The Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar team have revealed a lineup of custom-built 4×4 and 4xe concept vehicles to conquer Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, April 9-17.
“Easter Jeep Safari is the perfect opportunity for the Jeep brand to push the limits of four-wheel-drive development and, most importantly, to stay connected with our customers,” said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. “Moab is a rite of passage for many Jeep owners, and to own a Jeep is to truly understand the lifestyle – it’s what the Jeep brand is all about. Whether it’s a Jeep concept or the latest Jeep production vehicle, our customers have the chance to get up close and personal with our passion projects during this event. From a fully capable BEV off-roader to rugged and powerful terrain tacklers, every concept is a true reflection of what our customers tell us they want and give a taste of where the future of the Jeep brand and off-roading can go.”
This year, 10 Jeep brand and JPP concept vehicles are equipped with an array of powertrains, the company said. The lineup is punctuated by the return of Jeep Wrangler Magneto, the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) concept from the Jeep brand, as well as the more powerful and capable Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0 and four additional Jeep 4xe concept vehicles. Additionally, each concept features the latest production and prototype JPP from Mopar.
The 2022 Easter Jeep Safari concept vehicles include:
Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0 Concept
The Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0 concept is an upgraded version of the Jeep Wrangler Magneto battery-electric propulsion jeep.
The Magneto 2.0’s powertrain basics include:
- Custom-built axial flux electric motor that operates up to 5,250 rpm
- Six-speed manual transmission
- Four lithium-ion battery packs, distributed throughout the chassis for weight balance, with a combined power of 70 kW/h, running an 800-volt system
- An inverter derived from race cars converts DC power to AC for the motor
Peak amperage in the propulsion system is more than doubled to 600 amps, which enables the Magneto 2.0 to deliver up to 850 lb.-ft. of peak torque to the wheels – more than triple the torque output of last year’s concept – and 625 horsepower. A new electric powertrain calibration maintains the peak amperage for up to 10 seconds.
First gear ratio in the manual transmission is changed from 5.13 to 3.36. Torque is delivered through a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s Rock-Trac transfer case. A driver-selectable maximum regeneration function added to the propulsion system offers a “one-pedal” driving experience.
Other upgrades include an added 12 inches to the wheelbase of the two-door Wrangler body style, creating extra room for powertrain components and giving the Magneto 2.0 proportions similar to the “LJ” Wrangler Unlimited from 2004-06. Augmenting that stretch are a custom 3-inch lift kit and 40-inch off-road tires mounted on 20-inch wheels.
The off-road specific chassis setup includes a Dynatrac 60 Pro-Rock front axle and a Pro-Rock Dynatrac 80 rear axle with a 5.38 ratio and lockers for both axles, custom driveshaft and an off-road suspension.
Custom, lightweight bumpers replace the factory units, front and rear. Carbon-fiber wheel flares, front and rear, cover the wide tires.
Surf Blue paint, a custom carbon-fiber B-pillar, custom bikini top and carbon-fiber hood round out exterior upgrades, while the custom hood includes a blue-tinted, transparent window that gives a view of the power unit underneath.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe Concept
This spring, the Jeep brand is launching the first-ever electrified Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, which will deliver 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) and 25 miles of all-electric range.
Like the new production Grand Cherokee 4xe, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe concept is powered by two electric motors, a 400-volt battery pack, 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s also equipped with Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension to optimize ride performance, and sway-bar disconnect.
The concept includes a custom Industrial Blue exterior, along with signature 4xe Lagoon Blue tow hooks and glare-proof black-and-blue matte Trailhawk hood decal. Adding to its appearance is a custom roof rack with integrated tie downs, black painted Rhino Liner roof for added durability, custom fog light bezels with quad LED projector fog lamps and custom vinyl side graphics for protection against debris. Mopar rock rails add further protection.
The interior incorporates custom saddle-colored upholstered seats with “Rodney” houndstooth inserts. The seats also feature the 4xe Trailhawk badge and Surf Blue stitching.
The off-roading rig also comes equipped with custom 20-inch painted Neutral Gray metallic matte wheels with 33-inch BFG mud-terrain tires and trimmed wheel wells with custom widened flares.
Jeep ’41 Concept
During Easter Jeep Safari, the Jeep brand pays homage to Jeep vehicles of the past. This year, the spotlight shines brightly on the Wrangler Willys.
