Latest news with #Wrangler392
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Jeep reveals plans for 2026 including three ‘under study' models
Quiet start to the new year could turn busy should the trio of new models receive sales approval. Stellantis South Africa has confirmed plans of making three new Jeep models available currently defined as being 'under study'. In announcing its plans for 2026, the divisional head of the conglomerate's so-called premium brands comprising Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Leapmotor, Janus Janse van Rensburg, said the mentioned products include not only the Avenger and new Compass, but also the electric Recon due for unveiling soon. At the same time, Janse van Rensburg told the media at Stellantis' annual Media Connect event in Johannesburg last week that more revisions will be applied to the Wrangler and Gladiator in the first quarter of next year. Wrangler Based on the facelift Wrangler that become available in South Africa earlier this year, the added improvements, in accordance with those of the US variant, will consist of a revised colour palette involving a new orange hue called Joose. Under study, and therefore yet to be formally approved, the combination of the stalwart normally aspirated 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine an eight-speed automatic gearbox looks set to make a surprise return after being dropped for the current 2.0-litre Hurricane turbo-petrol with the same 'box. NOW READ: Jeep Wrangler's new turbo engine helps it keep up with the times Likely as a result of increased demand in the United States, where the V6 had been mated solely to a six-speed manual, the setup will possibly yield the same 213kW/353Nm outputs as the pre-facelift Wrangler, although as mentioned, final approval still needs to be made. The biggest surprise though is that consideration is also being given in bringing the Wrangler 392 to South Africa after the recent resumption of Hemi V8 engine production. V8-engine Wrangler 392 is under study for South Africa. Image: Jeep Supposedly phased-out after the debut of the farewell Last Edition 12 months ago, the most powerful production Wrangler ever made keeps hold of the 392 cubic inch or 6.4-litre normally aspirated V8 outputting 350kW/637Nm. First shown five years ago, the 392 will get from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.5 seconds, and receive the same interior updates as the standard Wrangler without any dynamic or chassis alterations. Special Willys Edition Wrangler could revive the two-door bodystyle. Image: Jeep As mentioned, both the V6 and Wrangler 392 are still under study, as is the third variant, the limited run Willys that pays homage to the original Willys Jeep. Unlike the rest of the Wrangler range offered solely in four-door Unlimited guise, the Willys will, suggestively, herald the return of the two-door bodystyle should approval be given. Gladiator Joining its sibling in arriving next year, the updated Gladiator, which premiered at the end of 2023 in the States, will introduce the same exterior changes, as well as the significantly redesigned interior comprising new air vents, type-C USB ports, improved materials and the new 12.3-inch Uconnect infotainment system. Facelift Gladiator will finally debut in the first quarter of 2026. Image: Jeep Compared to the Wrangler, the local-market Gladiator is set to continue with the Pentastar V6 and eight-speed auto 'box combination as the Hurricane unit cannot be specified in any market. Locally, this is likely to mean the same outputs of 209kW/347Nm. In the pipeline Of the mentioned under study models, the Avenger takes prominence as it had been an on-again, off-again entity for South Africa ever since its world debut two years ago. Long rumoured Avenger has taken another step towards becoming a reality. Image: Jeep Although originally motivated by an electric powerplant, the arrival of a mild-hybrid soon after its launch effectively opened the door for local market availability, though it stands to reason that the 48-volt system could well be omitted should sales commence. In Europe, the setup develops 74kW/205Nm using the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech petrol engine in combination with the belt starter/generator, and a six-speed manual gearbox only. Launched two months ago, the third generation Compass will expectedly fill slot-in above the Avenger in becoming Jeep's eventual flagship. Stellantis has confirmed the new Compass as being under study for the local market. Image: Jeep Set to fill the position soon to be left vacant by the outgoing Grand Cherokee, the Compass also offers a choice of hybrid and electric powertrains, though again, only the former will be earmarked for South Africa in the event of it getting approval. Ruled-out At the other end of the scale, details about the Recon remain unknown, while plans for launching the Meridian, known as the Commander in Brazil, have seemingly been shelved. An uncertainty, for now, is the incoming all-new Cherokee, while the range-topping Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are definitive no-no's due to production being left-hand-drive only. NOW READ: WATCH: Jeep Gladiator puts up a fight like no other bakkie
Campaign ME
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Campaign ME
Jeep reveals custom collab with Dina Zahran for mother's day
Jeep Middle East has collaborated with entrepreneur and influencer Dina Zahran and her fashion and accessories brand, Dinzy, for a Mother's Day campaign that highlights personalisation and self-expression. The campaign features a customised Jeep Wrangler 392 in Tuscadero Pink, merging the vehicle's off-road capability with a lifestyle-focused design. Jeep x Dinzy: A custom take on the Jeep Wrangler The Wrangler 392, known for its powerful V8 engine and off-road performance, has been customised for this campaign with pink accents and subtle design modifications. Created in collaboration with MOPAR, The updates reflect Zahran's personal style while keeping the vehicle's core identity intact. The collaboration was launched through a short film called A Love Letter to Adventure. Narrated by Zahran, the film draws parallels between motherhood and exploration. It reflects on the lessons learned through both experiences, emphasising resilience growth and the freedom to navigate life's challenges. The message aligns with Jeep's broader themes of independence and adventure. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dina Zahran 🥰 (@dinazahran) Jeep chose to partner with Dina Zahran for her distinctive creative voice and the personal story she brings to the campaign. As both a mother and entrepreneur, she connects the themes of adventure and family, aligning with Jeep's brand ethos. 'As a mother and founder of a fashion brand built on individuality, Dina infused the Wrangler with meaningful custom touches that reflect her identity, her connection to family and the same sense of freedom and purpose that defines Jeep,' shared the brand. 'The collaboration celebrates the parallel between the adventures in life and adventures on the road, speaking directly to a generation of women who embrace both with boldness and authenticity.' Expanding Jeep's lifestyle positioning in MENA Jeep continues to expand its brand positioning beyond off-road communities, using collaborations like this to engage with a wider audience. By working with regional influencers and focusing on cultural moments such as Mother's Day, the brand is integrating lifestyle elements into its marketing strategy while maintaining its core themes of adventure and individuality. This campaign reflects Jeep's ongoing efforts to connect with consumers in new ways, blending automotive performance with personal expression. Credits Client: Stellantis Middle East Communications Agency: Tales & Heads Video Production: Fat Cat
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Is An Ode To An America That We Were Supposed To Leave In The Past
There are few cars I've had a more complicated relationship with than the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. On the face of it, this big SUV is everything I'd ever want. It's loud, it has a massive V8 motor, you can (pretty much) drop the roof and it'll go wherever you want it to. There's just one problem: it feels a bit awful to drive around in. When you're in the Wrangler 392, you get the feeling that you are the bad guy, and that's unfortunately because you probably are. In my week of testing Jeep's 470 horsepower, $110,000 flagship truck, I couldn't help but think I was making everyone's day a bit worse as I drove by. I also couldn't shake the shameful feeling of cold-starting its 6.4-liter V8 in an age where it's nearly 60 degrees in January in New York City. None of that takes into account the fact that over 635 miles of testing, I somehow only managed to get 13.4 mpg — and that's with a lot of highway driving. Still, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is immensely fun, and it never failed to put a smile on my face when I mashed the gas pedal. Maybe that says more about me than the car. It's tough to say, but we're going to figure it out together. Full Disclosure: Jeep lent me a 2024 Wrangler Rubicon 392 with a full tank of gas (that didn't last very long) to do with as I pleased for a week. The real centerpiece of the entire Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition is very much its 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine. It's the first time a Wrangler has had a V8 since the CJ7 was still lumbering around. In this application, the Mopar motor puts out 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque all routed through an eight-speed transmission. That is more than enough to get this 5,245-pound truck from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, according to Jeep, which is astonishingly fast for a Wrangler. Of course, 2024 isn't the first year you've been able to get the V8. It's not even the last either, despite its 'Final Edition' name. Jeep has been pumping these 392s out since the 2021 model year, and it's still alive for 2025. The motor completely dominates the experience. From just a feeling