Official

2015 Easter Jeep Safari concepts unveiled [w/videos]

Seven New Concepts Prepare To Crawl Moab In 49th Annual Event

View 17 Photos
A yearly tradition, Jeep has unveiled seven new concepts that will participate in the 49th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT, in just a couple of weeks. This event is a sort of mecca for Jeep owners and enthusiasts, and like years past, FCA's off-road brand has prepared a slew of excellent new concepts that use a combination of production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts, from the folks at Mopar.

These concepts are far more than just production Jeep vehicles with lift kits and off-road tires, though. What we have here are a number of fully baked, one-off SUVs that show the passion and dedication of Jeep's engineers.

The Easter Jeep Safari takes place from March 28 to April 5. Here's a look at what'll be hitting the trails this year.



2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Chief
2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Chief
View 20 Photos


Jeep Chief

Arguably the coolest concept of the bunch, this Wrangler-based concept is an excellent tribute to the classic, fullsize Jeep Cherokee from the 1970s.

It's painted in a vintage Ocean Blue color, with a white, "French Bread" roof. There's also a custom razor grille (something made famous on the original Wagoneer), removable sides, chrome bumpers, and classic-looking, 17-inch wheels.

Inside, there's surfer-inspired pink, blue, and white cloth mixed with leather trim, with more fun details like a Rosewood front passenger grab handle and tiki-look shift handle. Of course, this thing looks to be truly capable off-road, too, with a two-inch lift kit, Fox shocks, Dana 44 axles at the front and rear, and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 underhood.



2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Staff Car
2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Staff Car
View 27 Photos


Jeep Staff Car

This one's a proper salute to the Jeep military service vehicles of yore. It's an open-air concept based on the four-door Wrangler, with tons of heritage design cues.

It looks old, but we promise, it's totally new. It's got basic steel wheels, a stretched canvas roof, bench seats, a painted steel floor, a built-in cooler that accommodates up to 85 cans, and is painted in an iconic Sandstorm color.

When the going gets tough, the Staff Car can handle it with aplomb, thanks to the Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit, Fox shocks, Dana 44 axles, and again, the Wrangler's 3.6-liter V6.



2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Wrangler Africa
2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Wrangler Africa
View 16 Photos


Jeep Wrangler Africa

Here's another take on the Wrangler Unlimited, painted in Desert Tan, but this time powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine. It looks killer, with 17-inch, body-colored steel wheels wrapped in 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.

Again, there's a two-inch lift kit, Dana 44 axles, and Fox shocks. But this one also adds things like a front winch, power step rock rails, power dome vented hood and an extended rear body and high-top roof.



2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander
2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander
View 26 Photos


Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander

It's not all about Wranglers at Jeep, and this Grand Cherokee concept shows exactly that – a unique take on the company's largest SUV. It wears Sage Green paint, with a custom front fascia, winch, tow hooks, SRT taillamps and hood, off-road rock rails, skid plates, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and more.

Under the hood is Jeep's 3.0-liter diesel V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission. And to top it all off, there's a two-person, hard-shell rooftop tent that we're told is easily deployable.



2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk
2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk
View 15 Photos


Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk

The cute little Renegade gets some Moab love this year, outfitted with a selection of Jeep Performance Parts and Mopar accessories. It wears Desert Tan paint with a huge JPP decal, has a topographical hood decal, and features a Mopar trailer hitch and roof rack.

Inside, there are Katzkin seat covers, body-colored bezel accents, and all-weather floormats from Mopar. This concept is powered by the Renegade's 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine, with a nine-speed automatic transmission.



2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail
2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail
View 16 Photos


Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail

Jeep's iconic tan color makes its way to the midsize Cherokee for this Canyon Trail concept, with things like a satin black hood and similarly colored accents on the roof. Inside, there's more Katzkin leather, with a JPP embroidered logo on the seats.

Off-road capability is enhanced with a two-piece underbody skid plate, oil pan and front suspension skid plates, and unique 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, which provide an additional half-inch of lift. This concept is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, like the Renegade.



2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder
2015 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts: Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder
View 17 Photos


Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder

This one's a a support vehicle, designed to travel the toughest terrain with only the best off-road equipment. Jeep has also fitted this concept with a bunch of spare parts and tools, with built-in drawers and compartments in the cargo box. There's also a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and more – all designed to rescue stranded vehicles.

It won't be hard to miss this one, painted Vibrance Responder Red with hydraulic hood props, high-top fender flares and 17-inch beadlock wheels. It's even got LED headlamps and foglamps, as well as LED A-pillar and off-road lamps.

The wheels are wrapped in 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires, and comes equipped with Fox shocks and Dana 60 axles with 5.38 gearing. It's also got a cold air intake, off-road rock rails, and a Warn winch.

Check out the full details in Jeep's press blast, below.


