Things are looking up for fans of the concept vehicles Jeep brings to the annual Easter Jeep Safari held in Moab, Utah.
The Jeep brand released some sketches of the concept vehicles that will be coming soon. Although last year’s event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event is still a go, according to the company.
In order to generate some excitement, the company released two renderings that hint at what’s going to be heading west to delight and amaze Jeep enthusiasts. The brand didn’t offer much in the way of insight about what type of vehicle’s it’s working on, it did say that “off-road capability, unbridled fun, open-air freedom and electric powertrains will take center stage” at this year’s event.
Four new concepts
Jeep spokeswoman Amy Grundman told TheDetroitBureau that more information will be released closer to the event. However, looking at the earlier statement, it seems safe to suggest that some variant of the Wrangler 4xe will be on hand.
Additionally, the one of the renderings has the word “Magneto” on the hood, which could also suggest some form of super rock-crawling electric 4×4. In the past, Jeep engineers and designers has said an electric Wrangler would be ideal because of the instant torque the motors provide as well as their quiet operation would allow for better enjoyment of the outdoors.
The other rendering is of an orange Wrangler or Gladiator featuring a winch housed behind a brush guard on the grille and large black beadlock wheels on big knobby tires. It’s reminiscent of the Jeep Wrangler MOJO concept the company showed in 2014. It looks like its ready for anything, including deep sand.
Mopar connection
The concept vehicles are custom-built vehicles that use Mopar parts, Grundman said. They are built specifically to handle trails and terrain in Moab, Utah. The event this year takes place March 27–April 4. It offers the aftermarket team a chance to show off its newest accessories.
Tim Kuniskis, then head of Jeep Brand, said at the last debut of the concepts in 2019, “Moab Easter Jeep Safari provides the perfect venue to interact with and gather feedback from our most loyal and passionate customers – the diehard off-road enthusiasts who attend the event each year.”
The annual event is a series of daylong trail rides that lasts nine days, ending Easter Sunday – hence its name. Participants provide their own four-wheel vehicle, food, and fuel. The event got its start in 1967, when the Moab Chamber of Commerce organized the event to help attract new visitors to the Moab area.
The brand has been sending concept vehicles to the Moab event for years and traditionally, before the actual event Jeep releases sketches of the concept vehicles that the brand presents at the safari.