The concept’s 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain is capable of an estimated 49 MPGe and delivers up to 21 miles of electric-only propulsion.
The Wrangler 4xe’s advanced powertrain provides power through the combination of two electric motors, a high-voltage battery pack, a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.
The concept’s exterior color, including wheel flares and mirror caps, is decorated in an olive D.R.A.B. ‘41 matte green finish, with black powder-coated steel bumpers, Warn winch and JPP bumper hoop. A retro trim cap, a tan soft-top, JPP half doors, a custom stenciled graphics package from the Jeep Graphic Studio and accent-colored tow hooks highlight the exterior.
Inside the ’41 concept is a retro shifter with a customized shifter cap from the Jeep Graphic Studio, along with canvas-covered seats that feature digital camo inserts and Serafil 1043 stitching. A Rhino-lined heavy texture floor in D.R.A.B. ‘41 matte green adds durability. The concept’s instrument panel inserts are also painted D.R.A.B. ‘41 matte green and the cluster features a custom Willys retro graphic.
The ’41 concept sits on a JPP 2-inch lift kit and 35-inch mud-terrain tires with 17-inch Fifteen52 wheels painted in D.R.A.B. ‘41 matte green.
Jeep Rubicon 20th Anniversary Concept
The Rubicon 20th Anniversary concept, based on the quickest, most powerful Wrangler yet – the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 – continues the legacy established two decades ago by setting the benchmark for performance and capability with its 6.4-liter V-8 engine, Jeep said.
The modified four-door Wrangler Rubicon 392 features an active dual-mode performance exhaust, a performance hood with center scoop, custom-built half doors and Sky One-touch powertop with removable side panels.
The concept’s matte Granite Crystal exterior vinyl wrap is accentuated with gold tow hooks and badging, a Rubicon 20th anniversary hood decal, American flag fender decal and Mopar swing gate air compressor.
For additional capability, a JPP 2-inch lift kit, 17-inch Mopar beadlock-capable wheels with 37-inch mud-terrain tires, steel bumpers and hoop with Warn winch and steel belly pan were added.
Jeep Bob Concept
Designed to blur the lines between the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, the Jeep Bob concept is a playful spin on the popular trend of “bobbing” the long overhangs of pickup truck beds to make it the ultimate terrain tackler.
Based on a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, the most noticeable traits of this truck are not what’s on it, but rather what’s missing. All four doors and B-pillars have been removed, while, a customized hardtop has been perforated and a canvas top has been stretched over top to provide shelter from the elements while allowing natural light through.
The Gladiator bed has been “bobbed” a full foot of length. Custom steel front and rear bumpers improve the vehicle’s approach and departure angles.
Off-road capability is further amplified by a 3-inch lift with custom off-road suspension components, Dynatrac Pro-Rock 60 axles supported by a mix of King Coils and Bypass shocks, plus 40-inch tires mounted to 20-inch beadlock wheels.
The multi-finish exterior paint scheme mixes gloss and matte finishes. Inside, the Jeep Bob features bright bed-lined floors plus custom trimmed seats. A vented carbon hood adds a notable performance appearance and ensures better airflow to the engine.
The Bob concept is powered by the 3.0-liter Eco-Diesel V-6 engine. The EcoDiesel V-6 connects to a TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission, calibrated for low RPM shifts. It’s also equipped with a Mopar cold-air intake to further boost torque and improve fuel economy.
Jeep D-Coder Concept by JPP
The Gloss Black Jeep Gladiator D-Coder concept carries more than 35 JPP and Mopar accessories, each painted in contrasting Maraschino Red and labeled with QR (quick response) codes of factory accessories.
Each scannable QR code provides a live link to the Mopar eStore consumer website for specific part numbers, specifications and pricing information. Enhanced QR codes on the bedside and hood link to the current JPP catalog.
Up front on the Gladiator D-Coder concept is a Rubicon three-piece modular bumper carrying a single-hoop tubular grille and winch guard with a pair of TYRI 7-inch LED off-road lights just above a Rubicon Warn winch.
A JPP 2-inch lift kit with FOX shocks helps provide ample room for the JPP 17-by-8.5-inch five-spoke beadlock wheels riding on BFGoodrich KM3 37-inch tires.
