Part power, part electrification — all creative. Jeep brings its designers' imagination out to the Utah desert.
by Torque Staff Report
MOAB, Utah — Dear Diary,
They begin simply as an idea. Something tickling the imagination that eventually becomes so powerful it can't be ignored. And then the real fun begins.
For that is when designers stop putting pen to paper and engineers actually start building Jeep concept vehicles for Easter Safari week.
"We all still have day jobs," said Jeep Head of Design Mark Allen. "So these are kind of like our extra credit."
It takes months, sometimes over a year-plus to actually work up these vehicles. Most are cobbled together using different body and frame combinations, and then tweaked out to match what came up during the entire creative process.
Then, when finished, they all get their moment in the sun, well desert sun, in Moab, Utah for EJS.
Jeep Monday allowed access to these one-off vehicles after several weeks of releasing teaser pictures on social media. While none are expected to reach production stage, many do show off Jeep Performance Products from Mopar that are either currently available, or will be available after a bit more design testing and real-world experience.
Here is a brief summary of each concept vehicle:
Magneto 3.0
After hauling out Magneto 1.0 and Magneto 2.0 to Moab for the 2021 and 2022 EJS shows respectively, designers went back to the lab and totally reworked the whole thing. Now, for 2023, the Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept is even more powerful and offers incredible off-road prowess as well as an environment-friendly powertrain. Magneto 3.0, again, is fully electric and offers a top end of 650 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 25 horsepower and 50 lb-ft of torque compared to the Magneto 2.0 Concept. Additionally, it features 20 percent more battery range and has a selectable power switch that can dial the horses and torque down to 285 hp and 273 lbn-ft of torque when needed.
1978 Cherokee
This retro concept definitely brings back the 1970s look, with its yellow, red and brown scheme. Jeep found the vehicle on Craigslist and then went to work overhauling the powertrain, body, frame, wheels and interior. One of the first things they did was remove the internal combustion engine and replaced it with a 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain. Under the hood, it does house a 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 engine which is connected to two electric motors, a battery pack, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the 1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept runs on 37-inch tires and 17-inch slotted retro-style wheels.
Finally, the whole thing is tied back to the American Motors age with a Gremlin fuel cap that one of the designers sourced off the internet.
Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Jeep fans went nuts back in 2021 when the brand released Tuscadero as a limited-edition paint. So much so that Jeep was unable to fill every order. However, in a nod to the color's popularity, the company decided to make a concept featuring a version of that appearance. So, it gave rich, chromatic magenta color to this Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept. Helping out all that power generated from the 4xe powerplant is an AccuAir suspension, while the vehicle stands on 17-inch high-gloss AEV Borah wheels and 37-inch tires.
Departure
Each year, there is one concept that is specially designed to highlight numerous JPP items. This year, the Departure takes those reins.
From front to back, this thing has a lot — including a 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 for purchase, or will be ready later this year.
Finishing it off are 37-inch tires wrapped around 17-inch Mopar wheels, header-mounted LED lights, along with custom flat fender flares and wheel liners. Its flares also are engineered with removable daytime-running lights.
Scrambler 392
This concept started life as a Wrangler Unlimited 392, but quickly morphed into that slightly longer Scrambler appearance, a lower roof and raked windshield.
However, unlike that old CJ8, this new version offers a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 stuffed under the hood generating 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It also features an AccuAir Adjustable Suspension that can change ride height from 1.5-inch to 5.5-inches depending on the need.
In the rear, instead of a traditional bed, the vehicle contains a painted lugged rack to handle cargo and is finished off with 20-inch wheels and 40-inch tires.
Grand Wagoneer Overland
Inspired by the Overlanding craze, this Grand Wagoneer Concept allows adventurers to pretty much go wherever they want in comfort and style. It includes Stellantis' new 3.0L Hurricane Twin-Turbo Inline-6 engine that produces 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept runs on 18-inch wheels which come with beefy 35-inch tires. Additionally, that Overlanding motif is enhanced with a spacious hard shell tent for overnight or longer adventures. It even includes a pass-through feature from inside since engineers removed the second and third seats. Additionally, the interior also displays beanbags, throw rug, pillows and interior lighting.
Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn
Sure, this concept doesn't have all the power of Scrambler or Magneto, but it does offer 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. It also shows off a possible future production grille guard that folds down and can be used as a seat for stuff like trail lunches, or just a break.
Rounding out this concept is the brand's longstanding 3.6-liter Pentastar engine, Bilstein remote reservoir shock absorbers, a two-inch JPP lift, as well as 37-inch off-road tires on 17-inch wheels.
The annual Easter Jeep Safari began back in 1967, and since then, it has skyrocketed in popularity, with more than 20,000 participants attending this year's 57th edition. The event is organized by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, and runs through April 9th.