Related Video:



Show full PR text
Seven New Jeep® Concept Vehicles Unleashed for 49th Annual Easter Jeep Safari

"Jeep is proud to be taking seven new eye-catching and extremely capable vehicles to the Easter Jeep Safari, where we expect to delight our most loyal enthusiasts," said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand. "We go to this legendary event each year to showcase our latest Jeep production vehicles, as well as a variety of new ideas in our concept vehicles. In doing so, we receive a tremendous amount of valuable feedback, while interacting with our customers in the Jeep brand's natural environment. We're especially looking forward to this year's Jeep Safari, as Renegade makes its official public debut on Moab's demanding trails."

This year's collection of Easter Jeep Safari concept vehicles were designed with a combination of production and prototype Jeep Performance Parts. Mopar designed, engineered, built and quality-tested the Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) line meeting strict Jeep specifications, with 4x4 capability and craftsmanship so owners can transform their stock rides into even more capable trail performers.

"The most enthusiastic off-roaders travel to Moab each year for this premier event, making Easter Jeep Safari the perfect place to showcase Jeep Performance Parts," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO – Mopar Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care. "Jeep owners are passionate about their vehicles and Mopar, with Jeep Authentic Accessories and Jeep Performance Parts, offers a full-line of products for them to express this passion through customization, making sure there is no other vehicle like theirs on the road."

The seven new concept vehicles built for Moab this year were created by a small team of dedicated, passionate engineers, designers and fabricators that have been customizing production vehicles since 2002, and have introduced more than 50 concept vehicles for the enthusiasts who attend the popular Easter Jeep Safari.

The 2015 Easter Jeep Safari concept vehicles include:

Jeep Chief

A tribute to the classic 1970s era full-size Jeep Cherokee, this Wrangler-based concept vehicle evokes the west coast surfer lifestyle of sun and fun with a nod to nostalgic beach rides.

Custom exterior design cues include a vintage Ocean Blue exterior color scheme with a white, French Bread roof; a custom modified razor grille that the original Wagoneer made famous; halogen headlamps; removable sides for an open-air feel and flexible hauling; chrome front and rear bumpers and classic, 17-inch slotted mag wheels for a true '70s vibe.

Jeep designers developed the Hawaiian themed interior complete with Jeep-designed "Surfer" pink, blue and white flowered cloth and leather-trimmed seats; vintage-style surf stickers on the center console and door handles; a Rosewood front-passenger grab handle and tiki-style shifter handle; and Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen media center.

The doors and windshield were chopped two inches and the Jeep Chief sports a selection of Jeep Performance Parts that include a two-inch lift kit with Fox shocks and front and rear Dana 44 axles with lockers, cold air intake and modified Rubicon rock rails. The Chief is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Jeep Staff Car

The Jeep Staff Car was built as a salute to legendary Jeep military service vehicles. The open-air Wrangler 4-door-based concept vehicle highlights rugged functionality with heritage design cues. It looks historic and authentic, but is all new.

The function over form of the original Jeep military service vehicles is evident in the Staff Car. Basic steel wheels, minimalist fender flares, "hungry horse" stretched canvas roof and bench seats all echo the original military Jeep vehicles.

The exterior features a Sandstorm exterior color scheme that is carried throughout the vehicle including the wheels, frame and axles. The Jeep Staff Car has no B-pillar and no doors. Jeep designers incorporated military-style round headlamps, Jeep J8 front and rear bumpers, fender-mounted blackout lamp with guards and a rear-mount spare tire and vintage military gas can. The Jeep Staff Car sits on 16-inch wheels with 35-inch Firestone NDT military tires.

The minimalist interior features low-backed bench seats in the first and second row, an integrated roll cage and a painted steel floor in place of carpet. A built-in cooler draws its inspiration from an old artillery box and accommodates 85 cans.

The Jeep Staff Car is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Staff Car has a Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch lift kit with Fox shocks and front and rear Dana 44 axles.

Jeep Wrangler Africa

The Africa is the ultimate Jeep Wrangler for back-country and overland expeditions, with room for extra gear and auxiliary fuel tanks.

The Wrangler 4-door-based vehicle sports a Desert Tan exterior paint, a high-clearance steel front bumper with winch, power step rock rails, power dome vented hood and an extended rear body and high-top roof. Powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine mated to an automatic transmission, the Wrangler Africa also features fender-mounted auxiliary fuel cans. The Africa sports 17-inch body color steel wheels with 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.

The Jeep Wrangler Africa is outfitted with a two-inch lift kit with Fox shocks, sway bar links and front and rear Dana 44 axles from Jeep Performance Parts. The spare tire is underbody-mounted and the cargo area, inner roof and floor are finished in a durable spray-in truck bed coating.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander

The Grand Cherokee-based Overlander concept vehicle represents the rough-and-tumble side of Grand Cherokee, a rugged and dependable vehicle customized for the enthusiast interested in overland expeditions where they travel and camp out of their vehicle.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Overlander sports Sage Green exterior paint. Custom features include a one-off front fascia, integrated front winch, tow hooks, larger wheel flares, SRT taillamps and hood, off-road rock rails, front and rear skid plates and 18-inch milled wheels with BF Goodrich All-terrain T/A tires.

