by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Another week closer to the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, and another release from Jeep showing off images of new concept vehicles it is planning to roll out to the event later this month.
Jeep on Thursday unveiled two new concept renderings, one appearing to be a Rubicon Wrangler, while the other looks like a Grand Cherokee version.
With these images, Jeep now at least will have four one-off concepts in Moab this year. If the brand follows protocol from previous years, it should have one more ‘Trail Marker’ early next week, before lifting its concept embargo by Friday.
”Two new, one-of-a-kind, rock-crawling, terrain-traversing concept vehicles will take four-wheeling to the next level on some of the toughest trails in the world and prove why there’s nothing quite like legendary Jeep 4x4 capability,” the brand said in a press release titled ‘Trail Marker 3’.
Of course, like always, these first-look renderings only show off a tiny glimpse of what the actual concepts may look like when they appear in the southeastern Utah desert later this month.
The first new image is obviously a four-door Rubicon, most likely an Unlimited Wrangler, with a desert-themed brown and orange paint hue. It also could be more of an open-air vehicle as it is hard to tell just how far back that roll cage goes. And with the image sporting that Jeep Performance Parts logo in the background, you know this vehicle will be stuffed with all kinds of products bearing the Mopar logo.
Normally, that means bumpers, side protection, lift kit, cargo rack and wheels. These concepts also always push the edge, so you can also expect larger tires — Jeep loves to use BFGoodrich KO2s — as well as auxiliary lights somewhere. This image is cut off halfway up the windshield, so you can’t tell if lights are mounted anywhere at the top.
Additionally, when you see that kind of paint job, the first thought is possibly some kind of Mojave-style edition, specifically engineered for desert-style off-roading at higher speeds. Jeep currently has that Mojave nameplate limited to its Gladiator models, but a concept Wrangler with a Mojave-tuned suspension, frame reinforcements, heavy-duty skid plating, and even specially-designed Fox shocks with external piggyback reservoirs to handle all that bumping around, would be neat to see.
Because Jeep chose to release this rendering showing off the passenger side, it is hard to tell what kind of powerplant will be utilized, but that slightly raised hood could indicate another 4xe-style model.
For its second rendering, Jeep appears to show off some kind of souped-up Grand Cherokee concept.
The brand last brought a Grand Cherokee to Moab in 2022, when it debuted the 4xe Trailhawk edition. Shortly after, it released a Grand Cherokee 4xe to production following the retail success of the Wrangler 4xe.
This 2024 Grand Cherokee concept depiction really does not give away much at all, but looks to be another 4xe-hybrid just off the hood’s shape. From there, with Jeep promising ‘rock-crawling, terrain-traversing’ concept vehicles, you can expect larger off-road tires, Mopar wheels, probably a cargo rack up top, refined interior, and suspension tweaks for heavier-duty use — perhaps even an air-ride suspension.
So, why are these concepts important?
Well, besides just being neat vehicles to poke around and gaze over, Jeep usually incorporates several ‘hide in plain sight’ design cues that will make their way into production models in upcoming model years.
They did this leading up to the 2018 Wrangler JL and Gladiator versions, and showed off that Grand Cherokee 4xe a year or so before it launched, so with the Wrangler JL now six years into service, designers could hide some new ‘refresh’ ideas into this year’s crop.
Of course, just about everything Jeep puts on these concepts under its JPP brand is either currently available or will be shortly.
Last year, Jeep brought out seven concepts to Moab — including the third version of its powerful all-electric two-door Wrangler dubbed Magneto. Outfitted with a manual transmission, Dynatrac 60 front and 80 rear axles, and 5.38:1 gearing, this machine could push out 285 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque at its mild setting; then 650 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque at maximum.
Jeep plans to have an all-electric Wrangler ready to go for the 2028 model year, though most likely not something like this concept. Additionally, the brand’s all-electric Recon is set to hit showrooms this fall and will become Jeep’s first North American all-electric vehicle.
Other concepts last year highlighted the 4xe platform and included a 1978 SJ Cherokee with a turbocharged 2.0L engine with twin batteries, 37-inch tires and a retro orange/yellow interior, a Tuscadero pink Wrangler sporting the revised 2024 model year grille and some AEV Level 2 upfit items, and dark blue hued Wrangler Unlimited prominently displaying Jeep Performance Parts like lighting, front grille, tubular doors and a custom fabricated rear tire carrier.
Non-4xe platforms completing last year’s concept list were the Scrambler 392 — a lime green, two-door mash-up of Wrangler and Gladiator features that sported the brand’s powerful 392 6.4L Hemi engine; a Grand Wagoneer Overland concept with a ceiling access into a pop up carbon fiber tent, as well as a subbed out interior that had no rear seats but some beanbag chairs, throw rug and ambient lighting; and finally a Rubicon Gladiator dubbed Sideburn that offered a front fold-down grille bench, customized rear cargo shelf, boxed sides and integrated tailgate with MOLLE paneling and steps that help provide easier access into the bed.
Each year, EJS attracts thousands to the Utah desert for a week’s worth of off-roading and congregating on some of the best 4x4 trails in the world. This year’s 58th annual event is set for March 23-31.
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