Supercharged Wrangler is one of 7 Jeep concepts
Firm marks 75th birthday as a brand
This year, Jeep is going all out f or the 50 th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Utah. Its concepts for the festival are usually warmed- over variants of existing models decked out in Mopar accessories, but this year is different. Seven concept vehicles will help mark the firm’s 75th anniversary as a brand.
TRAIL CAT
This is the Wrangler you didn’t know you wanted, but Jeep made it anyway. It leaves nothing to the imagination; power comes from the Charger and Challenger Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2-litre V8, pushing out 707 hp to all four wheels via a six-speed manual.
Unlike the unofficially confirmed Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the Trail cat 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 Trailc at rides on 17- inch bead lock wheels wrapped with 39.5- inch BF--
Goodrich Krawler tires.
SHORTCUT
On the opposite end of the Wrangler spectrum, we have the Shortcut. Where the Trailcat is 12 i nches longer than the Wrangler, this one is 12 inches shorter. The Shortcut is lifted by two inches and goes pretty much anywhere, thanks to 35-inch off- road tires on 17- i nch wheels. The style is surprisingly charming, with chrome bumpers and low-back leather seats, hearkening back to the Jeep CJ- 5. that looks far from out of place – perfect, considering it’ is as functional as it is stylish.
TRAIL STORM
Compared to the Trailcat and Shortcut, the Trail storm is far more down to earth. Sure, it has half- doors and a canvas roof, but it is finished in a camouflage-pattern and has the requisite two- inch lift, 37-inch off-road tires and 17- inch wheels. The Trail-storm also takes much of its inspiration from Chrysler’s Mopar accessory catalogue; it sports LED headlights and fog lights, steel front and rear bumpers, a big-brake kit and a power-dome hood.
CREW CHIEF 715
You’d be 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.
COMANCHE
Think the Jeep Renegade is nothing more than a softroader? The adorably badass Comanche wants you to think again. It is six inches l onger t han t he 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.
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. But what you don’t see also matters. Skid plates protect the vital bits should you venture off the beaten path.
FC150
Last but not least, Jeep is showcasing a resto- mod 1960 FC150 pickup truck at this year’s Easter Jeep Safari. As with all resto- modded cars, 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, hooked up to a threespeed automatic. Completing the look is white 17- inch steel wheels and 33-inch BF-Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.