This year’s Easter Jeep Safari concepts are a pretty diverse bunch—though all based on the Wrangler/Gladiator body.
The Magneto concept is battery-powered, with an axial flux electric motor running up to 6,000 rpm, connected to a six-speed manual transmission. That’s right, a manual transmission electric—something for the rest of us. Its power is about the same as the Pentastar V6, with 273 pound-feet of torque and 285 horsepower; it was calibrated to act like the V6, too.
The concept runs from 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, faster than the real V6 if slower than the latest 2-liter 4xe. 70 kWh of batteries run at 800 volts, distributed around the vehicle to help with balance. The Wrangler still has a 30-inch water-traversing capacity and dual 12V batteries—one for the radio, lighting, and such, and another for accessories such as the winch, with a DC to DC converter to charge both. A high voltage heater is included, along with a JPP lift kit, black wheels, 35-inch mud-terrain tires, and other Mopar parts.
The rest-mod is an updated Jeepster Commando—the first compact four-wheel-drive vehicle with an automatic transmission; it had convenience features such as doors, roll-up side glass, heater, and roof standard, rather than options. This 1968 Jeepster Commando was merged into the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and set up as a beach-themed cruiser.
The body was modified and the exterior fuses original chrome trim with brightly colored two-tone paint (Hazy IPA and Zinc Oxide). Under the hood is the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a custom calibration that increases output by around a quarter, hitting 340 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s rounded off by the usual eight-speed automatic and 4:1 transfer case, with 35-inch tires. The direct-injection engine uses a twin-scroll, low-inertia turbocharger mounted directly to the cylinder head, along with a dedicated cooling circuit for the turbocharger, intake air, and throttle body.
The Jeep Red Bare Gladiator Rubicon uses the diesel V6 (260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque) with an eight-speed automatic; the concept also has 4.88 axles with a 91:1 crawl ratio. The interior has Katzkin black leather seats with red flannel inserts. JPP gear includes a two-inch lift kit, 17-inch wheels, 37-inch tires, rock rails, bed cover and rack system, and front bumper grille guard.
Orange Peelz has the side and rear windows replaced by prototype JPP half doors and a custom removable one-piece Freedom Top glass sunroof. A JPP two-inch lift kit is couped with 17-inch wheels and 37-inch tires. The hood is a concept piece with the Willys logo and JPP off-road lights. The factory-backed Mopar windshield was made with Corning Gorilla Glass for chip/crack avoidance. The JPP Swing Gate Hinge Reinforcement allows for a larger spare tire. The reinforcement is powder-coated black and works with the production hinge for easy installation. A JPP CHMSL (Center High-Mount Stop Lamp) Relocation Kit mounts the third brake light in the center of the spare tire. The concept has a stock V6 power system with a JPP cold-air intake and JPP cat-back exhaust system.

David Zatz started what was to become the world’s biggest, most comprehensive Mopar site in 1994 as he pursued a career in organizational research and change. After a chemo-induced break, during which he wrote car books covering Vipers, minivans, and Jeeps, he returned with Patrick Rall to create StellPower.com for daily news, and to set up MoTales for mo’ tales.
David Zatz has around 30 years of experience in covering Chrysler/Mopar news and history, and most recently wrote Century of Chrysler, a 100-year retrospective on the Chrysler marque.
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