by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Some electrification, mixed with history, with a splash of power and finished off with a bunch of performance parts sure to forge their way to market over the coming months.
All that marks what Jeep plans to show off next week in the southeastern Utah desert during the 57th annual Easter Jeep Safari.
The brand Thursday physically unveiled its latest crop of concept vehicles after throwing out several teaser images over the past few weeks.
In all, it is taking seven total concepts and this year’s roster of custom-built vehicles includes a diverse set of powertrains — some hybrid and some internal combustion.
“Every year, more than 20,000 Jeep enthusiasts descend on Moab, Utah, for Easter Jeep Safari to wheel in the most extreme off-road conditions, where our engineers continue to push the capability of our Jeep vehicles to next levels,” said Jeep Head of Brand Jim Morrison. “It’s the perfect place to showcase our seven new Jeep concepts, because it’s with these Jeep enthusiasts that we’ll be able to push the limits even more and get their feedback on where they want to take the Jeep brand into the future.”
Highlighting the series is a third version of the all-electric Wrangler, aptly dubbed Magneto, that now tosses out 625 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque, a beautifully constructed 1978 Cherokee resto-mod retrofitted to Jeep's 4xe plug-in-hybrid powertrain and a splashy neon green Wrangler Rubicon 392 molded into a Scrambler design, complete with 470-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 and 40-inch tires.
Additionally, the brand has also created a Wrangler Rubicon dubbed Departure that shows off numerous Mopar products, a magenta-hued Rubicon complete with AccuAir suspension system, Grand Wagoneer Overland built with the company’s latest Hurricane 3.0-liter Twin Turbo engine, and Gladiator Rubicon nicknamed Sideburn featuring a unique bed design, removable roof panel lights and fold down front grille that turns into a bench seat.
“Our annual trip to Moab allows us to showcase the latest selection of custom and authentic, quality-tested Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar,” said Mopar Senior Vice President Mark Bosanac. “Unlike any other aftermarket offerings, our growing portfolio of factory-tested and factory-backed parts and accessories are specifically designed and engineered to face the toughest trails in the world.”
Magneto 3.0
Back this year by popular demand, Jeep said, is the two-door Wrangler Magneto, the nameplate’s first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) concept. This third iteration of the powerful and capable Jeep Wrangler SUV concept, Magneto 3.0, tweaks the design a bit and offers two different power modes; the first offering 285 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque which feels better for those who would daily drive the vehicle; the second jumping to 650 horses and a staggering 900 lb-ft of torque good for a one-of-a-kind off-roading experience.
Additionally, engineers were able to work up a more efficient design resulting in 20% more usable energy and range from its custom-built axial flux electric motor.
The vehicle arrives to Moab, once again, with a six-speed manual transmission, but also offers a new hill descent control that promises a one-pedal driving experience when crawling at low-range.
Rounding out this build are powerful Dynatrac 60 front and 80 rear axles, 40-inch tires, 20-inch wheels and custom three-inch suspension.
Scrambler 392
This powerful green machine started life as a Wrangler Unlimited 392, but quickly morphed into that slightly longer Scrambler appearance, sporting a lower roof and raked windshield.
If you remember, the original CJ-8 Scrambler was created as a convertible pickup truck option for those wanted a bit more than the CJ7 offered.
However, unlike that CJ8, this one has a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 stuffed under the hood that generates 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It also is engineered with an AccuAir Adjustable Suspension that can change lift height from 1.5-inch to 5.5-inches depending on the need.
Custom carbon-fiber bodywork keeps the Scrambler light on its feet, er, tires, while the windshield is raked back 12 additional degrees for better aerodynamics.
Out back, instead of a traditional bed, the vehicle contains a painted lugged rack to handle cargo and is finished off in 20-inch wheels and 40-inch tires.
1978 Cherokee 4xe
Engineers stepped back in time a bit with this neatly-constructed concept, and this restomod brings back all the feels of early to mid-1970s SJ Cherokee living through a retro paint scheme and other body modifications.
