Jeep to unveil stable of seven new concepts

NICK TRAGIANIS

This year, Jeep is going all out for the 50th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Its concepts for the festival are usually warmed-over variants of existing models decked out in various Mopar accessories, but this year is different.

Seven concept vehicles will help mark the company’s 75th anniversary as a brand, including a 707-horsepower Wrangler.

JEEP TRAILCAT

This is the Wrangler you didn’t know you wanted. It leaves nothing to the imagination; power comes from the Charger and Challenger Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2-litre V-8, pushing out 707 h.p. to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Unlike the unofficially confirmed Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the Trailcat still keeps its off-road credentials. Despite the fact it’s 12 inches larger than a standard Wrangler and sports a windshield shortened by two inches, the Trailcat rides on 17-inch bead-lock wheels wrapped with 39.5-inch BF-Goodrich Krawler off-road tires.

JEEP SHORTCUT

On the complete opposite end of the modified Jeep Wrangler spectrum, we have the Shortcut concept. Where the Trailcat is 12 inches longer than the Wrangler, this one is 12 inches shorter than the standard two-door Wrangler. The Shortcut is lifted by two inches and goes pretty much anywhere, thanks to 35-inch off-road tires on 17-inch wheels. Considering the Wrangler is a macho off-roader, the Shortcut’s style is surprisingly charming, complete with chrome bumpers and-low-back leather seats, hearkening back to the Jeep CJ-5.

JEEP TRAILSTORM

Compared to the Trailcat and Shortcut, the Trailstorm is far more down to earth. Sure, it has half-doors and a canvas roof, but it is finished in a camouflage-patterned vinyl wrap and has the requisite two-inch lift, 37-inch offroad tires and 17-inch wheels.

JEEP CREW CHIEF 715

You’d be hard-pressed to find a Jeep fan who hasn’t been pining for a Wrangler-based pickup. It’s reportedly on the menu, and Jeep teased enthusiasts with the retroinspired Crew Chief 715. Like previous Jeep Chief concepts, it has a Kaiser M715-inspired front end and no shortage of military design cues.

JEEP COMANCHE

Think the Jeep Renegade is nothing more than a soft-roader? The adorably bad-ass Comanche wants you to think again. It is six inches longer than the regular Renegade and it’s genuinely cool, finished in a colour called Beige Against the Machine. Nice one, Jeep. Perhaps a hint at the future, the Comanche is powered by a 2.0-L turbodiesel four-cylinder hooked up to the ubiquitous nine-speed automatic. It also features a soft top, a towing winch up front, 32-inch off-road tires and a bed-mounted spare.

JEEP RENEGADE COMMANDER

Jeep wants you to look at the Renegade Commander as what Mopar can do to spice up a Renegade. It’s got roof rails, auxiliary lighting and a two-inch lift to accommodate 29.5-inch BF-Goodrich All-Terrain tires wrapped around stock Renegade wheels.

JEEP FC150

Jeep is showcasing a resto-mod 1960 FC150. As with all resto-mods, there’s a twist: the original steel body has been placed over a chassis from a 2005 Wrangler. Power comes from a 4.0-L in-line six-cylinder engine, hooked up to a threespeed automatic transmission.