Jeep Explores Retro Designs, Lightweight Tech at 59th Annual Easter Jeep Safari

Every year, Jeep’s designers and engineers are given an Easter treat. They’re allowed to let their imaginations run wild with a handful of concept vehicles for the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. This year, the brand has revealed seven wild concepts, all based on the Wrangler or the Gladiator that explore the automaker’s latest technology and look back on the brand's history.

Jeep Convoy Concept

It wouldn’t be a Jeep event if the brand wasn’t reminding you of its military background. This year, though, the brand chose not to highlight its WWII origins, instead looking back to the original 1963 Gladiator SJ — whose influence you can see in the distinctive “J-truck nose.” To that, military-inspired markings are added to the hood, and fabric doors (which match the fabric roof that covers the truck bed) give the concept truck a distinct outdoorsy quality. Jeep’s designers say that the truck’s military design isn’t inspired by any particular model, nor are they necessarily all inspired by terrestrial transport. The "go-away" green interior, for instance, was inspired by warplanes, whose cockpits were previously painted all one colour (often green) to help pilots focus on important information, like their dials.

Jeep Bug Out 4xe Concept

The concept of reduction in service of focus continues with the Bug Out Concept. Inspired by ultralight camping, in which weight management is key, the Bug Out explores this idea with lightweight, hollowed pillars, ultralight wheels, and the removal of the rear doors. It will even shrink your packing list because drivers don’t need a tent. Instead, the Bug Out concept comes with a hammock that can be hooked to the B and C pillars.

Jeep Rewind Concept

Jeep is also looking back at the wild aesthetic of the ‘90s with the Wrangler two-door Rewind Concept. Some of our readers might be reminded of one ‘90s brand in particular when they look at this show vehicle, since the purple and red colour scheme is reminiscent of the vintage Toronto Raptors uniform. Inspiration comes from all over for this concept, as the design team said that the phone dial wheels were inspired by the Lamborghini posters they had on their walls as children. The designers (Millennials who freely admit they were realizing a fantasy with this concept) didn't just stop at the standard automotive equipment, they really went deep, adding a car phone, an Alf-branded car freshener, and a CD player (with anti-skip technology, they were clear to add). 

Jeep Wrangler 4xe Blueprint Concept

As with most concept vehicles, the above models are largely aspirational, showing off what designers envision for the future of the brand. But the Easter Jeep Safari is also great place to show existing owners what they can do with their vehicles through the Mopar accessories catalogue. Indeed, the following four concepts were designed by Mopar, starting with the Blueprint Concept, every one of whose Mopar accessories has been painted blue to highlight the degree to which buyers can customize their Wrangler. It benefits from a two-inch lift kit, high-top fenders, steel bumpers, a Warn winch, rock rails, 37-inch all-terrain tires, three different wheel styles, tube doors, and a snorkel kit. And that’s just on the outside of the vehicle. Inside, it gets Katzkin leather seat covers, a multi-accessory rail, an auxiliary switch bank, door sill guards, bright pedals, grab handles, all-weather floor mats, and a tailgate table.

Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon Sunchaser Concept

Mopar wanted to prove that it can make concepts that focus more on aesthetics rather than on highlighting its gear with the Sunchaser Concept. Based on a Wrangler 4xe Rubicon, it gets a two-tone solar flash and satin black paint scheme, a two-inch lift, 37-inch tires, a roof storage rack, a lightbar, and a warn winch. It also gets concept vented high-top steel fenders and a concept side storage bin over the rear window that could someday make it into production.

Jeep Gladiator High Top Honcho Concept

Not even Mopar is immune to the appeal of a retro concept (or two) with the ‘70s-inspired Gladiator High Top Honcho Concept. It gets heritage graphics, painted steel wheels wrapped in 40-inch all-terrain tires, Dana 60 front and rear axles, adjustable air suspension, a front bumper with an American Expedition Vehicles protective hoop, a Decked truck bed storage system, a bed roll bar, and custom quilted, perforated tan and black leather seats inside.

Jeep J6 Honcho Concept

Finally, the J6 Honcho Concept takes the High Top Honcho recipe and applies it to a smaller package. Based on a four-door Wrangler whose rear end was modified to create two-door pickup body, it also gets a two-inch lift, bronze 17-inch wheels wrapped in 37-inch mud terrain tires, a custom spare tire carrier, a custom roll bar with lighting, a winch, rock rails, and vintage-inspired badging. It, too, benefits from concept Mopar accessories, namely the flat steel fender flares.

While these vehicles are all highly conceptual, the Easter Jeep Safari is a particularly interesting demonstration to watch. The brand has a habit of previewing new paint colours at the event, but previous iterations of this event were also its first opportunity to show new products like the Gladiator, new engines like the 392 Hemi, and new accessories like the bead lock capable wheels, the half doors, and the flared fenders that have all gone on to be sold to the public.