HERITAGE-INSPIRED
Easter Jeep Safari Concepts
With over 20,000 Jeep enthusiasts gathering yearly to celebrate the Jeep brand, the annual Easter Jeep Safari is the perfect venue for the iconic 4x4 marque to showcase new concepts. This year, the 58th annual event in Moab, Utah, was no different, with four distinct Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar concept vehicles, inspired by Jeep’s proud heritage, on display.
An array of proven propulsion systems, from 4xe electrification to 392 V8 power, was used in this year’s concepts – the Jeep Wrangler Low Down, the Jeep 4xe Willys Dispatcher, the Gladiator-based High Top and the Grand Wagoneer-based Vacationeer – all inspired by acclaimed models from yesteryear.
In our view, the Jeep Willys Dispatcher Concept, a mix of where the Jeep brand has been and where it is going, really hits the sweet spot. Based on the latest Wrangler 4xe, the concept invokes the nostalgia of the early post-war CJ2A civilian Jeep, with its utilitarian looks juxtaposed with the electrified off-road capability of the modern 4xe propulsion system.
The Willys Dispatcher’s retro makeover includes 36” tyres on vintage-style 16x7.0” alloy “steelies.”, a custom old-school front bumper housing a classic-looking 8274 Warn winch, and, like the flat-fender Jeeps of yore, “WILLYS” lettering embossed into the sides of the engine cover.
Its exterior is painted in a custom shade of Element 115 Green, accented with cream-coloured steelies – a reference to one of the colour schemes available on the first Universal Jeeps. It would be interesting to see the same concept in some other colour choices available on the CJ2As back then.
The Dispatcher gets a custom retrim in a mix of distressed saddle leather and houndstooth cloth inserts. The headrests have been removed, a JPP bikini top keeps passengers shielded from the weather, rugged vinyl covers the floor, and an onboard air compressor helps manage the trail's tyre pressures.
Power for the concept vehicle comes from the 2.0-litre plugin hybrid 4xe propulsion system (280 kW and 640 Nm) through an eight-speed auto transmission, with Dana 50 Advantech front and rear axles transferring power to the Super Traxion tyres.
The Jeep Wrangler Low Down concept is a hat-tip to the Lower 40 concept from 2009 and features the 392 V8 engine. An instant classic, the Lower 40 with its 40” tyres and 5.7-litre V8, still draws a crowd a decade and a half later. The new Low Down concept squeezes massive 42” BFGoodrich tyres on 20” beadlock wheels under its custom high-clearance carbon fender flares.
The stock Wrangler Rubicon suspension remains intact, but Dana 60 axles replace the standard Dana 44 axles. The Low Down’s centre of gravity remains low, dramatically increasing the ground clearance, breakover, approach and departure angles. Coated in deep Poison Apple Red, the concept is streamlined by removing the rear door handles, a custom carbon hood with a see-through power dome and a bespoke race-style fuel filler door.
The interior features black leather seats with cloth inserts, Rhino-lined floors, an instrument panel radio, and a redtinted bikini top. It is also powered by a V8 engine, though in modern 6.4-litre form mated to an eight-speed auto, this translates to a formidable 355 kW.
The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon High Top concept reflects the drive from JPP to push the performance boundaries of this midsize pickup truck. Its bold Ginger Snap metallic exterior with retro-inspired twotone graphics is an attention-getter, and its massive All-Terrain tyres and beadlock wheels with flat fender flares, a modified front bumper, rock rail power steps, Dana 60 axles and AccuAir adjustable air suspension show its off-road intent.
The concept is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed auto transmission. It also has a decked load-box storage system, and inside, the seats are trimmed with quilted and perforated tan and black Alea leather, a JPP pedal kit, all-weather floor mats and door sill guards. A JPP sun bonnet provides overhead protection.
From the Spearminted exterior to the custom-trimmed and expanded interior space, the Jeep Vacationeer concept is a premium SUV that combines comfort and adventure with modern capability while honouring the legendary heritage of the Jeep brand. And with a nostalgic nod, the concept is fitted with unique bodyside woodgrain graphics that harken back to Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models of the late 1960s through the early 1990s.
Its 35” tyres provide a 1.5” lift for better off-road performance, and larger wheel openings and body flare extensions add to its aggressive look. It has front and rear skid plates, a front-mounted Warn winch, a white, Rhino-lined roof, and a carbon-fibre RedTail Overland Skyloft – a climate-controlled oasis with twoperson sleeping space.
A weatherproof entrance allows access to the Skyloft. A fore/aft sliding door and a small step, which also doubles as a usable table, ease access. The rear space features a bed-lined cargo floor. The front Tupelo leather seats have a distinctive and charming New England-inspired pattern. The Vacationeer concept is powered by a 3.0-litre Hurricane Twin Turbo 510 engine, delivering 380 kW and 678 Nm of torque.