Seven Jeep Wrangler and Renegade concepts revealed for Easter Jeep Safari…
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Easter Jeep Safari, Jeep has revealed a hellcat-powered Jeep Wrangler and a Renegade ute…
JEEP HAS REVEALED seven Jeep Wrangler and Renegade-based concepts, including a hellcat-powered Wrangler and Renegade ute. Jeep and Mopar were always going to go all out for the event given it’s the brand’s 75th anniversary year and the event’s 50th anniversary.
Like every year, the concepts feature a mix of both production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts. “These seven vehicles have been modified with Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts to take on the toughest trails, to go beyond where the road ends,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global.
“Every year, the Jeep team looks forward to pushing the limits with new, exciting and capable concept vehicles for our most loyal enthusiasts at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, where we receive a tremendous amount of valuable feedback,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global.
“This year is extra special, as together with our biggest fans, we celebrate Jeep’s 75th anniversary, as well as the 50th running of the Jeep Safari. We’re delighted to share seven of the most capable and eye-catching concept Jeep vehicles we’ve ever created at this year’s historic event.”
Jeep Trailcat
The Jeep Trailcat concept runs a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V8 engine and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a custom shifter ball featuring an embossed Hellcat logo. To fit the 520kW V8 into the Wrangler, the engineers had to stretch the wheelbase by 12 inches, while chopping the windscreen down “for a sleeker look”. Mopar exterior enhancements include a power-dome vented hood, Satin Black grille, LED headlamps and fog lamps and rock rails. There are steel front and rear bumpers, 17-inch beadlock wheels and 39.5-inch BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX tires, front and rear Dana 60 axles and Fox shocks. The Trailcat’s interior is simple yet functional and features sport bucket seats from the Dodge Viper, made from carbon fiber and featuring Katzkin leather seat covers with accent stitching.
Jeep Trailstorm
The Trailstorm concept offers “room for extra gear and fuel tanks, it is based on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and delivers elevated capability to conquer trails with ease”. It gets 17-inch concept off-road wheels wrapped in 37-inch tires, a 2-inch lift kit with Jeep Performance Parts/Fox shocks, a Jeep Performance Parts Rubicon winch, and Dana 44 front and rear axles. Half doors “offer a clear view of obstacles ahead and a bedlined interior makes cleaning up after a day on the trails easy”. Mopar bits and pieces include a winch guard, Satin Black grille, LED headlights and fog lights, high top fenders, power-dome vented hood, Mopar off-road rock rails with a step, Big Brake Kit, a concept fast-back soft top, tail light guards and a Mopar fuel filler door.
Jeep Comanche
Based on the Jeep Renegade, the Jeep Comanche concept is a nod to Jeep pickup trucks of years past, the Comanche concept, Jeep said, “takes styling cues from military and civilian Jeep heritage”. The Comanche’s “Beige Against the Machine” concept exterior paint is accented with a Satin Black hood, a concept lower front fascia, winch, steel rear bumper, soft top and spare tire in the bed. The wheelbase has been stretched six inches versus a production Renegade to accommodate Comanche’s 5-foot bed. Inside, the Comanche features custom seat covers, pedal covers, door sill guards and Mopar all-weather mats. Jeep Performance Parts like off-road rock rails, a 2-inch lift kit and a winch bolster the Comanche’s off-road capability. The Comanche rolls on 16-inch painted wheels and 32-inch BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A tires. The Jeep Commanche runs a diesel engine and nine-speed automatic and features both low range and a locking rear differential, something the production Renegade Trailhawk misses out on.
Jeep Crew Chief 715
The Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept “was built as a salute to legendary Jeep military service vehicles, in particular the Kaiser M715”. This open-air Wrangler Unlimited-based concept vehicle showcases a burly design with heritage styling cues. The Crew Chief 715 features a rear seat and extra doors for additional passenger capacity while staying close to its classic military roots. It gets steel front and rear bumpers, 20-inch beadlock wheels and 40-inch NDT military tires pay homage to the original Jeep military vehicles. The Crew Chief 715 utilizes an on-board air system with a hard-mounted quick-disconnect fitting for airing up or lending assistance to other vehicles on the trail. Other features include a master cylinder brake upgrade, cold air intake and a modified exhaust. Exterior features, such as Jeep Performance Parts off-road rock rails, a winch mounted into the front and rear bumpers, Dana 60 front and rear axles and a 4-inch lift kit with Jeep Performance Parts/Fox 2.0 Remote Reservoir shocks, give the Crew Chief 715 increased capability. The “Tactical Green” color scheme runs from the custom modified M715-inspired front-end to the tailgate. The Crew Chief 715 features a military themed 5-foot cargo bed.
Jeep Shortcut
A take on the iconic Jeep CJ-5, this Wrangler-based concept vehicle “invokes the spirit of 1950s Americana with a shortened body and functional simplicity”. It gets a unique grille, hood, tailgate, front and rear wheel flares and custom chrome front and rear bumpers. A modified exhaust, 17-inch red steel wheels and 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires help the Jeep Shortcut achieve that “icon” look. Jeep Performance Parts on the Shortcut include a front and rear Dana 44 axle and a 2-inch lift with Fox shocks. Overall body length has been reduced by 26 inches including bumpers and spare tyre. Bugger. Inside, the simple yet functional interior features low-back leather bucket seats with plaid inserts, a red ball shifter handle, four-point safety cage and Mopar all-weather mats.
Jeep Renegade Commander
The Jeep Renegade Commander concept vehicle is equipped with an assortment of Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts “for the ultimate off-road adventure”. A 2-inch lift kit and 17-inch Rubicon aluminum wheels with 29.5-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires increase the off-road capabilities of the Jeep Renegade Commander. The “Fluorescent Gray” exterior features Renegade’s MySky open-air roof with removable panels, custom body decal, Mopar off-road rock rails, skid plates and a modified exhaust. Also featured are the Mopar brand’s trailer hitch receiver and front and rear auxiliary lights. Inside, the Renegade Commander includes Katzkin seat covers, body color bezel accents, a pedal kit, Mopar off-road kit and Mopar all-weather floor mats.
Jeep FC 150
A true American workhorse, this 1960 Jeep FC 150 concept runs a 2005 Jeep Wrangler chassis modified to accept a Dana 44 front axle, Dana 60 rear axle and 17-inch white steel wheels wrapped in 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires. Inside, the FC 150 features vinyl seat covers, a custom headliner wrapped in a vintage duck hunting pattern, CB radio, analog compass and Mopar all-weather mats.
