Jeep and Mopar concepts to debut at Easter Jeep Safari

JEEP and Mopar have once again combined forces to develop a team of concept vehicles that will debut at the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, from April 8-16.

The co-operation is a way for both brands to display an assortment of production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts – Mopar-tweaked aftermarket parts built to enable Jeep owners to spruce up their bog-standard 4x4s.

“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,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global. “These concept vehicles are a perfect example of how off-road enthusiasts can use Jeep Performance Parts to personalise and enhance already outstanding Jeep capability, allowing them to face the toughest trails in the world.”

This year marks the 51st running of the Easter Jeep Safari, an event which debuts stunning off-road vehicles and put them straight into the furnace on challenging tracks.

“It’s truly a labour of love for the Jeep team to develop exciting, capable concept vehicles each year for Moab and the Easter Jeep Safari,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. “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.”

JEEP GRAND ONE

The Grand One concept brings the 1993 Grand Cherokee ZJ into the modern world.

Features include front and rear axles equipped with selectable locking diffs, a two-inch suspension lift, an extended wheelbase and high-clearance fender flares.

It’s powered by a 5.2-litre V8 mated to a four-speed auto.

JEEP SAFARI

As its name suggests, the Wrangler-based Safari is all about providing great views to occupants. This is achieved via a translucent hard-top roof panel, and unique windows made of lightweight aluminium and clear vinyl.

A front and rear Dana axle equipped with selectable diff lockers and a two-inch lift make it an off-road certainty. Other features include custom full-length skid plates, steel front and rear bumpers, upgraded brakes and unique cold air intake. It’s also got a two-level aluminium cargo rack with an incorporated drone.

It’s powered by a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 mated to a five-speed auto.

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JEEP QUICKSAND

Despite its quirky name, this Jeep won’t sink in the sand.

It’s based on a Wrangler but with a longer wheelbase, a trimmed front and rear body and a chopped hard top and windshield.

Its staggered tyre setup has never before been seen on a Jeep concept, while a Warn winch is concealed in a front-mounted Moon tank.

A Mopar 392 Crate Hemi engine with eight-stack injection powers this steed, and it runs through a six-speed Getrag manual.

JEEP TRAILPASS

The Trailpass is a Trailhawk Compass dialled up to 11 thanks to a 1.5-inch lift and Jeep Performance Parts: a roof basket, cross rails and rock rails.

Aesthetic enhancements include Gloss Black side mirror caps, a custom bonnet graphic, side stripes, tinted head- and tail-lamps, and a Mopar/Thule roof basket.

Power arrives via a 2.4-litre Tigershark mated to a nine-speed auto.

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JEEP SWITCHBACK

The Switchback comes packed with a host of Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts.

These include a front and rear Dana 44 axle, a four-inch lift with remote reservoir Fox shocks, heavy duty cast diff covers, steel front and rear bumpers, a Rubicon winch, winch guard, cold air intake, and an axle-back exhaust.

The hard top and roof rack system of the Safari concept is utilised, as well as high-top fender flares.

Like the Safari, the Switchback is powered by a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 mated to a five-speed auto.

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JEEP CJ66

The CJ66 made waves at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but what is it exactly?

It utilises a Wrangler TJ frame, a 1966 Wrangler CJ universal Tuxedo Park body and Wrangler JK elements, and then it’s powered by a Mopar 345 Crate Hemi Engine Kit-enabled 5.7-litre Hemi.

For off-road duties it features front and rear Mopar Dana 44 Crate axles, a two-inch lift, a two-way air system to quickly air tyres up or down, oversized fender flares, Mopar 10th Anniversary Wrangler JK Rubicon Bumper kits, and Jeep Performance Parts’ skid and front bumper plates and rock rails.

It’s topped off with a Mopar Warn winch.

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JEEP LUMINATOR

As you probably already guessed, the Luminator is all about off-road lighting. To this end, the Luminator is packed with more lights than a Christmas tree.

Jointly developed with the Automotive Lighting division of Magneti Marelli, the Luminator features LEDs from head to toe, including underbody rock lights.

The Luminator will definitely be a highlight in the Moab desert this April.

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