Jeep Wrangler Willys 392: 470 HP V8 at a Discounted Price

Jeep unveiled the Wrangler Willys 392 on February 12, 2026, the fourth special edition of its 'Twelve 4 Twelve' campaign celebrating the brand's 85th anniversary. Powered by the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 producing 470 hp and 637 Nm, this 4x4 starts at $69,995 — roughly €58,000 — making it the most affordable V8 Wrangler in the lineup, with a price gap of over $10,000 compared to the Moab 392.

"Our community has been clear: they want a Wrangler that returns to a more classic, back-to-basics formula, combined with the unmatched power of a V8." — Bob Broderdorf, CEO of Jeep

A V8 That's (Somewhat) Democratized

For years, wanting a V8 in a Wrangler meant pulling out your checkbook without hesitation. The Rubicon 392 at launch, then the Moab 392 at $82,585 this year, kept the myth of the "big engine for big budget" alive. The Willys 392 breaks this ceiling — relatively, of course, $70,000 is still a sum — by offering the same block for less.

This naturally aspirated 6.4-liter HEMI V8 delivers 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque (637 Nm). No turbo, no electrification. It's an engine that responds honestly and revs without electronic filtering between the driver and the noise. The dual-mode exhaust is standard, and if you don't know what that means in terms of decibels in a tunnel, you'll figure it out quickly.

What's in the Off-Road Kit

The factory preparation hasn't been sacrificed to justify the price. The 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tires mounted on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels are there. The Dana 44 axles with 4.56 gear ratio too. Add to that an electronic rear locking differential Tru-Lok, the full-time Selec-Trac transfer case, front and rear steel bumpers, rock rails, and 28 cm (11.1 inches) of ground clearance.

The hood features a cold air intake with a water separator — a functional detail that allows crossing water obstacles without risking hydrolocking the engine. That's not styling, it's engineering.

On the rear face, a "4 Wheel Drive" graphic in heritage style. The hood carries "Willys" lettering in block font reminiscent of military vehicles. On paper, the homage is deliberate without falling into costume territory.

When Can You Order the Willys 392?

According to Jeep, order books open in March 2026 in the United States. For now, the model is confirmed only for the U.S. market, as Motor1 indicates. No information on potential availability in Europe or Canada has been released to date.

The Interior: Not Stripped Down

"Back-to-basics" in Jeep's communication doesn't mean plastic bench seats and a cassette radio. The Willys 392's cabin features Nappa leather front seats with power adjustment and heating, a 12.3-inch screen with navigation, an Alpine 9-speaker audio system, and four programmable auxiliary switches for additional accessories. The soft top is standard.

It's better equipped than a base Wrangler, clearly less loaded than a Moab 392. The logic is consistent with the pricing positioning.

How Does It Stack Up Against Competitors?

The Ford Bronco Raptor sits around $70,000 but only offers 418 hp from its twin-turbo V6. The Land Rover Defender V8 easily exceeds €120,000 in Europe. In this regard, the 470 hp for under $70,000 of the Willys 392 represents an offer that's hard to match in the true off-road 4x4 segment at this price point — at least on the U.S. market.

The difference with the Moab 392 isn't about the engine but the standard equipment. The Moab starts from a higher trim base, which explains