Jeep acknowledges big demand for 392 Gladiator V8

[dfwxjer]

I agree with the sentiment that a V8 would be ideal but something more along the lines of the regular 5.7. Not that the 6.4 isn't bad ass, but I'd rather have a reasonable V8 for daily driving and hopefully a less crazy MSRP.

The 392 Wrangler is awesome but it's super niche, limited production, and out of the price range I'm willing to spend on a Jeep.

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[brianinca]

I think the ravens are coming home to roost for FCA and their choice to only go turbo 4 or large displacement for power. The Bronco having a twin turbo V6 puts it completely out of reach for any powertrain FCA has.

I am very pleased with the NA 3.6, I like revvy engines, but the FCA product planners screwed up.

Ford's 2.7 may go down in history as one of the best engines ever. The fleet buyers where I work are getting F150's with the 2.7's hand over fist, even buying them used from Fastenal. Our fleet maintenance group has 10 years experience with them now and "they'll never do 400K like that 8.1 Chevy flatbed" has turned to "yeah we had to replace another LS". Oh, and we don't use Jasper any more even though they put goodies in the crates. Mr. Goodwrench gets all the business now.

Give us a twin turbo V-6 similar to the Ford 2.7 Ecoboost and I'll be first in line. Plenty of hp and torque for off-roading and towing. And decent gas mileage.

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

Plans to turbo the pentastar were scrapped.

Fca was working on a new I6 based on the 2.0, with tighter cylinder spacing and other changes, such that it was supposed to be only 3" longer than the Tigershark engine.

Expected to be turbocharged with outputs ranging from 300 to 500+ hp.

Haven't heard much new info though, and it was originally rumored to launch in the new GC, so it seems it's been pushed back.

I suspect investment in that I-6 may have been stopped by the electric vehicle craze sweeping manufacturers. I fear all development $$$ has been switched over to EV and we'll never see that I-6. Sadly.

 

[flipmode]

Count me in, I'll trade mine day one!

 

[AZCooWhip]

Hmmmmmmmm ....

 

[Klutch]

Gee whiz whittakers, what happened to all those claims about it being impossible to cool a V8 in a Wrangler or Gladiator? Yeah, it's was all nonsense.

 

[Oilburner]

If Jeep could build/sell Half as many 6.4L JT's versus twice as many 5.7L JT's, and make the same profit, which do you think they would do?

 

[Klutch]

If Jeep could build/sell Half as many 6.4L JT's versus twice as many 5.7L JT's, and make the same profit, which do you think they would do?

I think MPG averages are an issue. The EPA regulates overall MPGs for a manufacturer. I think some economy cars were made for only that reason. There's no money in making and selling something like a Ford Fiesta or Focus. They get people familiar with the brand, but primarily pulled down the overall MPGs so they could sell gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs and make money.

FCA will have to think hard how they sell V8 Wranglers and Gladiators while staying within EPA limits. Maybe the Fiat 500 helps with this? That's one of the motivators for EVs as well.

 

[legacy_etu]

^^ Right, agreed. This is where the 4Xe for the Gladiator comes in to help and allows them to sell some V8's. I would put money on the fact that Jeep will offer teh 4XE in the Gladiator if for nothing else than to bump up the overall CAFE ratings.

 

[lrtexasman]

I’d even take an updated 5.2

 

[DaveNH]

Gee whiz whittakers, what happened to all those claims about it being impossible to cool a V8 in a Wrangler or Gladiator? Yeah, it's was all nonsense.

I dove into this on the JL forum before the 392 was announced, and I never found anything from Jeep or FCA making that claim.

It all seems to stem from a misunderstanding of what Tim Kuniskis said in this article:

https://www.drive.com.au/news/jeep-gauging-interest-in-two-door-ute/

He seems to be referring to the Hellcat specifically, and crash worthiness was the issue.

So either they found another means to absorb/redirect energy, or the 392 simply takes up less space than the Hellcat.

I'd imagine we'd have heard about an innovation in crash protection, so the former seems unlikely.

The 6.4l and the 6.2l can't be appreciably different in size, so I suspect that the supercharger and associated gear is the culprit.

 

[be77solo]

I'd be tempted by the 5.7L for sure if they did it for a nominal upcharge like others mentioned, but the current 6.4L offering in the Wrangler is just a bridge too far for me $$$ to even remotely justify. That's a *lot* of money ha.

But, at the end of the day, with either V8 option, I'd ultimately miss my manual transmission too much to actually make the switch. Top open, doors off, shifting my own gears..... that's what the Jeeps are about to me personally, I just could never justify the Wrangler because I need a truck bed several times a week. And then came the Gladiator!

Now about that dreamed about Magnusson upgrade to mine....... ?

 

[rayzjeep]

I still don't fully understand why this can't be a 10k option on any trim other than the exec's at FCA just trying to milk us for more $$$. I'll wait until that happens....but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[smlobx]

I dove into this on the JL forum before the 392 was announced, and I never found anything from Jeep or FCA making that claim.

It all seems to stem from a misunderstanding of what Tim Kuniskis said in this article:

https://www.drive.com.au/news/jeep-gauging-interest-in-two-door-ute/

He seems to be referring to the Hellcat specifically, and crash worthiness was the issue.

So either they found another means to absorb/redirect energy, or the 392 simply takes up less space than the Hellcat.

I'd imagine we'd have heard about an innovation in crash protection, so the former seems unlikely.

The 6.4l and the 6.2l can't be appreciably different in size, so I suspect that the supercharger and associated gear is the culprit.

I saw a video where the lead designer of the Glad….Mark something… was asked specifically about a V8 option in the Gladiator when it was unveiled and he said it was impossible due to cooling issues. I think it might have been a TFL video but I did see it.

 

[Oilburner]

I saw a video where the lead designer of the Glad….Mark something… was asked specifically about a V8 option in the Gladiator when it was unveiled and he said it was impossible due to cooling issues. I think it might have been a TFL video but I did see it.

I recall the same video, also about 10 yrs ago was when they were saying 'crash standards' prevented a V8 option.

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