Seven new Jeep concept vehicles are set to debut in Moab, Utah, for the 49th annual Easter Jeep Safari, held March 28-April 5, 2015. The Easter Jeep Safari is one of most highly attended off-road events in the country, and thousands of enthusiasts will be there during the week-long adventure in some of the world’s most rugged and recognizable trails.
“Jeep is proud to be taking seven new eye-catching and extremely capable vehicles to the Easter Jeep Safari, where we expect to delight our most loyal enthusiasts,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand. “We go to this legendary event each year to showcase our latest Jeep production vehicles, as well as a variety of new ideas in our concept vehicles. In doing so, we receive a tremendous amount of valuable feedback, while interacting with our customers in the Jeep brand’s natural environment. We’re especially looking forward to this year’s Jeep Safari, as Renegade makes its official public debut on Moab’s demanding trails.”
Jeep Chief
The update on the ’70s era full-size Jeep Cherokee will feature a modified grille resembling the one that made the Cherokee and Wagoneer models famous. In addition, the Chief concept will include 17-inch slotted mag wheels, a two-inch lift with FOX shocks, Dana 44s front and rear, and halogen headlamps. For a modern update, the rig will also feature a 3.6-liter V6, and the UConnect 8.4-inch touchscreen media center.
Jeep Staff Car
A salute to the legendary Jeep military vehicles, the Jeep Staff Car offers basic steel wheels, and fender flares for that “flatty” look, no B-pillar, and no doors. It incorporates military-style round headlamps, a fender-mounted blackout lamp, a rear-mount spare tire, and vintage military gas can. The Jeep Staff Car rides on a Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit with FOX shocks, front and rear Dana 44s, and 16-inch wheels wrapped with 35-inch Firestone NDT military tires. Like the Chief, the Staff Car is also powered by a 3.6-liter V6 backed up by a six-speed manual transmission.
Jeep Wrangler Africa
The Wrangler Africa is coated in Desert Tan paint, and sports a high-clearance front bumper with a winch, an extended rear body, fender-mounted auxiliary fuel cans, and a high-top roof. Jeep was definitely going for the “Landy” look with this one. Powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine mated to an automatic transmission, it offers 17-inch body matched wheels with 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrains. A peek at its undercarriage reveals a two-inch lift kit, FOX shocks, sway bar links, and front and rear Dana 44s.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander
Featuring a one-off front fascia, front winch, tow hooks, larger wheel flares, SRT taillamps and hood, off-road rock rails, front and rear skid plates, and 18-inch milled wheels with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires, the Grand Cherokee-based Overlander concept is for the overland expedition off-roader. Its powertrain is the 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine mated to an eight-speed Torqueflight transmission. The rig is topped off with a spray-in truck bed coating on the roof and a two-person hard-shell rooftop tent.
Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk
You didn’t really think there wouldn’t be a Renegade in the bunch, did you? The Desert Hawk concept has off-road rock rails, a skid plate kit, and a topographical hood decal that depicts the Fins and Things Moab trail. Mopar Katzkin seat covers, body color bezel accents, and Mopar all-weather floor mats are featured inside. The Renegade Desert Hawk is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine with MultiAir2 mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive Low.
Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail
The Cherokee Canyon Trail’s Desert Tan exterior paint is accented with a Satin Black hood that includes a topographical hood decal showcasing Hell’s Revenge, a renowned off-road trail in Moab. JPP off-road rock rails, a two-piece fuel tank skid plate, two-piece underbody skid plate, and oil pan and front suspension skid plates help keep the underside safe. Seventeen-inch painted wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires provide a half-inch of lift. The 2.4-liter Tigershark, and nine-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive Lock (low range and a locking rear differential), power the Cherokee Canyon Trail.
Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder
Designed as a vehicular emergency response vehicle, the Red Rock Responder is filled with spare parts and tools stored in the built-in drawers and compartments of the cargo box. The vehicle sports LED headlamps and fog lights along with LED A-pillar and off-road lamps. Four inches of JPP lift, FOX shocks, and Dana 60s front and rear beef up the undercarriage. Side cargo boxes hold a hi lift jack and accessories, fire extinguisher, road side accessory kit, first aid kit, and Snap-On tool soft bags and recovery kit. The 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to an automatic transmission provides motivation.
So what do you think of these new Jeep concepts? Which are your favorites, and which one would you buy if it was put into production? Let us hear all about it in the Comments section below!