Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Is Jeep planning a Hemi V8 Wrangler?

American Expedition Vehicles, a Jeep aftermarket conversion firm from Montana, recently stuffed a Chrysler 392 Hemi between the fenders of a Wrangler for Jeep CEO Michael Manley. This is the same 392 Hemi that powers the 470-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT8 392.

According to sources close to Chrysler, the 392-powered Jeep wasn't just built on a lark. Manley's Wrangler is apparently a mule for "executive evaluation." That's Chrysler speak for "they might build it." Manley's vehicle channels its 470 hp through a six-speed manual and will reportedly slide its back end in third gear with liberal application of the throttle. All we can say is this: Build it. Right now.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/i...i-v8-wrangler/

mmarshall

I don't see a case for an SRT-8 Wrangler. First of all, Jeep already had the last-generation SRT-8 Grand-Cherokee, and I understand a new SRT JGC is coming as well. It didn't sell in large numbers like most JGC models do, and also, unlike them, had severe towing and off-road restrictions. Who wants a Jeep, even with the SRT's power, that can't act like a Jeep? And the SRT JGC, of course, though more agile than a standard JGC, still doesn't handle as well as other, lower-stance SRT Chrysler products like the 300, Charger, Challenger, etc.....

I see more or less the same comparisions for the Wrangler, especially if Jeep restricts its towing or off-road capabilities with an SRT Hemi. People buy Wranglers to go off-roading and have fun, not to do smoky-burnouts on dry pavement with Mustangs and Camaros (many Wrangler owners, unlike most other SUV owners these days, do go off-road).

IS-SV

For a variety of reasons I don't expect it to go into production.

mmarshall

I don't know exactly how the new Chrysler/Jeep Chain-of-Command structure is set up, but my at least half-educated guess on this matter is that Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne would have to sign off on it, and I wouldn't bet the monthly rent on that happening.

lamar411

If it goes into production i will test drive one.

<VENOM>

To answer your questions the SRT8 JGC, of course it had towing issues, the pipes came out in the center where a normal tow hitch would be, and with the low profile tires combined with a lower body was not meant for offroading, most if not all SRT8 owners are really into the performance aspect of the vehicle, a quick youtube search pulls many videos of them at the track, it competes with other high end SUV, that are really nothing more then modern day wagons

I doubt an SRT8 Wrangler is planned at Chrysler, a low volume regular Hemi might be more realistic, I have had 2 friends with lifted Wranglers that had LS1 swaps

bad co

Same here but thats about it LOL!

mmarshall

I didn't really have questions per se, and I'm familiar with why high-performance trucks and SUVs often have towing/off-road restrictions. We saw the same restrictions, some time ago, with the Chevy/GMC Typhoon and Syclone, Ford Lightning, and Dodge Ram Viper.

Another reason for restrictions, although perhaps less-well-understood, is the torque-curve for these engines. Typical truck-use engines meant for towing and carrying heavy loads, especially truck-diesels, generally have max-torque at lower RPMs to prevent the engine lugging while accelerating at lower speeds. Conversely, high-performance trucks and SUVs often have the HP/torque peaks at higher RPMs, where the torque curve is not as appropriate for towing.


I agree that the regular 5.7L Hemi would make more sense than the 6.2L.......but I'm not sure there is a need to go this route in the first place.

And, though it may not be a deal-breaker for a potential Wrangler Hemi owner, can you just imagine what the gas mileage would be on an engine that size crawling around off-road with a 4WD-Low-Range transfer-case and first-gear? It would likely be as bad, if not worse, than the largest Suburbans and Expedition XLs. Very soon, trucks and SUVs are going to stop getting an easy-ride from the EPA.....they are going to have much-stricter mileage/emission standards, like regular cars do.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

6.4L*

10 char

AJL0365

I can say this for a fact since I work for a Chrysler dealer & Have reviewed the site which only a Chrysler employee with access can register/log onto.

Chrysler will be building these Wranglers but Special order only, as of like how the Long Wheel Base 300 was a special only order vehicle. not many people know about them so of course not many will purchase them or be made.

the wrangler is already a chugger when it comes to gas, i could only imagine how much this special model will use.

but its not the SRT version, it is the regular Hemi engine.