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Build a Jeep Gladiator 392 next? The Hummer H3T Alpha blazed the trail

The 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392 will combine the go-anywhere capability of a Jeep's iconic off-roader with the grunt of a V8 for the first time in decades. As cool as that is, we can't help but think Jeep is missing out on a huge opportunity to pair that 470-horsepower, 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with the Wrangler's pickup cousin, the Jeep Gladiator, in the form of a Mojave 392.  Autoblog took part in a media Q&A session with Jeep ahead of the Rubicon 392's announcement in which the company's product higher-ups said that there are currently no official plans to build a 392 variant of the Gladiator pickup. But whether or not Jeep has plans, it certainly has precedent, and from our perspective, a market.  Rewind to 2008, better known as one of the worst possible years to introduce a gas-guzzling, V8-powered pickup truck. Enter the 2009 Hummer H3T Alpha, the first variant of Hummer's midsize truck/SUV hybrid to be offered with a 5.3-liter V8. The 300-horsepower small-block was an upgrade to the sturdy but relatively uninspiring 3.7-liter inline-5 that the H3 lineup had inherited from its midsize pickup platform mates.  As our Jeremy Korzeniewski noted in the Rubicon 392's introductory piece, an open-top Jeep has not been offered with an optional V8 for as long as the "Wrangler" nameplate has existed. The last Jeep 4x4 to do so was still a CJ, or civilian Jeep, and the 304 cubic-inch engine came from American Motors Corporation. Incidentally, this generation of the Wrangler is also the first to be offered in a pickup variant. Cue the beard-stroking.  Now, frankly, it's not even remotely fair to compare the H3T's powertrain offerings to the decade-newer Gladiator's, but the Hummer actually boasts a few advantages over Jeep's modern pickup. While most of the Jeep's off-road specs give it an edge, the Gladiator doesn't come close to the H3T's 30.1-degree departure angle, for instance. And in more practical terms, the stubbier H3T has other maneuverability advantages. The Gladiator has 3" of wheelbase and 5" of overall length on the H3T, and a 22.4-foot turning radius to show for it. The Hummer's? Just 18.5'.

Jeep's 75th Anniversary Wrangler Salute rolls down the line

UPDATE: The commemorative 75th Anniversary Jeep Wrangler rolled down the assembly line in Toledo, Ohio today. With its roll bar, doors, and rear seat removed, it really does pay fitting tribute to the classic Willy military models of the past. The 419 area code stenciled on the bumper and date on the hood look period appropriate. Well done, Jeep. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the Jeep Wrangler was born, but the automaker claims the legendary off-roader as we know it today was officially created in 1941. On July 15th of that year, the US Government awarded Willys-Overland with a contract to build the Willys MB, which quickly got the nickname "jeep". To commemorate its 75th anniversary, Jeep has created a WWII-themed Wrangler that pays homage to the Willys MB. The gorgeous concept most likely won't see the road, which is a shame as the rugged one-off yanks at the heartstrings of truck enthusiasts and historians alike. Based on of the current Wrangler Sport, the olive-drab Wrangler 75th Salute concept imitates the original Willys MB to the tee. The concept has no B-pillars, no doors, no roll bars and honors the "function over form" styling of the original military vehicle. The concept rides on 16-inch steel wheels that are wrapped in 32-inch non-directional tires and features vintage-looking hood latches, steel front and rear bumpers with tow hooks, and low back canvas seats. The Salute concept will be built on the same assembly line in Toledo, OH that has produced the Wrangler for decades. In addition to putting out an image of the concept, Jeep also touched on the rich history of the original Willys MB, which you can read below. Related Video: In July 1940, the U.S. military informed automakers that it was looking for a "light reconnaissance vehicle" to replace the Army's motorcycle and modified Ford Model-T vehicles. The Army invited 135 manufacturers to bid on production and developed a lengthy specification list for the vehicle, including a 600-lb. load capacity, wheelbase less than 75 inches, height less than 36 inches, smooth-running engine from 3 to 50 miles per hour, rectangular-shaped body, four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, fold-down windshield, three bucket seats, blackout and driving lights and a gross vehicle weight below 1,300 lbs.

2015 Easter Jeep Safari concepts unveiled [w/videos]

A yearly tradition, Jeep has unveiled seven new concepts that will participate in the 49th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT, in just a couple of weeks. This event is a sort of mecca for Jeep owners and enthusiasts, and like years past, FCA's off-road brand has prepared a slew of excellent new concepts that use a combination of production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts, from the folks at Mopar. These concepts are far more than just production Jeep vehicles with lift kits and off-road tires, though. What we have here are a number of fully baked, one-off SUVs that show the passion and dedication of Jeep's engineers. The Easter Jeep Safari takes place from March 28 to April 5. Here's a look at what'll be hitting the trails this year. 2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Chief View 20 Photos Jeep Chief Arguably the coolest concept of the bunch, this Wrangler-based concept is an excellent tribute to the classic, fullsize Jeep Cherokee from the 1970s. It's painted in a vintage Ocean Blue color, with a white, "French Bread" roof. There's also a custom razor grille (something made famous on the original Wagoneer), removable sides, chrome bumpers, and classic-looking, 17-inch wheels. Inside, there's surfer-inspired pink, blue, and white cloth mixed with leather trim, with more fun details like a Rosewood front passenger grab handle and tiki-look shift handle. Of course, this thing looks to be truly capable off-road, too, with a two-inch lift kit, Fox shocks, Dana 44 axles at the front and rear, and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 underhood. 2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Staff Car View 27 Photos Jeep Staff Car This one's a proper salute to the Jeep military service vehicles of yore. It's an open-air concept based on the four-door Wrangler, with tons of heritage design cues. It looks old, but we promise, it's totally new. It's got basic steel wheels, a stretched canvas roof, bench seats, a painted steel floor, a built-in cooler that accommodates up to 85 cans, and is painted in an iconic Sandstorm color. When the going gets tough, the Staff Car can handle it with aplomb, thanks to the Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit, Fox shocks, Dana 44 axles, and again, the Wrangler's 3.6-liter V6. 2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Wrangler Africa View 16 Photos Jeep Wrangler Africa Here's another take on the Wrangler Unlimited, painted in Desert Tan, but this time powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine.