Jeep succumbed to Hellcat temptation with the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, but the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 won’t appear in a Wrangler or Gladiator. The problem is the size: By Jeep’s own admission, the Hellcat fits “like a glove” in the Wrangler, which means it fits too snugly to allow sufficient crumple space in an accident. Rest assured, though — safety has never stopped aftermarket tuners. Neither has common sense.
Exhibit A: Barrett-Jackson is auctioning “The Inferno” from California-based Exotic Custom Motorsports, a heavily-modified 2016 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 75th Anniversary Hard Rock edition. The truck has a Hellcat engine; Barrett-Jackson lists it at the factory figure of 707 hp, though Exotic Custom claims 750 hp. It has been built out into a 6×6, with a custom-built driveline and three live axles. Other modifications include a five-inch lift kit, 35-inch tires, and a custom one-off Inferno Red paint finish. Lest someone thinks this Wrangler does not mean business, it has one of those custom angry face Jeep grilles.
The Inferno appeared at SEMA 2018. But has hardly been driven with just “125 actual miles.” (No word on how many imaginary miles have been racked up in it, however.) It will be auctioned with no reserve at the company’s Northeast 2019 auction June 26–29.
This Wrangler mod should appeal to a limited clientele. Poor gas mileage presumably limits its daily-driving potential. It’s a tad aggressive for a first date. And while rolling into the school parking lot in the Inferno may send you rocketing up the dad pecking order, getting out a step ladder to load your child into her car seat would negate any advantage gained.
That said, the Inferno is probably not as cartoonishly large as one would think. The Wrangler Unlimited is not that long of a car; even adding about three feet for the 6×6 only brings the truck to the length of an F-150. It could work as a daily driver in regular life…but hopefully, the Inferno winds up in the sort of lavish, desert-adjacent garage full of toys it deserves.