To acquire the project, someone in the designer's office scoured Craigslist at some point last year and discovered the 1978 donor body. But it didn’t take long before the thing was dropped on a Rubicon Wrangler 4xe frame and powertrain — giving it that 2.0-liter turbo engine sporting 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.
The vehicle’s multi-colored 1970s theme flows throughout, including a yellow, red and orange dash, brown seats, and matching center console.
All that 4xe power flows through an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4:1 transfer case, providing energy to push all four 37-inch tires on 17-inch slotted wheels, while Dana 44 front and rear axles supply necessary stability.
Grand Wagoneer Overland
The only non-Wrangler/Gladiator concept this year delves into the overlanding theme and elevates it to the Grand Wagoneer level.
Fitting the motif, this vehicle includes a spacious hard shell tent for overnight or longer adventures, with a pass-through feature from inside the vehicle as engineers removed the second and third seats. Additionally, the interior also displays beanbags, throw rug, pillows and interior lighting for a more comfortable overlanding experience.
Powering the concept into its wilderness adventures is the company’s latest 3.0-liter Hurricane Twin Turbo 550 engine offering 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. It also features larger wheel well openings and custom flares to help with more aggressive approach and departure angles.
Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Some may remember that Tuscadero body color Jeep released in 2021 as a limited production run. Well, it went over so well that designers opted to go full Emeril on that paint this spring and ‘kick it up a notch’ — kind of like adding a bit of ghost pepper to that already blazing hot wing sauce.
Instead of repeating the pink-hued Tuscadero body look, this one utilizes a chromatic magenta color (not to be confused with Magneto). Then, numerous gloss black accents across the vehicle help set off that color.
Up front, the Rubicon concept displays the brand’s latest, smaller, seven-slot grille iteration that will deploy to all 2024 Wranglers, while underneath sits an AccuAir air suspension kit designed to play nice with 37-inch tires on 17-inch Borah AEV wheels.
Wrangler 4xe Departure
Each year, Jeep builds one concept with the single idea to show off all kinds of its Jeep Performance Parts stable. And this year, the Departure takes those reins.
From front to back, this thing has a lot — including that new smaller seven-slot production grille, a grille guard that folds down into a seat, tubular doors opening up the cabin, slotted rock sliders and flip-over tire carrier that can place the tire inside the back bumper or above the trunk, while still maintaining the rear-facing camera. Most parts on this vehicle are either currently available to purchase for your own Jeep, or will be ready later this year.
Departure is another 4xe concept Jeep is taking to EJS, and this one employs 37-inch tires wrapped around 17-inch Mopar wheels, along with customer flat fender flares and wheel liners. The flares also are engineered with removable daytime-running lights for when things get a bit wild off-road. According to Jeep, this makes them the first 50-state legal flares with OEM DRLs that meet 50-state tire coverage.
Above the cab, Jeep has included three header-mounted 11” LED lights with custom brackets that fit on the rear of the header bar. They also can quickly pivot out of the way if/when the windshield needs to be folded.
MOLLE panels attaching to the sport bar and body tub also provide additional storage.
Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn
While not as flashy as some of its 2023 concept brothers and sisters, this vehicle is designed with a unique steel and carbon fiber bed that could eventually find its way into production. Integrated into the bed are RotoPax container mounts that provide aerodynamic space to stash liquid, while a rear bed-mounted spare tire carrier can relocate that can fit up to 37” tires.
The steel and carbon fiber bed also includes MOLLE panels, and a mid-shelf rack with spots for tie-downs and rails to mount things like kayaks or bikes.
This one also displays the new production grille and that fold-down tubular grille guard, as is powered by the brand' longstanding 3.6-liter Pentastar engine. Additionally, designers bolted on new Bilstein remote reservoir shock absorbers, a two-inch JPP lift, as well as 37-inch off-road tires on 17-inch wheels.
Roof panels support two 11" LED quick-disconnect lights, while a custom lightweight steel and carbon fiber Gladiator sports bar provides steps for easy bed access.
Each year, EJS brings thousands out to Moab during the week leading into Easter for all kinds of off-roading fun and simply just celebrating Jeep culture. This year's edition runs April 1-9.
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