additional when crawling. The identical automotive that was only a sensitive, keen velocity demon on the highway abruptly grew to become tame and controllable within the powerful stuff – that is the results of unbelievable engine calibration on behalf of the engineers.
The Jeep’s largest check of the day was a double-stacked steep climb that basically made positive the skid plates had been doing their job. Because the video under demonstrates, the 392’s plentiful low-end torque and locking axles made the impediment look straightforward (even with a novice like me behind the wheel).
Dusty Jubilee
With hours of rocky terrain conquered, our check culminated in the easiest way attainable for this SUV: a four-mile stretch of soppy sand dunes. In four-high, traction management off, and rear axle locked, I bought the rattling factor as sideways as my sweaty palms would let me.
The V8 roared again into life with massive helpings of throttle, this time accompanied by a sandy rooster path that shot yards behind the rear tires. Whereas I used to be fortunate sufficient to be among the many first to have this expertise within the 392, many fortunate homeowners will quickly be having the identical enjoyable, reassuring themselves that their reasonably costly Wrangler was value each penny.
Regardless of some dealing with setbacks, and what will definitely be abhorrent gasoline financial system scores after they arrive, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is a complete riot. The serene trails of Moab, Utah are about to get an entire lot louder.
