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Jeep Wrangler V8 confirmed – UPDATE: Left-hand-drive only, Australia to miss out

First Jeep Wrangler V8 in 40 years has been confirmed in the US, can do 0 to 100km/h in 'less than five seconds'.


UPDATE, November 17: A short statement from Jeep has indicated that unfortunately, a V8-powered Wrangler will go down the same path as a diesel-powered Gladiator with only left-hand-drive production slated for the time being:

"At this stage, the Rubicon 392 is going to be produced in LHD only. With that said, we know how much Australians love their V8s so if that changes, we'll be the first to put our hand up."

A solid no for Australia then, but perhaps not forever. There is a chance that Jeep could re-evaluate, depending upon the success of the V8 Wrangler in left-hook markets, and demand from places like Australia. We live in hope...


November 16: Jeep has confirmed its V8 Wrangler concept will be released in the US in early 2021, according to an Instagram updated published over the weekend.

The Instagram post showed a Wrangler shooting off through a cloud of dust and dirt, accompanied by a soundtrack that is undoubtedly a V8.

The post says: "Some concepts are so powerful they storm into reality.⁣ Preproduction model shown. Available 2021."

Crucially, the post also includes the hashtag: #NotAConcept.

The previously shown Jeep Wrangler 392 Concept, unveiled just hours before Ford revealed its new Bronco, points towards a 6.4-litre Hemi under bonnet, which makes 344kW/624Nm and is used for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.

This will be enough to push the Wrangler to 100km/h in "under five seconds", according to a previous statement from Jeep.

The Wrangler 392 Concept also comes with 37-inch tyres on 17-inch beadlock wheels, retaining the standard Rubicon Dana 44 axles front and rear. Running a strengthened 8-speed automatic gearbox, the high torque of the V8 allows the Wrangler to use taller  3.73:1 gear ratios.

These developments amidst growing competition for the Wrangler, coming in the form of Ford's returning Bronco, and even Land Rover's new Defender purportedly picking up V8 power in the future.

CarAdvice has contacted Jeep Australia for comment on the V8 Wrangler, and to see whether it is on the local wishlist.

While we wait for an official comment, CarAdvice understands the local arm would be hopeful to acquire the V8 Wrangler for Australia.

Just because a variant is available in the US, does not automatically make it available in Australia or other right-hand-drive markets. For example, Australia misses out on a diesel-powered Gladiator ute even though it is sold in the US due to prohibitive engineering costs for the conversion. As for a V8 Gladiator ... (please Jeep!).

 

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Sam Purcell

Sam Purcell has been writing about cars, four-wheel driving and camping since 2013, and obsessed with anything that goes brum-brum longer than he can remember. Sam joined the team at CarAdvice/Drive as the off-road Editor in 2018, after cutting his teeth at Unsealed 4X4 and Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures.

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