Five new concept cars likely for annual Jeep fan fest, including two based on Gladiator pick-up
Jeep has released a second teaser for the 2023 running of its annual fan meet – the 57th Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah on April 1 – that suggests it could be readying no fewer than five new concept vehicles.
Once again, the second batch of teaser images was accompanied by no details, and this time only the caption: “The trail continues! When it comes to legendary electrified off-road capability, unapologetic colour palettes and powerful platforms for any adventure, what comes to mind?”
This suggests that this year’s Jeep Safari show cars will all be electrified – and painted in new bold colours in order to gauge public reception before offering them on production Jeeps.
The first of three new images released overnight shows a pink vehicle that’s tipped to be the incoming plug-in hybrid Jeep Gladiator 4xe pick-up, which is expected on sale in 2024.
The next image shows what looks like a modified Wrangler, or yet another Gladiator, fitted with Jeep Performance Parts (the watermark in the image is the big clue here) to give it more extreme off-road capability.
The final new image looks like its shows the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, suggesting it could be the 4xe model that will also rock up in 2024, but not for the Australian market.
Previously teased in fluorescent green paint was what looks like a two-door Jeep Gladiator ‘shorty’, or at least a two-door Wrangler-based ute. Featuring fastback rear pillars, the new concept looks more like a ‘lifestyle’ poseur than true hard-core off-roader.
Looking like it will feature a rollover hoop complete with a pair of driving lights, the latest Jeep pick-up concept will pack plenty of visual punch thanks to massively pumped-up wheel-arches. It also appears to be completely doorless due to the lack of hinges on display.
Under the bonnet of the Gladiator ‘shorty’ concept is likely to be Jeep’s 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is yet to become available in Australia.
Producing 280kW and 637Nm of torque, the 4xe system combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors, a 400-volt 17.3kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an eight-speed auto.
In this application, the result could be an electrified Gladiator that should be able to average 4.7L/100km and cover up to 40km in pure-electric mode.
Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0
The final concept its thought to debut yet more new components from the Jeep Performance Parts division, at least in the US.
Based on the current Wrangler Rubicon, the concept appears to preview new tube-section doors and what looks like a new roof rack.
Expect more teasers and details on all five concepts to be released in the build-up to next month’s Easter Jeep Safari.
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Keyword: Second tough Jeep Gladiator concept teased