Easter Jeep Safari
Updated '68 Commando, all-electric Magneto among concept car roster at Easter Jeep Safari
The Jeep Magneto concept has arrived in Moab.
Easter is nearly here which means that the annual Jeep pilgrimage to Moab is upon us. Easter Jeep Safari kicks off March 27 and ahead of that, Jeep has released photos and descriptions of the unique concept cars that they're bringing to Utah. Scroll down to see them all.
"This year's Safari shines a spotlight on what makes Jeep vehicles unmistakably distinctive and undeniably capable, a variety of powertrains that deliver superior power, performance, torque and, above all, fun," said Jim Morrison, Vice President, Jeep Brand North America. "Moab's demanding trails are a worthy opponent for our Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator concept vehicles. Each is certain to prove that Jeep's legendary 4x4 capability reigns supreme on any terrain."
Jeep has restomodded a 1968 Jeepster Commando, changing it into the Jeepster Beach. The mod started life as a C-101 but has been blended with a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to achieve its fun in the sun look. Its bodied was modified and exterior fuses original chrome with the two-tone Hazy IPA and Zinc Oxide paint job.
Under the hood is a modern turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that has been calibrated for 25 percent greater performance than what you'll find in Jeeps on dealership lots. It delivers 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque and has been paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The whole rig rides on 35-inch tires.
The Jeepster Beach's custom interior features low-back bucket seats trimmed in red leather. The rear seat was replaced with a chrome, four-point safety cage and the carpets were removed to make cleaning out sand a breeze.
Jeep has amped up the Gladiator for this concept, which takes its off-roading very seriously. Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 that puts out 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles have been upgraded with 4.88 axle rations. The truck is capable of a 91:1 crawl radio.
Helping the truck stand out from the crowd is its Fire Cracker Red exterior with custom Matte Black graphics with gold accents. Its hood and cowl is from a Gladiator Mojave and there is a Matte Black seven-slot grille insert. The truck keeps its factory soft-top and half-doors.
There's also a Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch lift kit, 17-inch Matte Black wheels wrapped in 37-inch BFG mud-terrain tires, cargo bed-mounted sport bar, Jeep Performance Parts Sand Slider rock rails, bed cover and rack system, factory steel bumpers with a Warn winch, and front bumper grille guard.
The cab of the truck has Katzkin black leather seats with red stitching and custom red flannel inserts. The instrument panel is wrapped in the same flannel material. Body-color matched truck-bed lined floors with Mopar slush mats complete the look.
The Jeep Magneto concept is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that combines legendary Jeep prowess with the quiet ride that comes with an all-electric powertrain. The zero-emissions 4x4 is based on the two-door 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
It uses a custom-built axial flux electric motor that operates up to 6,000 rpm. The e-motor is connected to a six-speed manual transmission, creating a unique manual-electric powertrain with a clutch that operates as it would with an internal combustion engine. In quick-shift scenarios, the e-motor engages regen upon clutch engagement to prevent rev-hang.
The BEV is tuned to get figures similar to the Wrangler V6 with 285 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Unlike other BEVs on the market today, this one features a manual-electric powertrain. The SUV's electric motor is powered by four lithium-ion battery packs that combine to equal 70 kilowatt-hours to power.
The packs are located in a variety of areas on the vehicle. One pack replaces the Wrangler's mid-ship fuel tank, another is mounted opposite the fuel tank location, the third pack sits atop the e-motor under the hood, and the fourth pack mounts in the space normally used for a rear storage compartment, also using space typically occupied by the exhaust muffler.
The Magneto concept can get from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.
Jeep has packaged all the parts together in a way that keeps them water-tight in order to preserve the Wrangler's 30-inch water fording capability. There's also a a JPP 2-inch lift kit, 17-inch Lights Out black metallic wheels with 35-inch mud-terrain tires, custom roll cage, Mopar Rock Rails, steel bumpers with a Warn winch, and a steel belly pan.
The Magneto is painted Bright White with Surf Blue accents. It has a heavy-duty performance hood with center scoop and custom decal, redesigned rear gate, and full-width forward lighting. Custom Royal Blue and Black leather seats with Sapphire-colored inserts and straps, Surf Blue truck bed liner, and Mopar slush mats help make the Magneto pop.
Jeep has designed the Orange Peelz concept as a celebration of the open-air heritage of the model. Designers removed the rear and side windows, installed Jeep Performance Parts half-doors, and installed a custom removable Freedom Top glass sunroof.
Off-road performance comes from the proven Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch lift kit with FOX shocks that increases ground clearance. Just below the concept steel "high-top" fender flares are 17-inch Jeep Performance Parts beadlock-capable aluminum wheels riding on 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires with Mopar valve stem caps that feature the Jeep logo.
A Satin Black 360-degree custom beltline graphic and Satin Black vintage Jeep fender badges enhances the aesthetic. Its paint job is the same as its name: Orange Peelz.
The hood of the connote has custom black Mopar hood latches with the Jeep Willys logo.They're flanked by Jeep Performance Parts 5-inch off-road LED lights mounted at the base of the A-pillars. The Jeep Orange Peelz concept is equipped with a factory-backed Mopar windshield made with Corning Gorilla Glass- the same material as an iPhone screen.
A custom Jeep Performance Parts Rubicon steel bumper includes a prototype 2-inch steel grille guard and the exclusive JPP 8,000-lb capacity Rubicon Warn winch. There's also custom rock rails.
The rear features a Jeep Performance Parts Swing Gate Hinge Reinforcement, which allows for a larger spare tire. The Jeep Performance Parts CHMSL (Center High-Mount Stop Lamp) Relocation Kit mounts the third brake light in the center of the spare tire. Body-color tow hooks on the rear and front complete the exterior.
Jeep Performance Parts grab handles make getting in the cabin easy. The interior id decked out in plaid armrests, upper and lower seat inserts, and mid-instrument panels. Accent-orange stitching completes the steering wheel, shifter boots, and the parking-brake handle.
Mopar stainless steel pedal covers with rubber pads are for the driver. Door sills are protected by black sill guards that feature the vehicle's logo.
The Jeep Orange Peelz concept is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain has been upgraded with a Jeep Performance Parts cold-air intake and Jeep Performance Parts cat-back exhaust system.
Jeep Farout
Photo courtesy of Stellantis
The Jeep Farout is an encore of 2019's Jeep Wayout concept that leverages the 2021 Jeep Gladiator's power and prowess to take adventure-seekers further off the beaten path. Check out more about the truck here.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
After a successful trial period, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is making its way to production. This concept is the one that debuted late last year generating enthusiasm ahead of the official production announcement. You can read more about the concept here.
Using exclusive Jeep Performance Parts and custom accessories, Mopar designers transformed a 2020 Jeep Gladiator into a concept vehicle for serious mountain bikers. We first saw this concept in 2020. You can read more about it and see more photos here.
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