Something old, something new, something bonkers? The Jeep Easter Safari will have it all…
- Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept
- Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept
- Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept
- ‘Pink’ Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept
- Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept
- Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept
- Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn Concept
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Jeep has rolled out seven – yes seven – concept cars for the 2023 Easter Jeep Safari including the third and final all-electric Wrangler prototype, dubbed Magneto 3.0, and the Jeep Scrambler – a wild new V8-powered two-door pick-up truck.
Every Easter Jeep Safari is accompanied by a number of unique concept vehicles to test new ideas and designs, and this year it’s a Wrangler-heavy menu – although there are also Gladiator and Grand Wagoneer prototypes, along with a striking 1978 Jeep Cherokee restomod that gets a turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid powertrain transplant.
“Every year, more than 20,000 Jeep enthusiasts descend on Moab, Utah, for Easter Jeep Safari to drive in the most extreme off-road conditions, where our engineers continue to push the capability of our Jeep vehicles to next levels,” said Jim Morrison, Jeep’s North American boss.
“It’s the perfect place to showcase our seven new Jeep concepts, because it’s with these Jeep enthusiasts that we’ll be able to push the limits even more and get their feedback on where they want to take the Jeep brand into the future.”
Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept
The third and final iteration of the Magneto concept has been dubbed the ‘final charge’ and is expected to heavily influence Jeep’s upcoming Wrangler EV which has been inked in for a 2025 launch.
The brawny Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 concept comes in for a handful of design updates compared to last year’s show car and is powered by a stump-pulling, rock-climbing axial flux electric motor that pumps out a staggering 485kW and 1220Nm.
Paired with a six-speed manual, the all-electric Wrangler now features a range of different drive modes including one-pedal driving, which is likely to make its way into the production vehicle in some form.
Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept
Anyone whose been holding out for a two-door Jeep pick-up will be heartened by the Scrambler. The heavily modified Wrangler-based ute shows that Jeep is still thinking about a two-door pick-up to joins the dual-cab Gladiator four-door and this one is a doozy, fitted with massive 40-inch mud-terrain tyres driven by a thumping 6.4-litre Hemi V8.
With its chopped roof and stylised tray, the two-door Scrambler looks mean and generates a mega 351kW and 637Nm, which is leveraged by a range of weight-saving upgrades such as numerous carbon-fibre body parts.
Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept
Jeep’s skunkworks bought a second-hand beat-up 1978 Jeep Cherokee on Craigslist then cleaned it up and modernised the two-door SUV with a new cabin, new suspension – including Dana 44 front and rear axles – and a potent petrol-electric hybrid powertrain pilfered from the Jeep Wranger 4xe.
Despite all the modern bits, it still has a cool 1970s vibe and Jeep’s design boss, Mark Allen, said the classic restomod concepts are “always a sure fire hit” with the Jeep faithful at Moab.
“People love these. We love to do them. I think we’ve gotten pretty good at it as well,” he added, pointing out that the cabin even has an eight track tape player and a secret stash box.
‘Pink’ Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept
If you want to stand out, paint your car pink. That was thinking behind the pink-painted Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, which is a follow-up to the limited-edition Tuscadero pink exterior colour that was offered in 2021 to US customers – and was a sell-out success.
This particular concept features a few upgrades on top of the eye-popping paint work, including custom leather seats with animal print perforations and a bold black leather dash panel complete with zipper trim that revealed a pink velvet just beneath.
It wouldn’t be a Moab Easter Safari concept without upgraded air suspension and chunky 37-inch tyres, diff covers and a Warn winch.
Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept
While the Jeep Grand Wagoneer won’t be rolling into Australian Jeep dealerships anytime soon – if ever – this modified bus is very cool, adding an extra level of off-roadworthiness with things like a front-mounted winch, chunky 35-inch all-terrain tyres and a 1.5-inch lift kit.
Bigger wheel-arches were crafted to fit the new wheels and the front bumper features quad laser lights for extra illumination off the beaten track.
There’s a luxury Skyloft rooftop tent with a mattress that connects with the interior through the sunroof and the back seats have been replaced with two beanbags, throw rugs and pillows to create a loungeroom feel.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept
The Departure concept is all about getting closer to nature while off-roading and this Wrangler Rubicon-based show car boasts tube doors, an open-air cabin and a folding front grille guard that turns into a bench seat when parked.
LED driving lights on the windscreen remain operational when the window is folded down and at the rear the spare wheel mount can be flipped to allow for more cargo room or improved departure angles.
It also gets 37-nch BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres, a 2.0-inch lift kit, Bilstein dampers and a Warn winch, to name just a few of the capability mods.
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn Concept
The Sideburn concept is based on the Jeep Gladiator 4×4 dual-cab and features a completely new rear tray section with an industrial vibe, along with several integrated storage features. Custom half doors and a novel carbon-fibre sports bar complete the look.
Like all the other Jeep concepts shown today, the Sideburn concept is jacked up – this time with a 2.0-inch lift kit – and rides on 17-inch rims shod with 37-inch all-terrain tyres.
New Bilstein shockers and custom rock rails join a pair of removable 11-inch TYRI LED lights on each of the hardtop roof panels with custom bracketry.
For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales’ Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast
Join the conversation at our Facebook page Or email us at [email protected]
Keyword: Seven wild Jeep concepts unleashed for Moab