Jeep has once again revealed a number of cool concepts for the 51st Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari, including vehicles based on the Compass, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler.
Teaming up with parts and tuning arm Mopar, the American SUV specialist has created a selection of six new show cars featuring a number of off-road-inspired modifications.
“Jeep and Mopar have teamed up over 15 years to create unique, fun and highly capable concept vehicles for the popular Easter Jeep Safari in Moab,” said Pietro Gorlier, head of parts and service at Mopar.
“These concept vehicles are a perfect example of how off-road enthusiasts can use Jeep Performance Parts to personalize and enhance the already outstanding Jeep capability, allowing them to face the toughest trails in the world.”
Jeep Grand One
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Grand Cherokee nameplate, the Jeep Grand One concept is a “modernised spin” on the 1993 ‘ZJ’ Grand Cherokee.
On the outside, the Grand One features custom 18-inch lace-style alloy wheels – a similar style to those on the original – high-clearance fender flares, an extended wheelbase and trimmed fascias.
Adding to the off-roader’s look are 33-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tyres wrap around the lacy rims, while selectable locking differentials have been installed on the front and rear axles, along with a two-inch (51mm) suspension lift.
Inside, the Grand One features 90s-inspired materials and trims, along with an old-school car phone and a bed liner to replace the carpet.
Under the bonnet the Grand One concept features a 5.2-litre V8 petrol engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep Safari
Based on the Wrangler off-roader, the Safari concept features a translucent hard-top roof, two-level aluminium cargo rack with incorporated drone, a raked windscreen, LED headlights and custom LED tail-lights.
On the sides the Safari features special “windoors” crafted from lightweight aluminium and clear vinyl, giving rear-seat occupants a clearer view out of the vehicle – they also include zipper openings to let in fresh air.
Inside, the rear seats have been rotated slightly outwards for greater visibility, while at the from there’s a custom instrument panel with an integrated iPad.
Other modifications include Dana 44 axles at the front and rear with selectable differential locks and a two-inch (51mm) lift, 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tyres with custom 18-inch alloy wheels, custom full-length skid plates, steel front and rear bumpers, an integrated on-board air system, upgraded brakes and a unique cold air intake.
The Jeep Safari concept is powered by the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine, coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep Quicksand
The second Wrangler-based concept is a loud and fast hotrod designed to tear up sand dunes.
Powered by a Mopar 392 Crate Hemi engine mated to a six-speed Getrag manual transmission, the Jeep Quicksand concept also features exposed headers and a “peekaboo” cutout in the bonnet to add to the vintage hot rod feel.
Other upgrades include a longer wheelbase, trimmed front and rear body panels, chopped hardtop and windscreen, along with an open roof and windows.
Inside, the Quicksand features a minimalist design with red accents, two low-back bucket seats, flat aluminium door panels, tilt-out windscreen glass and a chrome roll bar.
Filling the arches are 18-inch vintage ‘kidney bean’ alloy wheels wrapped in 32-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tyres at the front and 37-inch rubber at the rear, along with coilover shocks.
Up front there’s also a winch concealed in a Moon rank, while a recovery rope is mounted at the rear replacing the traditional drag racer’s parachute.
Jeep Trailpass
Next up is the Trailpass concept, based on the company’s newest family member – the all-new Compass Trailhawk.
With a 1.5-inch (38mm) lift kit, 18-inch alloy wheels with a unique orange accent and Continental TerrainContact tyres, the Trailpass takes the rugged Trailhawk variant one step further.
Other exterior enhancements include gloss black side mirror caps, custom bonnet decals, side straps, tinted headlights and tail-lights, along with a Mopar/Thule roof basket with roof bag and traction mats.
Inside, the Jeep Trailpass concept features custom Katzkin leather seats and armrest, body-colour bezels and all-weather floor mats.
Under the bonnet is the Trailhawk’s 2.4-litre Tigershark petrol engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep Switchback
Based on the Wrangler, the Switchback concept is equipped with an assortment of Mopar and Jeep Performance parts to offer the ultimate off-road performance.
Front and rear Dana 44 axles feature, along with a four-inch (101.6mm) lift with Remote Reservoir Fox shocks, heavy-duty cast differential covers, 10th Anniversary steel front and rear bumpers, Rubicon winch, grille, winch guard and cold air intake.
Adding to the Switchback’s off-road capabilities are an axle-back exhaust system and 17-inch concept wheels wrapped in 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tyres.
Other highlights include a concept bonnet and half doors, wheel arch flares, oversize spare tyre carrier, along with an LED light bar, A-pillar lamps, tail-lights, headlights and fog-lights.
Under the bonnet is the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission.’
Jeep Luminator
Yet another concept based on the Wrangler off-roader, the Luminator specialises in off-road lighting to deliver enhanced visibility when driving on the Moab trail.
Highlights include magnetic underbody rock lights, a 7.0-inch LED projector headlights, LED tail-lights, A-pillar-mounted LED spot lights, upper bumper LED auxiliary lighting with cornering fog-lights, low-profile integrated LED spot lights behind the windscreen, along with LED versions of the standard 100mm fog-lights and grille-mounted indicators unique to the Wrangler.
At the rear, there’s also a special LED stop light with four-colour LEDs for trail rides, indicating stop (red), 1-3mph (1.6-5km/h, amber), 3-25mph (5-40km/h, green) or rear flood lighting (white).
Other features include a roof-mounted solar panel, drone launching pad with lighted drone, along with a capacitive touchscreen display on the driver-side rear window linked to GPS and internet services.
Jeep CJ66
Jeep is also showing its CJ66 concept that was revealed at the SEMA show earlier this year, which combines the current Wrangler’s frame with a 1966 Wangler CJ body.
Under the bonnet is a 5.7-litre Hemi engine producing 383hp (286kW) mated to a six-speed manual transmsission, with other headlining features including a cat-back exhaust, 17-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in 35-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, oversized concept wheel arch flares, Mopar Dana 44 Crate front and rear axles, rock rails, LED amber fog-lights, cropped windscreen and seats from the Dodge Viper supercar.
The Copper Canyon orange skin is contrasted with matte-black CJ66 side stripes and bonnet, while inside the CJ66 features the centre console and shifter from the JK Wrangler, along with Mopar instrument panel gauges and Mopar all-weather mats.
The Easter Jeep Safari consists of trail rides departing from Moab, Utah, throughout a nine-day event that first started in 1967.
Jeep and Mopar’s concepts showcase a variety of Jeep Performance Parts available to enthusiasts, along with a range of concept components.
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