Jeep EJS Concept Vehicles, Part Two: Modern Looks, Classic Utility

Here in Part Two, we’re discussing Jeep’s concept vehicles heading to the 2016 Easter Jeep Safari. However, these vehicles comprise the more modern side of the seven rigs headed to Moab, Utah, as opposed to the throwback models we showed you last week. Let’s dive in, starting with the Renegade Commander.

Jeep Renegade Commander

A model name like “Renegade Commander” calls to mind the famous General Jack D. Ripper of Dr. Strangelove fame – but we digress. The Renegade Commander is, you guessed it, based on the Jeep Renegade, which is Jeep’s latest model and a contender in the compact SUV market. Diehard Jeep enthusiasts may not always give the Renegade a warm embrace, but the Commander concept does seem to give the spunky runt a few rough edges.

Right away, the Commander has some sweet upgrades. It starts with 29.5 BF Goodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires. Next, it rides on a JPP two-inch lift kit and 17-inch Rubicon aluminum wheels. Mopar off-road rock sliders will offer protection on the trail, as will the skidplates on the underside. The interior features Katzkin seat covers, all-weather floor mats, and body color bezel accents, while the outside can be modified thanks to removable roof panels.

Jeep Comanche

We all remember the Jeep Comanche, right? A successor to the CJ-based Scrambler, the Comanche was based on the Cherokee XJ platform and offered Jeep lovers the ability to still have a pickup bed. Built from 1985 to 1992, it was gone all too quickly, and finding one in good shape today is no easy task.

Jeep has clearly heard the demand, and hence we have the new Comanche concept. For better or worse, it’s based on the Renegade platform, which may upset fans to hear. Nevertheless, it does have a lot going for it: 32-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrains, 16-inch wheels, five-foot bed, two-inch lift kit, integrated winch, soft top, and a stretched wheelbase. Will it be well-received at EJS? Only time will tell.

Jeep Trailcat

Jeep fans have yearned for a factory-made pickup for a while now, but recently, there’s also been demand for something else: a Hellcat-powered Wrangler. Well folks, rejoice! The 707-horsepower supercharged V8 that started with the Dodge Challenger is now in a Jeep, and that Jeep is the Trailcat.

Jeep Trailcat Concept Interior

It wasn’t as simple as swapping one engine for the other, obviously. To make it happen, the JK chassis had to be stretched by 12 inches. The roof was also modified by being chopped two inches. The drivetrain consists of Dana 60 front and rear axles, transmitting the grunt of the V8 to 39.5-inch BF Goodrich Krawler T/A KX tires wrapped around 17-inch beadlock wheels.

Jeep Trailstorm

Jeep’s design team loves the JK, don’t they? Okay, we do too. That’s why we’re digging the Trailstorm. It’s nowhere near as powerful as the Trailcat, but what it lacks in power it more than makes up for in style, thanks in part to its desert camouflage wrap.

On top of that, the Trailstorm is made up of several JPP products, like its 17-inch concept wheels, two-inch lift kit, Rubicon winch, and so on. It has half doors for better visibility while out on the trail, and runs on the standard Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 with Dana 44 front and rear axles. Other touches include LED lighting elements, Mopar off-road rock sliders, bigger brakes, and a concept fast-back soft top.