Jeep has started the test phase of what seems to be a very heavy variant of the Wrangler. This fresh set of spy photos shows a test sample with an eight-cylinder in its snout!
Jeep unexpectedly turned up earlier this month by presenting the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept, a Wrangler with a mighty eight-cylinder in its square nose. The three numbers stood for the cubic inches which is the eight-cylinder in size, a volume measure that can be converted to 6.4 liters. That is the displacement of the well-known Hemi V8 that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles frequently spoon in its models. Jeep stated at the presentation of the study model that the car served purely to gauge the reactions to it, but that turns out not to be the full story. After all, the brand is already happily driving rounds with a Wrangler equipped with a V8!
At first glance, the Wrangler in these photos is ‘just’ a Rubicon version, equipped with various modifications that make it the most off-road Wrangler. At the bottom of the buttock, however, are two sets of two tailpipes. Indeed, just like the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept, one for each four-burner cylinder bank. The four and six cylinders have to make do without these lavish chutes. When the ‘Wrangler V8’ will appear on the market is not yet clear, although we probably do not have to expect it in the Netherlands at all. Fun fact: the Wrangler was never officially delivered with an eight-cylinder. However, predecessor CJ was for sale with a V8.