With a nod to the past, a review of the present, and a wink towards the future, Jeep Thursday rolled out its 2017 Moab Easter Jeep Safari concept brigade in a press event at its Detroit headquarters.
“It’s truly a labor of love for the Jeep team to develop exciting, capable concept vehicles each year for Moab and the Easter Jeep Safari,” said Jeep's Head of Brand Mike Manley in a company statement. “We look forward to the reaction and feedback from enthusiasts and our most loyal customers as these new Jeep concepts are put through their paces on the trails in Moab.”
Making the cut this year are six showroom new concept vehicles called Jeep Grand One, Safari, Quicksand, Trailpass, Switchback and Luminator, as well as one holdover from the 2016 SEMA show - the super popular CJ66.
But of all those, it will be the Safari and Quicksand that will most likely draw the most interest both in person at Moab as well as internet views. That's because each look to have numerous JL cues in their appearance.
Jeep Safari Concept
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Can you spot the JL designs on this concept? Well, this one isn't really a JL hidden in plain sight, but the front grille definitely is JL-based right down to the headlights creeping into the grille slats. The vehicle also has that new raked windshield and venting present on the front quarter panels like what we believe the JL will offer, but this concept includes an air compressor feature as well which - if offered for the JL - will most likely be an option.
According to the concept release, Jeeps calls this Safari a high-tech, family-focused, vehicle that is all about bringing the outdoors in while keeping the doors and roof on. Some of the more interesting features include a translucent hard-top roof panel, two-level aluminum cargo rack with incorporated drone, a raked windshield, boatsided rocker panels, LED headlamps, and custom LED tail lamps and parking/turn lamps. It also employs unique 'windoors', which Jeep says are made of lightweight aluminum (also a JL feature) and clear vinyl, are hinged so that they open like a cabinet, and utilize zipper openings to let in fresh air.
The Jeep Safari includes front and rear Dana 44 axles equipped with selectable differential lockers, 2-inch lift, 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires on 18-inch wheels, full-length skid plates, steel front and rear bumpers, integrated on-board air system, upgraded brakes and unique cold air intake. Powering the concept is the familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Inside are custom bucket seats, including two rears that are rotated outboard, which Jeep says make it easier for rear seat occupants to view out the side of the Safari. The interior also includes an instrument panel-mounted iPad.
Jeep Quicksand Concept
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A loud, fast and fun hot rod that can play in both sand or asphalt is how Jeep describes the Quicksand concept - a vehicle that also displays some JL-type features with its grille and (possibly) windshield. Plus, it offers a staggered tire set up that Jeep has never installed before in its concept vehicles.
Powered by a Mopar 392 Crate Hemi engine with eight-stack injection that is mated to a six-speed Getrag manual transmission, the Quicksand concept has a 'peekaboo' cutout in its hood and gasser-style downturned open headers that add a vintage hot rod feel. Jeep says the vehicle also features 32-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires in the front and 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires in the rear, coilover shocks, and all sitting on 18-inch vintage 'kidney bean' alloy wheels. Completing that hot rod look is a trimmed front and rear body, chopped hard top and windshield, and open windows that allow both driver and passengers to fully enjoy the Quicksand’s sound and wind-in-your-face freedom. It even uses a Warn winch concealed in a front-mounted Moon tank, and rear recovery rope located in the traditional drag racer’s parachute spot.
Inside, Jeep says in its release, the Quicksand has a minimalist touch that features red accents, two front low-back bucket seats, flat aluminum door panels, tilt-out windshield glass and a chrome roll bar.
Jeep Grand One Concept
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The Jeep Grand One celebrates Grand Cherokee's 25th-anniversary with a modernized spin on the classic 1993 ZJ, according to a release from the company. Its exterior features custom 18-inch wheels on 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires, front and rear axles equipped with selectable locking differentials, a 2-inch suspension lift, high-clearance fender flares, an extended wheelbase, trimmed fascias and a subtle wood grain treatment on the body. Inside, the Grand One recreates that original Grand Cherokee with ’90s-style materials and touches, a durable bed liner which replaces the carpet, and even is accessorized with an old-school car phone. Powering the vehicle is a 5.2-liter V-8 engine, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep Trailpass Concept
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The Jeep Trailpass, according to the company release, is a concept based off the all-new Jeep Compass and takes the Trailhawk version a step further for an extreme off-road adventure.
