ESCAPE 365
CLIFFRIDE’S HARDTOP JEEP WRANGLER IS READY FOR ADVENTURE
We recently got our hands on the Cliffride Escape 365 Jeep Wrangler prototype for a little photo session. This Southern California-built Jeep is loaded with quality upgrades for off-road and overland travel. This impressive vehicle will be available in the spring of 2019 at a dealership near you.
Overland Upgrades
Obviously the most noteworthy feature on this Wrangler build is the hardtop with integrated pop-top tent. The top is a crank-up design and comes with a height-adjustable aluminum ladder for easy access. The tent also offers up two doors and two windows, providing easy entry/exit and quality airflow
for those hot and humid camping trips. Mosquito nets on all of the above keep out unwanted pests.
Not so obvious from our photos is the impressive interior that Cliffride is working on for this build, as it wasn’t completed in time for our photo shoot. Two adults will be able to sleep comfortably inside the Jeep on “a plush rollout mattress.” That’s sleeping for four, two inside and two on top, if you’re counting. Impressive in such a small off-road capable form factor.
The Escape 365 will also be fitted will a full-featured kitchen. It will come with a 36-quart 12V refrigerator and a two-burner camping stove.
“Our goal is to elevate the outdoor experience for our customers and with this product we’re excited to give them the ability to live off the grid,” said Kenneth
Mitchell, managing director of Cliffride.
Off Road Upgrades
A full host of quality off-road upgrades have been put into this build, all to make getting to those remote awe-inspiring campsites possible. Cliffride is advertising that the Escape 365 will come with a Mopar 2.5-inch lift with Fox shocks, but the vehicle we photographed had Rubicon Express 2.5-inch shocks. Since this is just a prototype, we assume a number of things will change before the vehicle goes into production.
Once the Wrangler is lifted it is fitted with 35inch BFG KM3 mud-terrain tires wrapped around Method Race Wheels. An onboard air compressor and Warn Zeon winch ensure a quick recovery, if you do ever find yourself stuck.
You’ll also find a full host of auxiliary lighting surrounding the Escape 365. LED light pods on the hardtop and in front of the A pillars are the most prominent. A light bar is fitted down low in the front bumper and backup lights are fitted into the rear bumper. Finishing off the lighting package are indicator lights in the front fenders.
Unique Looks
Cliffride isn’t about just bolting on other people’s equipment, they have made the Escape 365 all their own. Cliffride makes a full host of steel and fiberglass parts specifically for their Jeep applications.
Custom steel front and rear bumpers are both functional and aesthetic. Steel inner fender wells keep debris off the body and drivetrain. Custom fiberglass fenders widen the vehicle, covering up the big tires. A custom scooped hood and angry eye style grill finish off the appearance package.
Big Plans
Cliffride plans to build one thousand Escape 365 Jeep Wranglers each year. They will be sold at dealerships throughout North America. You might think that to be quite ambitious, as do we, but Cliffride has the backing to make it happen.
The company is backed by parent company Erwin Hymer Group of North America.
The company is comprised of 22 brands of caravan and motorhome manufacturers, accessory specialists and financing services companies. The overall parent company in Germany is Europe’s largest manufacture of motorhomes and caravans. They sell over 35,000 vehicles annually and employ over 4,400 people.
We look forward to seeing the final version of the Cliffride Escape 365 out in the wild soon. Keep an eye on www.Cliffride.com for pricing and specific availability.