perspective, it never falls into the background. You're always well aware there's a massive V8 just a few feet in front of you. Every single time you go up and down the rev band you feel it vibrate and twist the chassis, those thunderous active quad exhaust pipes bellowing all the way. There's an argument to be made that this motor is actually practical, too. When you combine its huge power, Jeep's second-to-none off-roading systems and massive 35-inch tires, getting the Wrangler Rubicon 392 stuck on an off-road trail is pretty much impossible. Hell, even if you do get it stuck, the Final Edition comes with a Warn winch that'll literally tug you out of trouble. Even I, a novice off-roader at best, was able to take this relatively compact vehicle to places no normal car would be able to reach. You can absolutely tear up the earth below your tires before your engine kills the rest of it. To be expected, all of this off-road prowess means the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is sort of a nightmare on road, but who really cares about that? You bought a V8, off-road-focused Wrangler. If you wanted something that would be good on road, buy a Miata, cuck. I could get into the steering feel being nearly non-existent, and the long-travel suspension is making this thing bouncy as hell over even the most modest pothole, but who really cares? I don't, and I cannot imagine you do either. You just want to know what the Wrangler sounds like at wide open throttle with all 392 cubic inches of displacement being taken up by air, gas and fire. Well, folks, it sounds like thunder. Those who 'get it' will love it, and those who don't will despise it. It's a noise that feels far more at home in the Bush Administration than at the tail end of the Biden Administration (when I conducted my testing). The interior, for better or worse, is also a throwback to a time before folks used 'DEI' as a slur. A few years ago Jeep gave the Wrangler's interior a bit of a refresh, but it has remained largely the same since the JL Wrangler was released for the 2018 model year. Sure, there are some creature comforts like four heated seats, a 12.3-inch UConnect touchscreen and a power driver's seat, but there's little to distract you from the fact this truck is old. If you're someone who likes buttons, this is the interior for you. Granted, when you're off road that does come in handy. All of your off-road-specific controls, like the transfer case, differential lockers and off-road modes are easy to find at the bottom of the stack. Still, the Wrangler doesn't have a very refined interior, not that you'd expect one. There's tons of wind, road and tire noise, which is pretty par for the course. If that's not your thing, perhaps don't get a Wrangler. The coolest feature on this Wrangler Rubicon 392, other than the motor and off-road gadgets, is Jeep's Sky One-Touch Power Top, which has fixed rear pillars and a powered cloth sunroof instead of the normal fully removable hardtop. It takes all of the headache out of dropping the roof on a Wrangler, and while it doesn't give you that complete open-air feeling, the all-electric ease of use it comes with more than makes up for that. Opening the roof up also gives you unfettered access to the unbelievable noise coming out of the rear of the Wrangler 392. This being the top-of-the-line Wrangler means things don't come cheap. Just to get in the door of a Rubicon 392, you're going to have to give Stellantis (a worrying proposition) $91,545. If you want the Final Edition package, fork over a further $8,450. It gives you all sorts of special badging, retuned, beefy suspension, that Warn winch, beadlock-capable 17-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch rubber and a few other goodies. Add in that $3,995 Sky One-Touch roof, an air compressor and some special paint, and you're looking down the barrel of a $108,475 price tag, including destination. I've got to say, there aren't too many ways to more conspicuously broadcast that you spent $110,000 on a car, and that's the problem I have with the Wrangler Rubicon 392. Sure, it's a brilliant piece of off-road machinery, and that V8 is charming as hell, but I also can't help but feel like it shouldn't be here anymore. It's loud and antisocial in a way that not many vehicles are anymore. I suppose that's sort of Stellantis' thing these days, but I don't know, man. I just felt yucky while I was driving it —like everyone who saw me knew who I voted for. The only time I truly felt comfortable in the Wrangler Rubicon 392 was on an off-road trail, far away from the onlookers who could guess my thoughts and opinions on 'pronouns.' Here, the truck shines with its high driving position and shouty exhaust. Everywhere else, well, you'd probably be better off with a Wrangler 4xe. I thought cars like this would be things of the past by now. Even Stellantis had to give up on the V8-powered muscle car. Now though, with our what's-old-is-new-again President, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 might actually be a bit restrained. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