Jeep says the vehicle sports a 1.5-inch lift kit, 18-inch wheels with a unique pocket accent on Continental TerrainContact all-terrain tires, a Jeep roof basket, cross rails and rock rails, and is powered by a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its exterior also displays gloss black side mirror caps, a custom hood graphic, side stripes, and tinted head and tail lamps. Inside, Jeep announced the Trailpass displays custom Katzkin leather seats and armrest, body-color bezel accents and all-weather floor mats.
Jeep Switchback Concept
View more pictures of the Jeep Switchback Concept
The Jeep Switchback concept vehicle appears to be Jeep's main Moab off-road monster this year, as it includes front and rear Dana 44 axles, a 4-inch lift with Remote Reservoir Fox shocks, heavy-duty cast differential covers, 10th Anniversary steel front and rear bumpers, Rubicon winch, grille, winch guard and cold air intake - all powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. In addition, Jeep utilizes an axle-back exhaust and 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires on 17-inch concept wheels to help increase its off-road capability.
Exterior design elements of the Switchback include concept hood and half doors with a unique door cutout, a 'Safari' hard top and roof rack system, high-top fender flares, Mopar black fuel door and tail lamp guards, and tailgate hinge reinforcement with an oversized spare tire carrier. It even sports an advanced lighting system to ensure superior visibility in any trail condition, thanks to a concept LED off-road windshield light bar, LED off-road A-pillar lamps, LED tail lamps, and LED headlamps and fog lights. Inside the vehicle, Jeep lists features like Katzkin leather seats, body-color bezel accents, sport bar grab handles, spray-in bed liner and Mopar all-weather mats. The cargo area also shows off a Mopar swing gate storage rack with first aid and roadside safety kits.
Jeep CJ66 Concept
View more pictures of the Jeep CJ66 Concept
This CJ66 concept was one of our favorite 2016 SEMA show highlights and certainly brought the crowds into Jeep's Las Vegas booth all show week last November. Designers essentially took a Wrangler TJ frame, hung a 1966 Jeep CJ Tuxedo Park body on it, and added Wrangler JK elements to construct this beauty. Then they gave it a Mopar 345 Crate 5.7-liter HEMI Engine which throws out 383 horsepower, and mated it to a six-speed manual transmission. Front and rear Mopar Dana 44 axles help the CJ66 easily crawl over rocks and boulders.
This concept rides on 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires wrapped around functional 17-inch beadlock wheels and employs a 2-inch lift kit for clearance. A concept two-way air system helps off-roaders quickly air up or air down tires to the desired pressure, while oversized fender flares offer protection against trail obstacles at the front and rear. Jeep says this concept also has added security from Mopar 10th Anniversary Wrangler JK Rubicon Bumper Kits, skid and front bumper plates, and concept rock rails.
Exterior features include a custom matte black CJ66 graphic stripe running along the side of hood, Mopar LED amber fog lamps and Mopar Warn winch. A custom, race car-inspired fuel filler cap is shifted to the inside fender wheel well. Inside, the concept displays custom Dodge Viper seats featuring concept seat risers, a custom-built roll cage, bikini top, JK center console and shifter, Mopar instrument panel gauges and all-weather mats.
Jeep Luminator Concept
View more pictures of the Jeep Luminator Concept
The Jeep Luminator, which we featured here, should be a bastion of light in the Moab desert, while also offering other unique features such as a roof-mounted solar panel, a drone landing pad with lighted drone and removable spare tire storage case, and a capacitive touch interactive display on the driver’s side rear window linked to GPS and internet services.
Jeep says this Wrangler-based concept features magnetic underbody rock lights, powerful 7-inch LED projector bi-function headlamps, unique LED tail lamps, A-pillar-mounted high-powered LED spot lights, upper bumper LED auxiliary lighting with cornering fog lamps controlled by the steering angle, and low-profile integrated overhead LED auxiliary spot lights protected behind the windshield. The Jeep Luminator also includes LED versions of the standard 100mm fog lamp and unique grille-mounted turn signals.
The Luminator’s hood even employs a scanning LED light bar module with active spot and dynamic following technology, which delivers spot lighting designed to avoid wildlife or trail hazards. At the vehicle's rear, a center high-mount stop light acts as a scouting/trail lamp with four-color LEDs indicating stop (red), 1-3 miles per hour (amber), 3-25 mph (green) or providing rear flood lighting.
“Jeep and Mopar have teamed up over 15 years to create unique, fun and highly capable concept vehicles for the popular Easter Jeep Safari in Moab,” Pietro Gorlier, Mopar's Head of Parts and Service, said in a company release. “These concept vehicles are a perfect example of how off-road enthusiasts can use Jeep Performance Parts to personalize and enhance the already outstanding Jeep capability, allowing them to face the toughest trails in the world.”
