The Wrangler Rubicon 392 has a huge V8

A V8 Jeep is nothing new, as Jeep was selling the ridiculous 716PS (707bhp) Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk in the UK until very recently. But a V8 in a Jeep of this size and this type, a more focussed off-roader? Well, there hasn’t been one of those since the Jeep CJ back in 1981.

The 392 Concept’s V8 is quite the unit, and makes you wonder what on earth all of the eight cylinders in the old CJ were actually doing. The CJ had a 5.0-litre V8 with 127PS (125bhp) and 298Nm (220lb ft) of torque. The 392 Concept’s 6.2-litre V8 on the other hand produces 456PS (450bhp) and 610Nm (451lb ft). 0-62mph takes “less than five seconds”.

But this being a Wrangler Rubicon there’s more to it than just a big engine. There are chunky 37-inch tyres sitting on 17-inch wheels, Dana 44 axles, a beefed up eight-speed automatic gearbox and transfer case, Tru-Lok front and rear electric locking differentials, a Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch Mopar lift kit, rock rails, steel bumpers, a Warn winch and a steel belly pan.

The car you see pictured also has Granite Crystal paint, bronze tow hooks, badging, springs and shocks, and a huge bulge in the bonnet to accommodate that big V8.

Note the word ‘concept’, however – at this stage we’re not sure if it’ll actually built. I mean, does the world really need a 6.2-litre V8 off-roader? Probably not. But then again no one needed the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk either, and no one needs a Giulia Quadrifoglio. That doesn’t stop people wanting or buying them. Fingers crossed, then, it won’t be too long until we’re driving a Wrangler Rubicon 392 around the Goodwood Estate. We’ll avoid the lawn of Goodwood house, though – those chunky tyres and all that torque probably wouldn’t do much for the grass quality…