Just three months ago, Jeep bid what seemed to be a final farewell to the V-8-powered Wrangler with the 2024 Rubicon 392 Final Edition. Marketed as the ultimate send-off for the "grr-eight one," this special edition was limited to 3,700 units globally, with 3,300 allocated to the United States, 300 to Canada, and the remaining 100 scattered around the world. However, Jeep enthusiasts are in for a surprise: the Hemi Wrangler is making a return for 2025.
Jeep's announcement of the 2025 Wrangler Rubicon 392 has caught many off guard, especially those who believed they were purchasing a limited-production vehicle. The 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine, known for its impressive 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, will continue to be a staple of the Wrangler lineup. This powertrain ensures that the Wrangler remains the quickest and most potent model in its history, capable of sprinting to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and completing a quarter mile in 13 seconds.
The decision to bring back the Wrangler Rubicon 392 isn't unprecedented for Stellantis, Jeep's parent company. A similar situation occurred with the 2021 Durango SRT Hellcat, which was initially marketed as a single-year model limited to 3,000 units. The model returned in 2023 and again in 2024, leading to a lawsuit from disgruntled owners who felt betrayed by the broken promise of exclusivity.
The financial incentive behind such moves is clear. With the base Wrangler model priced at a third of the Rubicon 392, the high-performance variant is a significant revenue generator. The allure of a $100,000+ Wrangler is hard to resist, both for buyers seeking exclusivity and for Jeep, aiming to capitalize on a lucrative market segment.
While the 2025 Wrangler Rubicon 392 retains its powerful engine and impressive performance stats, it will feature some changes compared to the 2024 Final Edition. Notably, it will forego the 83-piece toolkit and triple-loop grille guard from Mopar that were standard on the previous model. Despite these omissions, the model will still come with enhanced standard equipment, ensuring that it remains a top-tier offering in the Wrangler lineup.
Jeep will open the order books for the 2025 Wrangler Rubicon 392 this fall, with production set to begin in the first quarter of 2025. Pricing details have yet to be disclosed, but it’s expected to remain in the six-figure range.
As Jeep continues to navigate the balance between exclusivity and profitability, the reaction from the Jeep community will be crucial. Will the return of the Hemi Wrangler be seen as a welcome reprieve or a broken promise? Only time will tell. For now, the V-8 roar will echo through another model year, keeping the spirit of the grr-eight one alive.
Wael is an automotive content writer specializes in creating written content for Motor 283. Producing a wide range of content, including blog posts, articles, product descriptions, reviews, and technical guides related to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles, with an unprecedented passion for cars, and motorcycles.
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