Ask any fashion designer what makes an outfit, and they’ll say the same thing: accessories. And so it goes with SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association’s annual blowout, where automakers drape their hottest rides with even hotter aftermarket equipment.
The event will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, from Nov. 2-5.
“With its dedicated enthusiast audience, SEMA is the best place to showcase our full catalog of quality-tested, factory-backed performance parts and accessories,” said Mark Bosanac, North America vice president, Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care, in a statement. “These seven new custom vehicles demonstrate the passion, creativity and innovation of the Mopar team.”
No doubt. Stellantis offered up a tease earlier this month, but we get to see just what has the Mopar team wrought. Let’s take a look.
Jeep Wrangler Overlook concept
With a roofline resembling an old Range Rover, the Jeep Wrangler Overlook didn’t — ahem — overlook its competition, at least when it comes to old school, off-road style. This is basically a four-door Wrangler Sahara that’s been stretched an additional 12 inches and a custom modular roofline that adds 5 inches in height to make room for a third row of seats.
Up front, occupants get a removable one-piece top with flip-up glass sunroof panel. As you’d expect, this Jeep gets a two-inch lift kit with Fox shocks, 20-inch wheels mounted on 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires. Black JPP tubular side steps are a rugged touch, as is the oversized rear tire carrier, modified rear bumper and custom black Mopar hood latches that feature the Jeep Willys logo. Inside, black leather with bronze stitching lend to a distinctive look. Could this possibly be a future Wrangler derivative?
Jeep Wrangler 4xe concept
This plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a rolling showcase for Jeep Performance Parts. Its JPP 2-inch lift kit with Ford shocks is tuned for the Wrangler 4xe, and wears Beadlock Rings mounted with BFGoodrich KM3 37-inch tires. Custom underbody rock lights, a Warn winch, JPP Gorilla Glass windshield, JPP 5-inch, off-road, LED A-pillar lights, and ivory pearl paint complete the exterior makeover. A custom JPP instrument panel rail securely holds mobile devices, while the tailgate features multi-position cargo loops to secure cargo.
Kaiser Jeep M725 concept
This is what happens when you hand over a 1967 Kaiser Jeep M725 military ambulance to Jeep designers; they transform it into an off-road support vehicle. The cargo area’s roof panel can rise 16 inches, enough for occupants to stand while retrieving supplies or serving food through the driver’s side cargo panel.
Of course, there’s LED lighting front and rear, and underbody protection. The original frame is reinforced, and a heavy-duty link/coil suspension replace the leaf springs originally used. Motivating the Kaiser is a Mopar 392 Crate Hemi V-8 engine and vintage TorqueFlite 727 automatic transmission produce 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. Inside, low-back Jeep Wrangler seats, modern gauges, a backup camera display and a center console crafted from a repurposed ammunition box set the mood.
Ram 1500 Outdoorsman concept
Reviving a name fist used a decade ago as a Ram trim package, Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4×4 with a custom paint job and fits it with a aluminum Mopar bed rack system. the truck bed gets an Expertec bed-slide system with dual rolling panels — rated at 2,000 pounds each — for easy loading and unloading.
There are also bed rails, a RamBox cargo management system. And it’s got the requisite Mopar 2-inch lift kit with Fox shocks and 20-by-9-inch wheels with 35-inch Continental tires. Inside, cloth seats with leather bolsters, are the perfect perch for using the deployable work surface that provides 12-by-14 inches of workspace. There’s even an on-board vacuum to clean up spilled beer nuts or any other messes.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Breckenridge concept
Boasting a two-tone paint scheme, five-spoke Mopar 21-inch gloss black wheels, Thule cargo box and a grille with satin bronze accents, this concept seems like a forthcoming trim package, or an easy aftermarket mod. Inside, the Grand Cherokee L’s blue leather interior receives walnut and bronze trim, stainless-steel pedal covers, custom Jeep-Olivet hard-shell luggage and a set of comfort pillows.
Ram 1500 TRX RexRunner concept
Take a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX and a drape it in Mopar parts, special paint and graphics, and this is what results. Some of the goodies added include a RamBar accessory bar with LED lighting, a fully integrated, bed-mounted spare-tire carrier, custom metal skid plates that increase the approach angle by 2.3 degrees, and a pair of 5-inch black Mopar exhaust tips. A supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 engine, rated at 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, resides under the hood.
Dodge Challenger Holy Guacamole concept
Designers took a 2020 limited-production Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody 50th Anniversary Edition and added a staggered 20-inch Forgeline wheels and a Mopar coil-over suspension lowering kit.
And, in case you didn’t notice, they painted it “Rotten Avocado” a name given the custom color by Dodge designers. A gold Shaker hood scoop and tone-on-tone side striping add to its vintage allure.
Under the hood resides a Mopar cold-air intake, conical air filter and air box that improves the 392 cubic-inch Hemi V-8 engine’s performance. Open the doors and you’ll find green and yellow plaid door and seat trim, along with wood paneling. What you won’t find, is an 8-track player, however.