Jeep and Mopar Reveal Six New Concept Vehicles
Jeep and Mopar have together revealed a range of off-roader concepts at this year’s annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Now in its 47th year, the Easter Jeep Safari is typically attented by thousands of die-hard off-road enthusiasts looking to enjoy a week of wheeling on some of America’s most famous and challenging trails.
“We go to this extremely popular event in Moab each year to showcase the latest production vehicles from Jeep, as well as a host of new customisation and personalisation ideas. In doing so, we connect with and receive a tremendous amount of feedback from our most loyal customers,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group.
Jeep and Mopar sprinkled production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts on this year’s collection of concept vehicles.
“We created our new Jeep Performance Parts portfolio for extreme off-road Jeep fanatics,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Jeep owners who are passionate about customisation, performance and personalisation will have a long menu of Jeep Performance Parts from which to choose.”
Since 2002, Jeep and Mopar have teamed to create nearly 40 different concept vehicles for enthusiasts who attend the popular Easter Jeep Safari.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept
The 2014 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept – the third Grand Cherokee created for Easter Jeep since 2011 – features 35-inch Mickey Thompson off-road tires on Wrangler Rubicon 17-inch aluminum wheels, enlarged wheel openings with custom fender flares, custom front and rear skid plates, dual rear tow hooks and modified Mopar rock rails.
Custom design cues include a Grand Cherokee SRT hood, SRT front and rear fascias that have been modified for extra ground clearance, a black front grille, a matte black roof and one-off custom roof rails. The body is finished in a non-metallic blood-orange hue.
Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon
The Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon features a grey exterior and extra firepower with a 6.4-litre HEMI V-8 crate engine from Mopar. The 470 horsepower engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and Dana 60 front and rear axles with 4.10 gearing. The axles are suspended by a 4.5-inch prototype long-arm lift kit and roll on Jeep Performance Parts prototype forged eight-lug beadlock wheels with 39-inch off-road tires.
The interior includes Mopar slush mats, black door-sill guards, a locking below-floor storage box, side sun visors, grab handles, trailside winch kit and a custom seat made from Navy blankets and Navy camouflage material.
Jeep Wrangler Stitch
Based on the 2013 Wrangler Rubicon, the Stitch has been lightened to a parse 3,000-lb. curb weight, giving it a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.
Jeep designers shaved as much weight wherever possible: the frame, axles, body and interior. The audio system and all heating and air conditioning components have been removed. The front seats are taken from the new 2013 SRT Viper and the rear seats have been removed. Sections of the body have been cut out, the doors have been removed, and the hood is a custom carbon fibre version of the one found on the Jeep Wrangler 10th Anniversary Rubicon. The standard roll cage has been replaced with a chrome moly unit, and the Full-Traction lower control arms, floor pan and GenRight fuel tank are made of aluminum. Even the frame and axles were modified to remove weight.
Off-road hardware consists of a Mopar cold-air intake and Mopar exhaust kit, Mickey Thompson 35-inch off-road tires on 17-inch aluminum wheels, custom DynaTrac Pro Rock 44 axles with 4.88 gears and ARB front and rear lockers, King shocks with pneumatic bump stops and Tom Woods drive shafts.
Individual design details include a windshield that has been chopped two inches, a clear yellow vinyl soft top, black leather SRT Viper seats and centre console with a yellow instrument panel and seat backs, Truck-Lite LED headlamps and the previously mentioned carbon fibre hood. The black body panels are wrapped in a see-through silver architectural fabric that hides the cut panels at some angles, and makes them visible at others.
Jeep Wrangler Sand Trooper II from Mopar
The Sand Trooper II features a 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 to give it 375 horsepower and 400 ft.-lb. of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission sends the HEMI power to Mopar eight-lug front and rear Portal axles for added ground clearance. Jeep Performance Parts prototype forged beadlock wheels carry 40-inch off-road tires.
Jeep Wrangler Flattop
Jeep designers took additional care to try and give the Wrangler Flattop an upscale appearance inside and out, but bolted some hard-core off-road gear to Flattop’s chassis.
Featuring a custom one-piece, windowless hard top, the body is finished in a metallic sandstone with copper and brown accents. The top and windshield were chopped two inches, and the b-pillar was removed creating a largeopening from front to rear. Custom high line fender flares, Truck-Lite LED headlamps, LED rear taillamps and side markers, a Warn Zeon winch and TeraFlex spare tire carrier round off the exterior enhancements.
The interior features dark saddle Katzkin leather seating, copper accents on the steering wheel spokes, vent rings and passenger grab handle and Mopar slush mats.
Under Flattop’s exterior is some heavy-duty off-road gear such as a Mopar cold-air intake, Mopar exhaust kit, aluminum five-spoke wheels that carry 37-inch Mickey Thompson off-road tires, the DynaTrac Pro Rock 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles feature ARB air lockers and TeraFlex sway bars, and Full-Traction control arms. All of this is hardware is bolted to King shocks with pneumatic bump stops.
Jeep Wrangler Slim
The “Rock Lobster” colour exterior of the two-door Jeep Wrangler Slim features full doors and a hard top. Powered by a 3.6-litre V-6, the Slim has a 3:73 anti-spin axle. Rolling on prototype 17-inch Jeep Performance Parts forged beadlock wheels with Rock Lobster “beauty rings”, the Slim features a special 10th Anniversary Rubicon front bumper, which complements the rear bumper, and is the lightest weight rear bumper that Mopar offers. The Slim also sports lightweight rock rails, black grille, black hood decal, LED headlights, locking gas cap and Rubicon tires.
Source: Jeep
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