There's something for everyone.
Jeep fanatics can look forward to seven concept vehicles at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, equipped with the latest prototype and production parts, giving fans a look at what's available now and what will be available in the future.
The central theme for this year is electrified power, and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar was put in charge of creating these seven cars to persuade its loyal customers that electricity isn't necessarily a bad word. While this sounds daunting, it's worth remembering that the Wrangler 4xe is the best-selling plug-in hybrid in America.
"Every year, more than 20,000 Jeep enthusiasts descend on Moab, Utah, for Easter Jeep Safari to wheel in the most extreme off-road conditions, where our engineers continue to push the capability of our Jeep vehicles to next levels," said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. "It's the perfect place to showcase our seven new Jeep concepts, because it's with these Jeep enthusiasts that we'll be able to push the limits even more and get their feedback on where they want to take the Jeep brand into the future."
Here's a list of the seven concepts attending the Easter Safari.
The Magneto was Jeep's first fully electric concept, dating back to 2021. Version 2.0 was introduced last year, and now we have the latest version.
The Magneto is unique because it doesn't use a dual-motor setup to create a faux four-wheel-drive system without any mechanical connections. Instead, it has a custom-built axial flux electric motor mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Initially, this electric motor produced 285 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, which Jeep turned up to 625 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque for version 2.0.
Version 3.0 boasts a more efficient electric motor, which Jeep claims is 20% more efficient. Drivers can also select between two power settings, called standard and maximum. This is a genius idea because rock climbing with 900 lb-ft of torque available from 1 rpm sounds like a recipe for disaster.
The standard output is 285 hp and 273 lb-ft, and the maximum setting takes it up to 650 hp and 900 lb-ft. A two-stage regeneration system is also included. It can either be off or on. Nice and simple. Jeep says it has an aggressive hill descent control system for one-pedal driving in extreme rock crawling situations.
For additional off-road ability, Jeep has equipped Magneto 3.0 with Dynatrac 60 front axles, Dynatrac 80 rear axles, 20-inch off-road beadlock wheels, a three-inch lift, and 40-inch mud terrain tires.
Jeep changed the proportions of the Magneto. The door opening has been moved six inches rearward, while the B-pillar was moved 2.4 inches back to make space for a new custom anti-roll bar. The windscreen has been raked back by 12 degrees.
The Bright White and Surf Blue hues used on 1.0 and 2.0 have been carried over, while 3.0 adds more vibrant exterior details like red accents.
The Scrambler 392 is an homage to the 1981 Jeep Scrambler, the American automaker's first convertible compact truck. Jeep started with a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, equipped with a 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft.
In this concept, the windshield is slanted back by 12 degrees, and the roofline is lower, a nod to chopped-top hotrods. We dig the two-door design on the four-door chassis, but this is more than just a style exercise. It should be tremendous fun to drive as Jeep replaced several body parts with custom carbon fiber bodywork to reduce the weight. This includes a carbon fiber hood with a clear-tinted insert to see the engine and a carbon fiber roof.
Jeep is using the Scrambler to showcase the newly released AccuAir air suspension kit, available for the Wrangler and Gladiator. This new suspension kit can lift the car between 1.5 to 5.5 inches while on the move, and you can also control the system on your phone using Bluetooth connectivity.
It has custom bumpers front and rear, new fender flares, and 20-inch rims with 40-inch rubber. The Scrambler is finished in Sublime Green, while the rims and two hooks are painted Brass Monkey for a nice contrast.
The 1974 two-door Jeep Cherokee (SJ) was built explicitly for shoppers looking for something sportier, though Jeep and "sporty" are not often mentioned in the same sentence. Jeep wanted to put a new spin on the old car, so it found a '78 Jeep Cherokee and bolted the powertrain from the Wrangler 4xe under the hood.
That means it has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, two electric motors, an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and a 4:1 transfer case.
Jeep kept the exterior vintage, opting for a 1970s-inspired multicolor livery. Even the 17-inch alloys and 37-inch rubber don't look out of place.
On the inside, it has low-back buckets trimmed in leather. The rear seats were removed to fit a roll cage, while the trunk now houses a full-size spare.
There's nothing new about the powertrain and the running gear. It's a stretch to call this one a concept, as it's essentially a styling exercise. The team was inspired by the limited-edition Tuscadero Pink exterior hue available on Wranglers for the 2021 model year.
The color returns on this concept, but it's tougher than before, and it's offset by various gloss black accents. To round it off, the team fit the seven-slot grille from the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary model.
This model also has the AccuAir air suspension kit, 17-inch gloss black American Expedition Vehicle Borah wheels, and 37-inch tires.
This concept was built to prove that the Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer are perfect starting points for creating an overland vehicle. The Overland Concept is equipped with the new w 3.0-liter Hurricane Twin Turbo 510 engine, producing 510 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. It's the perfect engine choice, as you can go much further on a tank of fuel than you can with the V8.
The most noticeable addition is the custom RedTail Overland Skyloft on the roof, which provides a comfortable place to sleep within 10 seconds. But this is not your standard rooftop tent because you can get in without leaving the car. Jeep removed the second and third-row seats, repositioned the rear sunroof, and installed a custom weatherproof pass-through entrance to make this possible.
With most of the seats removed, the interior provides ample space for equipment and can also be used to change clothes. Jeep still wanted to retain some semblance of practicality, so the rear-seat entertainment system was kept in place. Jeep added a throw rug, pillows, ambient lighting, and two oversized bean bags to make it feel more homely.
It has all the obligatory overland equipment, including a Warn winch, two custom laser lights, and 35-inch tires that provide a 1.5-inch lift.
This is a standard Wrangler 4xe that showcases conceptual items from JPP by Mopar, most likely to judge interest from attendees.
These include a new spare wheel mount that Jeep claims pushes the boundaries of the off-roader's departure angle. It allows the owner to mount the spare on the inside or outside, allowing for a better departure angle or more loading capacity in the trunk. Another excellent item is the custom-designed tubular grille guard that folds down and doubles as seating for two. And don't forget about the new flat-fender flares and wheel liners with removable daytime running lights. These fenders have already been declared legal in all 50 states and meet all tire coverage requirements.
Another new concept is the header-mounted 11-inch square LED lights mounted on custom brackets. The bracket allows the light to swivel away when the windscreen is lowered.
Finally, there's a new concept instrument panel accessory rail to which owners can mount phones or other accessories to record their trips.
As you can see, the Departure Concept is also equipped with the necessary kit needed for a serious off-road adventure.
The Sideburn is finished in Solar Flash Yellow and was built to showcase new tools for off-road adventurers. It has Bilstein performance shock absorbers, a two-inch lift kit, black HRE 17x9 six-spoke wheels, and 37-inch tires.
It also has the same tubular seating system as the Departure Concept above. For the rest of the kit, JPP turned to existing customers and asked them what they wanted. The result is a pair of removable 11-inch LED lights attached to the roof panels, suspended by custom brackets. These lights feature a quick-disconnect feature for easy removal.
You can also see a new JPP Gladiator Sports Bar made from carbon fiber and steel. It has bed steps and mid-shelf tie-downs for portable storage totes. There are four T-track rails on the upper portion of the bar, making it easier to install mounts for adventure accessories like bikes and kayaks.
If all goes well, we expect the concept features on all these Jeep models mentioned in this article to become available on the JPP website soon.
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