The 7 concepts of Jeep and Mopar at the Easter Jeep Safari 2018

These are the prototypes that Jeep and Mopar have created for one of the most important events in the world for off-road enthusiasts. Which one do you prefer?

For the 52nd year running, Jeep and Mopar are attending the Easter Jeep Safari, taking place this year from 24 March to 1 April in Moab, Utah. It is an unmissable date for 4×4 fans and off-roading enthusiasts. And, as usual, the Jeep and Mopar brands surprise everyone there with builds, concepts and ideas that often end up in production or become part of the extensive Mopar personalisation catalogue, which already includes more than 200 accessories for the Jeep Wrangler 2018.

These are this year’s concept cars:

Jeep 4SPEED Concept

At Jeep they say the concept in the opening image, as its name suggests (using an English play on words), is built “for speed”. The main work has therefore focused on reducing weight, although they do not say by how much. The overall length has been reduced by 22 inches compared with the standard Jeep Wrangler, while keeping the wheelbase unchanged. Approach and departure angles have been improved, and ground clearance increased by 5 cm. It rides on special 18-inch wheels with BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tyres. Under the bonnet is a new 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Jeep Sandstorm Concept

Take a closer look. Yes, beneath its aggressive appearance lies a true desert king. The Jeep Sandstorm is inspired by “Baja”-style racing cars, designed to run at high speed over sandy terrain. In this case, though, Jeep wanted to keep a level of usability that would let the Sandstorm be used day to day as well. The key lies in the suspension. The rear axle has been moved about 10 centimetres forward and the front axle 5 cm back, so the wheelbase grows by no less than 15 cm, for maximum stability at high speed. Special springs and dampers also allow suspension travel of nearly 36 cm at the front and 46 cm at the rear. The tyres are BF Goodrich Krawler, and the engine is a 6.4-litre V8 with a Mopar Performance touch, in this case paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Jeep B-Ute Concept

The Jeep B-Ute has been well equipped, drawing on the Jeep Performance Parts accessory catalogue. The front grille and bumpers are exclusive, and it also fits widened wheel arches. To fit the BF Goodrich T/A Baja Champion tyres, a lift kit is included that adds almost 4 cm of ground clearance. The engine is a 2.4-litre unit with a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip Concept

What is a 4×4 like the Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip concept doing at an event like this? Stirring the nostalgia of the brand’s followers with a model that, though it may not look it, has been heavily transformed from the original. The entire body has been modified to increase the wheelbase by almost 13 cm, with wider axles fitted. Owners of an original Wagoneer would be amazed at how effective its multi-link suspensions are. This model first went on sale in 1963, remained in production until 1991, and for many it is the forerunner of today’s SUVs. The concept for the Easter Jeep Safari has a 5.7-litre V8 engine, mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

Jeep Nacho Jeep Concept

A perfect example of maximum personalisation. The Nacho Jeep Concept lives up to its name with its body colour, and is fitted with a host of Mopar parts. It has LED lights mounted on the front pillar, bumper protectors, a lift kit, and special wheels with a charcoal finish and gloss-black rings with cadmium-plated bolts. The tubular doors and the Warn winch also draw attention.

Jeep Jeepster Concept

Recalling the legendary Jeepster of the mid-1960s, this concept combines Jeep Performance Parts elements on the body of a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The combination of the red body and white roof is as striking as the 17-inch wheels painted in the body colour. It has a 5 cm lift kit, with special damping and oversized BF Goodrich tyres. Inside, the Wrangler’s roll bars give way to a tubular safety cage.

Jeep J-Wagon Concept

It is perhaps the least eye-catching of “the 7 magnificent”, but the Jeep J-Wagon also has plenty to offer, built from Jeep Performance Parts elements. It is based on a Jeep Wrangler Sahara, with a special bonnet to fit a snorkel and an effective LED lighting kit. The grille comes from a Wrangler Rubicon, the bumpers from a Sahara, and the wheels are painted in the same grey as the body. The distinctive touches come through the contrasting orange details, as well as the Camel-coloured interior upholstery, which completes the J-Wagon’s sought-after premium 4×4 character.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadJeep Wrangler2 versions · from 87,750 €