Jeep and Mopar bring seven new concepts to the 52nd edition of the Easter Jeep Safari

Every year, at the end of March or the beginning of April, American 4×4 enthusiasts, and more specifically those of Jeep, have a must-attend date in the town of Moab, in the state of Utah. This is where Jeep holds the Easter Jeep Safari gathering, where attendees can spend a few days of fun taking part in various activities, such as 4×4 trails designed for every type of driver with different levels of difficulty.

This year the 52nd edition of the Easter Jeep Safari will be held from March 24 to April 1, where, in addition to taking part in multiple activities, we can admire various works of art by Jeep. It is customary for the American brand, in collaboration with Mopar, to present different prototypes, and this year will be no exception, as we will be able to see up to seven new concepts, just as happened last year.

Jeep 4SPEED

Based on the Wrangler, this model combines three main characteristics: light, agile and fast. The last of these, fast, is faithfully reflected in the chosen model name, but it is also confirmed by the choice of its engine, which is the 2-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine paired with the 8-speed gearbox. This engine was recently introduced as a novelty in the redesigned Wrangler.

The agile and light characteristics are apparent as soon as you take a simple look at it, since anything that was not essential has been removed, while carbon fibre is also used to reduce its weight even further. The windscreen has also been slightly reclined, which affects the design of the roll cage as well, while its ground clearance is 5 cm greater than the standard Wrangler. Continuing with its dimensions, the length has been trimmed by 55.9 cm, while the wheelbase remains the same, thereby achieving an increase in the approach and departure angles.

The mechanical adjustments that complete it are the Dana 44 front and rear axles, with a 4.10 gear ratio, plus lightweight 18-inch wheels fitted with 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tyres. Inside there is a customised instrument panel, with retrimmed front seats, while the rear seats have been removed and a welded cage performs the function of a bikini-style top.

Jeep Sandstorm

We continue with the second concept based on the Wrangler, but this time inspired by the vehicles that take part in desert racing of the Baja type, while also being suitable for regular everyday use. This is achieved thanks to a unique suspension and a powertrain with sufficient power for any situation.

The exterior is truly spectacular, featuring a carbon-fibre bonnet and fully vented wheel arches, a higher ride height than normal and a roll cage that lets us carry the spare wheel lying down. In addition, both the tailgate and the rear doors have been removed. The interior is also customised, with bucket rear seats with a low backrest, leather front seats, a 7-inch off-road GPS and new switches for various functions completing the look.

Mechanically, the rear axle has been moved 10.2 cm forward and is made up of a high-performance four-link suspension with a track bar, while the front axle has been moved back by 5 cm and is fitted with a four-wheel triangulated control arm suspension; in this way stability at high speeds is ensured. With coil springs and bypass shock absorbers, the front wheel travel is increased to 35.6 cm, while at the rear it can reach 45.7 cm.

Finally, the Jeep Sandstorm is fitted with high-performance Dynatrac 60 front and rear axles with a 5.68 gear ratio, plus 17-inch wheels with 39.5-inch BF Goodrich Krawler tyres.

Jeep B-Ute

We set the Wrangler aside, just for the moment, and now move on to the Jeep Renegade, as it too will have its little place in this festival. It will not be as spectacular as the previous two, or as the rest, but it will be special thanks to a number of accessories from the Jeep Performance Parts catalogue.

On the exterior, the front grille is entirely exclusive, along with specific front and rear bumpers, as well as a bonnet with ventilation outlets and wider wheel arches, finished with roof bars and side protectors. It is from the outside that we also see how it is raised 3.8 cm thanks to a kit, and 17-inch wheels offset by 30 mm have been installed, fitted with BF Goodrich T/A Baja Champion tyres.

For the interior, the seats have been customised with Mineral insert upholstery, a Carbonite finish for the gear lever, the speakers and the ventilation outlets, while Piano Black appears on the remaining inserts. A MOLLE-type pouch system has also been added to the back of the front seatbacks, along with Mopar floor mats.

Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip

In these concepts Jeep always keeps a space for the brand’s old legends, and in this case we have a rather special Jeep Wagoneer, retaining the charm of its distinctive steel bodywork, but with modifications hidden beneath all that metal.

To begin with, the wheelbase has been lengthened by 12.7 cm, along with wider axles and customised wheel arches, so that the bodywork has been slightly modified to suit the new dimensions. A new bumper design has also been created, the side protectors have been integrated, a new front grille has been fitted, and the original glass has been replaced with bottle-green tinted glass.

The front and rear axles are Dana 44 with differential locks, the suspension is four-link with coil springs, and the 17-inch steel wheels are fitted with 33-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain tyres. The original engine, a 230 Tornado OHC-6, has been replaced by a modern 5.7-litre V-8 paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Inside, an effort has been made to keep the original aesthetic, but the seats are now upholstered in dark red leather, the floor and roof have also been revised but with wicker to add more brightness. Details such as a period refrigerated compartment have also been installed, as well as an original toolbox made from the original engine’s valve cover.

Nacho Jeep

This Wrangler takes its distinctive name from the eye-catching paint chosen for its bodywork, but it will not be the only striking thing about the Nacho Jeep, as it is a true rolling catalogue of Jeep Performance Parts created by Mopar.

We find logos for personalisation, a Mopar satin-black grille or Rubicon bumpers, which have a dual function: protection and utility when fitted with a Warn winch kit. It also features a wide range of LED lights to provide excellent visibility, such as those fitted to the A-pillar, also inside the windscreen and at the rear, the latter to warn of certain circumstances along with the white light to see what is behind us.

The ground clearance of the Nacho Jeep is increased by 5 cm, and the new shock absorbers are 6.3 cm in diameter; the chosen wheels are 17 inches fitted with oversized 37-inch tyres. Regarding the wheels, their rims have been painted glossy black and the bolts used have been cadmium-plated.

Jeep Jeepster

The basis for this prototype is a Jeep Rubicon, dressed with Jeep Performance Parts, resulting in a sporty vehicle which, together with the colours chosen, aims to evoke the 1966 Jeepster. These colours are Firecracker Red and the Bright White used for the hard top, colours that also appear inside in contrast with the black Katzkin leather seats.

The roof has been trimmed by about 5 cm, along with a windscreen reclined 2.5 degrees backwards, which also features the new folding system found on the new 2018 Wrangler. A new bonnet and decals have also been fitted, as well as LED lights with up to 8,000 lumens of capacity, mounted on the A-pillar and the bumper guard.

Its height is increased by 5 cm thanks to the lift kit, while the shock absorbers are 6.3 cm in diameter; the wheels, as usual, are 17 inches and fitted with oversized 37-inch BF Goodrich tyres. Inside, a new tubular roll cage replaces the original; there is also a new mount for the spare wheel which, on the Jeep Jeepster, is housed inside the cabin.

Jeep J-Wagon

The Jeep J-Wagon takes the Wrangler in its Sahara version as its base, and we could say it is one of the most neutral of all the prototypes, since, using Jeep Performance Parts, a vehicle has been created that is suitable for driving on tracks as well as in any urban environment.

Its bodywork has been painted grey with bronze-toned accents, the windows have been tinted, a new bonnet has been fitted designed to accommodate the snorkel, the front grille is now black and Mopar-branded, inherited from the Rubicon, and a 12.7 cm LED light package has been installed. The wheels, presented at the 2017 SEMA Show, are 17 inches with a 5-spoke design. Roof bars and side protectors have also been fitted, along with various minor aesthetic details.

Inside, the Katzkin leather seats are in Camel colour, with channels and grooves in light brown intended to evoke the triangular grille design of the side protectors. This is complemented by the bronze colour chosen for the ventilation outlets, the door handles and the steering wheel.