Hemi V8 to power Jeep Gladiator ute and more Wranglers

Perth Now

2 days ago

Jeep has confirmed its big-bore 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will be offered in the Gladiator dual-cab pickup for the first time, as well as more widely across the Wrangler lineup.
It comes after the lauded 5.7-litre Hemi V8 returned to the Ram 1500 pickup range following the relaxation of US fuel consumption and emissions regulations, with the supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat V8 of the defunct TRX potentially returning next.
The news is significant, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 – a limited-edition model variant name that denotes its engine displacement in cubic inches – was expected to be discontinued after 2023, and had even received a Final Edition.
Instead, Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf told US media late last week not only that the 6.4-litre 'Apache' V8 wasn't going anywhere, but would become more widely available across the Wrangler and, for the first time, Gladiator lineups – and potentially other Jeep model lines.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Jeep. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Above: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
'Jeep fans, don't worry, the 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will have a home at Jeep,' he said. 'After being out at the Rubicon Trail, it's clear just how much people love the roar of the 392.
'We will extend the availability of the 392 Wrangler and, in fact, we will tap the power and performance of the Hemi across Jeep products as new projects are already underway.'
Jeep's global boss confirmed the Gladiator will also join the V8 club with its own Rubicon 392 variant, which should produce the same 336kW of power and 610Nm of torque as the Wrangler Rubicon 392. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Above: Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf
'Wrangler and Gladiator fans, and Hemi fans in general, don't worry – we got you,' said Mr Broderdorf.
However, it remains to be seen whether any V8 Jeeps will be sold in Australia, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is so far produced only in left-hand drive and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is now applying penalties to auto brands that don't meet tightening CO2 emissions limits.
'Nothing to announce on the 392s but will let you know if we do,' a Jeep Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Another handbrake in the chances of the V8-powered Wrangler or Gladiator coming to Australia is slowing sales of the former, with Wrangler sales down almost 47 per cent in the first half of this year.
In response, Jeep Australia last month axed entry-level Sport S and mid-range Overland variants of the Wrangler, leaving only two-door and four-door versions of its flagship Rubicon trim remaining on sale here, priced slightly lower at $79,990 and $82,990 respectively in updated MY25 guise, before on-road costs.
Meantime, the Gladiator dual-cab is available in just one flagship MY25 Rubicon variant that's also priced slightly lower at $82,990 plus on-roads, following a 16.6 per cent sale increase to June in 2025. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Above: 2026 Jeep Compass
However, the Gladiator remains Australia's slowest-selling pre-existing dual-cab 4×4 ute, with fewer than 200 examples sold so far this year.
And Jeep Australia sales are down more than 19 per cent despite the Grand Cherokee increasing in popularity by more than 44 per cent to become its best-seller once again, at least until runout stocks are sold and the large SUV is discontinued in this market.
Jeep Compass sales are down by more than two-thirds in one of the fastest growing segments (small SUV) in 2025, but a new generation will be released locally in the second half of 2026. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Above: Jeep Wagoneer S
Confirmed for Australian release back in 2022, the Wagoneer S mid-size electric SUV and the more hardcore Jeep Recon EV, which is expected to launch in the US in November, now appear to be further out than 2026.
'For now, we have new Compass coming second half of next year and will update you on the others closer to [launch]' said the Jeep Australia spokesperson.
A new Cherokee mid-size SUV will be released late this year in the US but won't come to Australia, although mild-hybrid and perhaps 4xe all-wheel drive versions of Jeep's first EV, the Avenger, are expected to be sold here.
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