Jeep unveils high-horsepower V8 Wrangler
This would be the first time in virtually 40 years that the Wrangler or its predecessor, the Jeep CJ, has been provided with a V8 engine. The final V8-powered Jeep CJ, with 124-horsepower, was provided for the 1981 mannequin 12 months. At the time, Jeep was owned by American Motors Corporation, which was later acquired by Chrysler.
“Why are we doing it?” mentioned Scott Tallon, director of Jeep model advertising and marketing for the US. “Because our customers are doing it anyway.”
Some Wrangler house owners have modified their Jeeps by becoming V8 engines into them. Many extra have requested when Fiat Chysler would provide a V8 engine choice, he mentioned.
The Wrangler’s fundamental design needed to be modified considerably to suit the larger engine. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 rides two inches increased off the bottom than a base mannequin Wrangler. Besides permitting extra room for the engine, the upper journey top additionally permits for higher off-road efficiency because the Wrangler can higher clear obstacles and drive up steeper slopes. It also can wade by way of 2.7 toes of water.
The Rubicon 392 has a bulging air scoop within the hood. The air scoop was engineered with a secondary path for air to get into the engine in order that, even when the inside track’s opening turns into clogged with mud or snow, the engine can nonetheless present present full energy.
Besides 470 horsepower, the V8 engine also can produce 470 pound toes of torque, a measure of uncooked pulling energy no matter velocity. It’s all managed by way of an eight-speed automated transmission that may be shifted utilizing paddles behind the steering wheel.
Because it is nonetheless a Jeep Wrangler, Fiat Chrysler engineers have been in a position to brazenly check drive prototypes of the Rubicon 392 on public trails alongside different off-road lovers with out attracting consideration or questions.
They additionally examined its acceleration on drag strips. They didn’t, nevertheless, check it on race tracks as a result of, they mentioned, taking curves at excessive speeds is simply by no means a precedence for any Wrangler, together with this one.
To save gasoline, the V8 engine has a cylinder deactivation system that shuts down 4 of the cylinders when not a lot energy is required. Fiat Chrysler has not launched gasoline economic system estimates for the Rubicon 392, although. Pricing for the brand new Jeep shall be introduced nearer to when it goes on sale in early 2021.
Correction: An earlier model of this story incorrectly spelled Scott Tallon’s title.