On the front-passenger side, a JPP snorkel keeps water out of the 3.6-liter Pentastar engine when fording through high water depths while safely allowing air into the Mopar cold-air intake system under the hood. Completing the powertrain upgrade is a Mopar cat-back dual-exhaust system.
A JPP Gorilla Glass windshield offers up to three times the strength of a standard windshield. A pair of TYRI 5-inch LED lights mount securely in JPP A-pillar mounting brackets on each side of the cowl area.
Heavy-gauge steel JPP rock rails provide protection for the lower body panels and sit just below the JPP tube doors, fitted with JPP tube-door mirrors on both sides. Additional rock rails protect the truck bed behind the rear wheels and feature a replaceable nylon rock-rail trim cover.
The distinct Maraschino Red contrasting theme continues inside the cabin of the Gladiator D-Coder concept with Katzkin leather covering both rows of seats. An enhanced QR code on each seat links directly to the Katzkin website for details on customizable leather options, including colors, stitching and accents, along with real-time pricing information.
Rounding out the interior are Mopar accessories, including four door-sill guards, stainless-steel pedal covers and all-weather floor mats throughout.
Inside the truck bed, which is protected by a spray-in textured Mopar bedliner, a set of mounted Mopar bed rails carry a THULE low-profile cargo basket for additional storage space.
Jeep Birdcage Concept by JPP
Designed as a wide-open-air extreme 4×4 machine, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe Birdcage concept showcases a variety of custom accessories from JPP and Mopar.
Riding on a JPP 2-inch lift kit with FOX shocks, specifically engineered and tuned for the plug-in hybrid electric Wrangler 4xe, the Eagle Brown off-roader features Granite Crystal metallic and various signature Jeep 4xe Surf Blue accents.
Improving the front approach angle on the Wrangler 4xe Birdcage concept is a custom rock-slider skid plate that connects two rounded 2-inch steel support bars, integral to the custom seven-slot grille. The slider plate protects the recessed Warn winch. Two low-mount, Surf Blue closed-tow hoops are attached behind the skid plate to the side of the frame for improved tow performance.
JPP five-spoke beadlock wheels measure 17 by 8.5 inches and are mounted with BFGoodrich KM3 37-inch tires. New custom flat-fender flares and wheel liners, designed specifically for larger wheel/tire combinations provide additional clearance.
The flat fender flares have removable daytime running light (DRL) covers for the off-road enthusiast who may require extra tire clearance for extreme off-road situations. This concept is the first 50-state legal fender flare with OEM DRL and meets 50-state tire coverage requirements.
For additional off-road protection with 37-inch tires, the Jeep design team created taillight spacers to meet federal lighting requirements.
Illuminating the ground below the Jeep Wrangler 4xe Birdcage concept are underbody rock lights at all four corners while custom rock rails on each side feature additional slider tubes mounted for enhanced body protection.
The windshield and windshield wipers are removed. The design team closed off the instrument panel and created custom cowl and windshield-wiper filler panel covers. Three concept header-mounted 14-inch JPP TYRI off-road LED lights provide lighting.
On the interior, Tobacco Leaf and Cocoa Brown leather seats feature seat inserts and Surf Blue accent stitching, which carries through on the instrument panel, steering wheel, shifter boot and emergency-brake handle.
Front-seat occupants will find a custom JPP instrument-panel accessory rail that holds various mobile devices securely in place. Mopar stainless-steel pedal covers use black rubber pads to provide traction to the accelerator and brake pedals. Armorlite vinyl floor throughout the cabin provides a durable and easy-to-maintain surface with drain plugs for rinsing.
The Mopar design team created the Add-A-Trunk concept decklid panel that provides security for accessories when the roof is removed. Designed for any Jeep Wrangler model with the capacity to store a full-size cooler, the Add-A-Trunk feature uses gas-assisted shocks to lift the decklid panel out of the way for easy access when the swing gate is open. Eight tie-down loops and five grocery-bag hooks provide extra functionality.
For additional storage, a GO Rhino SRM600 Rack cargo basket is securely mounted to the top of the roll cage.
Inside the tailgate panel, a JPP swing-gate flip-down table provides a working or eating space and sits next to an integral on-board air compressor.
