Every year in Moab, Utah, Jeep designers put their creativity to the test, coming up with all sorts of off-road-prepped concepts for the Easter Safari. For 2023, besides the bespoke Wrangler and Gladiator builds, the lineup includes a hybrid-converted 1978 Jeep Cherokee restomod, and a Grand Wagoneer Overland camper.
Four of the seven concepts that will be showcased at the 57th annual Easter Jeep Safari come fitted with electrified powertrains, showing the automaker’s intention for the future. So let’s check them out one by one, starting with the highlights.
1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept
The most interesting concept is based on a 1978 Jeep Cherokee (SJ), featuring a modern plug-in hybrid powertrain transplant from the new Wrangler 4xe. This includes the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, dual electric motors, a battery pack, and an eight-speed automatic elevating its performance and efficiency to 2023 standards.
Besides being electrified, the two-door off-roader from the ’70s has been upgraded with modern off-road front and rear bumpers, a chrome-finished grille, LED headlights, a vintage paint job, and a set of 17-inch “slotted mag” style wheels shod in 37-inch tires. Inside, we find a Wrangler-sourced steering wheel and dashboard including the infotainment touchscreen, and a pair of leather-wrapped bucket seats. The rear bench has been removed, making room for a four-point safety cage and a full-size spare wheel. The rear side windows and the rear glass are also gone, for an open-air off-roading experience.
Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept
The second highlight of the year is the Overland version of the 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The full-size SUV has been converted into an adventurous camper, thanks to the massive roof-mounted carbon-fiber RedTail Overland Skyloft tent with integrated solar panels and windows, which can sleep two adults in a climate-controlled environment. The cabin has also been customized, with the removal of the second and third rows creating a cozy living room area featuring beanbags, pillows, and rugs, while the sunroof provides easy access to the top level.
The exterior features an Industrial Green shade with Gunmetal and red accents, a Warn winch, bumper-mounted laser lights, a set of 18-inch alloy wheels shod in 35-inch tires, fender extensions, and increased ground clearance. Under the bonnet lies the twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane engine producing 510 hp (380 kW / 517 PS) and 500 lb-ft (678 Nm) of torque, as in the production vehicle.
Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept
The third iteration of the fully electric Wrangler-based “Magneto” concept is more rugged-looking, off-road capable, and powerful compared to its predecessors. The new and more efficient electric powertrain produces 650 hp (478 kW / 659 PS) and a monstrous 900 lb-ft (1,220 Nm) of torque, although the driver can select a lower power mode with 285 hp (210 kW / 289 PS) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) to preserve energy.
The two-stage power regeneration allows one-pedal off-road driving, while the Dynatrac 60 and Dynatrac 80 axles, the 40-inch mud terrain tires, and the 3-inch (7.6 cm) lift kit ensure that this Wrangler is unstoppable – as long as the battery is charged. Speaking of range, Jeep announced a 20% improvement compared to the previous Magneto concepts without giving us specific numbers.
Read: 2024 Jeep Wagoneer EV And Recon Electric Off-Roader Revealed At Stellantis Dealer Event
Visually, the concept adopts a doorless single-cab soft-top pickup bodystyle with custom fenders. The thicker B-pillars have been pushed back by 60 mm (2.4 inches), and the 15 cm (6 inches) longer door openings allow easier access in the cabin. At the front, Jeep installed the new seven-slot grille, a transparent bonnet insert, and a more steeply raked windshield. The latest version of the Bright White and Surf Blue livery has red accents, with a similar theme for the leather-wrapped seats inside the cabin. The rear seats have been removed, creating an exposed Rhino-lined rear bed.
Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept
The Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept is a hommage to the 1981 Scrambler CJ-8 convertible truck. It adopts a doorless single-cab pickup design that is similar to the Magneto 3.0, but the custom Sublime green carbon fiber bodywork features a more sculpted profile, a different roof, and a better-integrated B-pillar, alongside custom bumpers and fender flares. The two-seater cabin features plaid blue inserts and green stitching on the upholstery.
More important changes are hiding under the bonnet, where the Scrambler concept hides the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 producing 470 hp (346 kW / 477 PS) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque as in the Wrangler Rubicon 392. However, in the concept, the V8 is visible through a tinted transparent insert on the bonnet. Furthermore, the vehicle rides on 20-inch rims shod in 40-inch tires, and features the AccuAir air suspension kit which increases the ground clearance up to 5.5 inches (14 cm).
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept
If you liked the pinkish Tuscadero shade that was available in the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, you’ll probably like the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe concept and its deeper “chromatic magenta color” with gloss black accents. The concept gets the new seven-slot grille from the 20th Anniversary model, a Warn Zeon winch, and a number of American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) parts. Those include the 17-inch Borah wheels shod in 37-inch tires, the off-road front and rear bumpers, plus differential covers.
Inside, the leather-upholstered seats have animal print inserts similar to the bonnet sticker, the dashboard is wrapped in leather, and splashes of magenta can be found all over the cabin. As suggested by the name, the concept is powered by the stock 4xe plug-in hybrid system.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept
Another Wrangler-based concept is the “Departure”, combining the five-door bodystyle with an open-air feeling and an array of JPP by Mopar accessories. The 20th Anniversary grille is hidden behind a custom tubular guard which folds down to transform into a “bumper bench”.
Other features include a Warn winch, flat fender flares with removable DRL covers, roof-mounted TYRI rectangular LED lights, rock sliders, tube doors, Molle panels for extra storage, and a rugged-looking tube gate at the back for the full-size spare wheel. The Dark Harbor exterior shade is also used for the dashboard, combined with Acorn Squash Nappa leather and Carnegie Hall brown Nappa leather upholstery, white Serafil stitching, and Vintage Bronze accents.
The Wrangler 4xe Departure rides on 17-inch Vintage Bronze KMC Impact OL wheels shod in 37-inch BFGoodrich tires, combined with Bilstein performance shock absorbers and a 2-inch (5 cm) lift kit. As its name suggests, it comes fitted with the stock 4xe powertrain.
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn Concept
Last but not least, the only Gladiator-based concept for this year is called the Sideburn. Unlike its counterparts it is not electrified, being powered by the usual 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. Like the Wrangler Departure concept, it gets Bilstein performance shock absorbers and a 2-inch (5 cm) lift kit, accentuated by the 17-inch HRE FT1 wheels shod in 37-inch BF Goodrich tires.
The exterior is painted in an eye-catching Solar Flash Yellow shade, contrasting with the matte-black finish for the roof, rear bed, fenders, bumpers, and accessories. Among those there is the tubular grille guard that doubles as a bench, a limb-riser for heavy-duty cables that can prevent potential damage to the front end from loose branches, removable TYRI rectangular LED lights mounted on the roof, and a bespoke setup for the rear bed. The cool-looking carbon-fiber Spotr bar can accommodate portable storage compartments and support the installation of roof cargo systems, while the bed itself integrates Molle panels, RotoPaX liquid containers, and a spare wheel.
Inside, the Gladiator Sideburn is bathed in a deep red-brown Vienesse Relicate Nappa leather upholstery Atomic Silver accents, a heavy-duty vinyl floor with drains, and a 3D topographical map of Moab on the matte-black dashboard.
Of course, none of the aforementioned builds is heading to production, as their goal is to showcase the “latest prototype and production parts”. However, many of the accessories are available through Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar, so Wrangler, Gladiator, and Grand Wagoneer owners can get some inspiration for their vehicles.
Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America, said: “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. 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.”
The seven concepts will tackle the 57th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, between April 1 and 9. You can check out a detailed presentation in the official video below.