The powertrain is the 3.0-liter diesel V-6 engine mated to the eight-speed Torqueflight transmission.

To top it off, the Grand Cherokee Overlander has a durable spray-in truck bed coating on the roof and a two-person hard-shell rooftop tent that is easily deployable.

Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk

The newest addition to the Jeep lineup, the Jeep Renegade, is the basis for the Desert Hawk concept vehicle, and is equipped with a selection of Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts for the ultimate desert adventure.

The Desert Tan exterior features a Jeep Performance Parts body decal, a topographical hood decal that depicts the Fins and Things Moab trail, off-road rock rails and a skid plate kit. Also featured are Mopar's trailer hitch receiver and roof rack.

On the interior, the Renegade Desert Hawk has been outfitted with Mopar Katzkin seat covers, body color bezel accents and Mopar all-weather floor mats.

The Renegade Desert Hawk is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine with MultiAir2 mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive Low.

Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail

The Canyon Trail concept vehicle is developed from the Jeep Cherokee, Four Wheeler Magazine's "2015 Four Wheeler of the Year." In the spirit of that award, the Canyon Trail ups the Cherokee's best-in-segment capability with Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts specifically designed for even more off-road prowess.

The Cherokee Canyon Trail's Desert Tan exterior paint is accented with a Satin Black hood that includes a topographical hood decal showcasing Hell's Revenge, a renowned off-road trail in Moab. The exterior also displays Jeep Performance Parts body decal, Satin Black roof accent colors and the 2015 "Four Wheeler of the Year" decal.

The Canyon Trail interior features Mopar Katzkin leather seat covers and accent stitching, Jeep Performance Parts embroidered logo on the headrests, body color bezel accents, a cargo tray mat, Jeep Cargo Management System, Moab Off-road bag and all-weather floor mats.

Off-road capability is turned up with the addition of JPP off-road rock rails, a two-piece fuel tank skid plate, two-piece underbody skid plate, oil pan and front suspension skid plates, as well as concept 17-inch painted wheels with BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A tires, which provide an additional one-half inch of lift.

The Jeep Cherokee Canyon Trail is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 I-4 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive Lock, which includes low range and a locking rear differential.

Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder

Based on the Jeep Wrangler, the Red Rock Responder is a support vehicle purpose-built to traverse the world's harshest terrain with premium off-road equipment to respond to any vehicle emergency with spare parts and tools stored in the built-in drawers and compartments of the cargo box.

With a Vibrance Responder Red exterior paint, Jeep Performance Parts body decal, 10th Anniversary hood with hydraulic hood props, high-top fender flares and 17-inch beadlock wheels with body color beadlock ring, the Red Rock Responder stands out on any trail. In addition, the vehicle sports LED headlamps and foglamps, LED A-pillar and off-road lamps.

Functional capability is increased with the addition of 37-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM2 tires, four inches of JPP lift, Fox shocks, and front and rear Dana 60 axles with 5.38 gearing from Jeep Performance Parts. The vehicle also sports a cold-air intake, prototype off-road rock rails and a Warn winch. Red Rock Responder is also armed with Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition steel front and rear bumpers and high-top fenders that were previously concept parts but quickly became a production part due to popular demand.

Side cargo boxes on each side of the vehicle hold a hi lift jack and accessories, fire extinguisher, road side accessory kit, first aid kit, Snap-on tool soft bags and recovery kit. It also stores an air hose and accessories, a dual compressor and air reservoir and has room for a cooler or a case of water.

The interior stands out along with the exterior with embroidered black and red Mopar Katzkin leather seats, Jeep Performance Parts logo embroidered on the headrests, red accent bezels, grab handles and all-weather floor mats.

The Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to an automatic transmission.

About Easter Jeep Safari

Easter Jeep Safari consists of trail rides, mostly day long trips, departing from Moab, Utah throughout the nine-day-long event. The Jeep Safari was started in 1967 by the Moab Chamber of Commerce as a one-day trail ride. Over the years, as participation grew, the Safari grew and expanded until it finally reached the current nine-day event. "Big Saturday" still remains the culmination of the event on the Saturday of Easter weekend.

About Mopar Brand

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words Motor and PARts) was trademarked in 1937 with the launch of an antifreeze product but truly made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era. From Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use, the brand soon expanded to include technical service and customer support.

Today, Mopar is FCA's service, parts and customer-care brand and distributes more than 500,000 parts and accessories in more than 130 markets, integrating service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Mopar is the source for genuine parts and accessories for FCA brands.

Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for FCA vehicles – a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at www.mopar.com.

Jeep Information

Share This Photo X