Staying true to tradition, Jeep has traveled to this year’s edition of the Moab Easter Jeep Safari to introduce no less than seven brand new concepts.
The most eye-catching concept is arguably the Chief, a Wrangler-based four-door SUV designed as a homage to the original full-size Cherokee that was introduced all the way back in 1974, when Jeep was still part of American Motors Corporation. The Chief features a number of retro-inspired styling cues including a chromed multi-slat radiator grille flanked by round headlights, 17-inch slotted mag alloy wheels and vertical tail lamps.
The retro theme continues inside, where the Chief is fitted with colorful Hawaiian-themed pink, blue and white cloth upholstery on the seats and real wood trim on the dashboard.
Also based on the Wrangler, the Staff Car concept is openly inspired by the original Jeep Willys that was used by American soldiers during the Second World War. The Staff Car boasts cut-out B-pillars, a shovel and an axe installed on the driver’s side rocker panel, an over-sized radio antenna and beige steel wheels tucked away under thin concept-specific fender flares. A beige canopy top wraps up the period-correct look.
Powered by a potent 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine, the Wrangler Africa concept can best be described as Jeep’s long-overdue answer to the soon-defunct Land Rover Defender 110. It stretches noticeably longer than a standard Wrangler Unlimited, allowing it to easily carry five adults and all of the gear needed for a safari. Interestingly, Jeep has relocated the Wrangler Africa’s spare tire to under the body, presumably in a bid to keep the off-roader’s length in check.
As its name clearly implies, the Wrangler Red Rock Responder is a first-response vehicle capable of boldly tackling virtually any terrain on Earth thanks to a sizable lift kit and a set of bead lock wheels. Paramedics can store tools and essential life-saving supplies in the large cargo boxes that are integrated into the bed on either side of the truck.
The Grand Cherokee Overlander concept provides outdoors enthusiasts with a home away from home that takes the form of a roof-mounted two-person hard-shell tent. It uses the stock Grand Cherokee’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel mill, but it stands out from its regular-production counterpart thanks to a concept-specific front fascia equipped with yellow headlights and a rugged-looking bumper with an integrated winch.
- 1. Jeep Staff Car Concept Interior
- 2. Red Rock Responder Concept
Finally, the Renegade Desert Hawk and the Cherokee Canyon Trail essentially serve as rolling displays for Mopar’s catalog of performance parts. Each crossover is decked out with components from the Mopar catalog including skid plates, miscellaneous decals, roof racks and all-weather floor mats.
Jeep has not indicated what the future holds for the seven concepts. However, very few – if any – of the concepts shown at previous editions of the Moab Easter Safari have lived to see the light that awaits at the end of a production line.
