After swearing off V8 engines for good, Jeep has rediscovered interest in this powertrain type and is promising us a whole dozen of eight-cylinder Wrangler specials for 2026. One of them is the Moab 392, expected to be priced a cool $20,000 below the old Hemi V8 despite packing more equipment.
The special series celebrates 60 years since the start of the Jeep Easter Safari in the Moab Desert. It relies on the familiar Wrangler engine to extract 470 PS (464 hp / 346 kW) and 637 Nm (470 lb-ft) of torque out of 6.4 liters of displacement. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivers the torque to all four wheels.
According to current Jeep CEO Robert Broderdorf, it was the “feedback” from “the fans” that prompted the company to bring the V8 back into the Wrangler lineup. We suspect some of that feedback came in the form of poor sales of underpowered, overpriced Jeeps, but we’ll leave the conclusions to you.
Elsewhere, the Wrangler Moab 392 features an active-valve exhaust system, sway bars that you can toggle on and off as needed, and 17-inch beadlock-protected wheels shod in 35-inch tires. Wheel arch and side sill extensions, towing hooks, Nappa leather upholstery and an Alpine-branded premium audio system are all listed under standard trim features.
While this may be just a pricey limited edition, Jeep is getting ready to unveil 11 more of these over the next 12 months, in a marketing campaign self-descriptively called “Twelve 4 Twelve”. Prices for the Moab 392 start from U.S. $79,995, which is much more realistic than the $100,590 of the current Rubicon 392 V8 but still on the upmarket side. It remains to be seen whether there are any true bargains down the line.
