Seven New Concepts Prepare To Crawl Moab In 49th Annual Event
These concepts are far more than just production Jeep vehicles with lift kits and off-road tires, though. What we have here are a number of fully baked, one-off SUVs that show the passion and dedication of Jeep's engineers.
The Easter Jeep Safari takes place from March 28 to April 5. Here's a look at what'll be hitting the trails this year.
2015 EASTER JEEP SAFARI CONCEPTS: JEEP CHIEF
Jeep Chief
Arguably the coolest concept of the bunch, this Wrangler-based concept is an excellent tribute to the classic, fullsize Jeep Cherokee from the 1970s.
It's painted in a vintage Ocean Blue color, with a white, "French Bread" roof. There's also a custom razor grille (something made famous on the original Wagoneer), removable sides, chrome bumpers, and classic-looking, 17-inch wheels.
Inside, there's surfer-inspired pink, blue, and white cloth mixed with leather trim, with more fun details like a Rosewood front passenger grab handle and tiki-look shift handle. Of course, this thing looks to be truly capable off-road, too, with a two-inch lift kit, Fox shocks, Dana 44 axles at the front and rear, and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 underhood.
Jeep Staff Car
It looks old, but we promise, it's totally new. It's got basic steel wheels, a stretched canvas roof, bench seats, a painted steel floor, a built-in cooler that accommodates up to 85 cans, and is painted in an iconic Sandstorm color.
When the going gets tough, the Staff Car can handle it with aplomb, thanks to the Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit, Fox shocks, Dana 44 axles, and again, the Wrangler's 3.6-liter V6.
Jeep Wrangler Africa
Here's another take on the Wrangler Unlimited, painted in Desert Tan, but this time powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine. It looks killer, with 17-inch, body-colored steel wheels wrapped in 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.
Again, there's a two-inch lift kit, Dana 44 axles, and Fox shocks. But this one also adds things like a front winch, power step rock rails, power dome vented hood and an extended rear body and high-top roof.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander
It's not all about Wranglers at Jeep, and this Grand Cherokee concept shows exactly that – a unique take on the company's largest SUV. It wears Sage Green paint, with a custom front fascia, winch, tow hooks, SRT taillamps and hood, off-road rock rails, skid plates, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and more.
Under the hood is Jeep's 3.0-liter diesel V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission. And to top it all off, there's a two-person, hard-shell rooftop tent that we're told is easily deployable.
Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk
The cute little Renegade gets some Moab love this year, outfitted with a selection of Jeep Performance Parts and Mopar accessories. It wears Desert Tan paint with a huge JPP decal, has a topographical hood decal, and features a Mopar trailer hitch and roof rack.
Inside, there are Katzkin seat covers, body-colored bezel accents, and all-weather floormats from Mopar. This concept is powered by the Renegade's 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine, with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail
Off-road capability is enhanced with a two-piece underbody skid plate, oil pan and front suspension skid plates, and unique 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, which provide an additional half-inch of lift. This concept is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, like the Renegade.
Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder
This one's a a support vehicle, designed to travel the toughest terrain with only the best off-road equipment. Jeep has also fitted this concept with a bunch of spare parts and tools, with built-in drawers and compartments in the cargo box. There's also a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and more – all designed to rescue stranded vehicles.
It won't be hard to miss this one, painted Vibrance Responder Red with hydraulic hood props, high-top fender flares and 17-inch beadlock wheels. It's even got LED headlamps and foglamps, as well as LED A-pillar and off-road lamps.
The wheels are wrapped in 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires, and comes equipped with Fox shocks and Dana 60 axles with 5.38 gearing. It's also got a cold air intake, off-road rock rails, and a Warn winch.