Jeep unveils six off-road concepts
Photo credit: JEEP
| Sponsored by |
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » |
Reprints
Print
Respond
- 2012 European Automakers: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Volkswagen
- 2012 Chrysler-Fiat Future Product
- 2012 Japanese Automakers: Infiniti, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Suzuki
- 2012 Ford Product Plans
- 2012 Korean and Chinese Automakers Future Product
- 2012 European Automakers: Aston Martin, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Smart, Volvo
- 2012 Japanese Automakers Product Plans: Acura, Honda, Lexus, Scion, Toyota
- 2012 GM Product Plans
DETROIT -- Chrysler Group today showed six off-road Jeep concepts -- including a modified Grand Cherokee likely to reach production -- that the automaker will take to the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.
Among the concepts: a Wrangler Rubicon fitted with a 6.4-liter Hemi engine and an homage to the Jeep Forward Control trucks from the 1950s and '60s.
In Moab, Jeep and Mopar engineers can put the vehicles through their paces and get feedback from an estimated 10,000 off-road enthusiasts at the gathering, scheduled this year for Saturday through April 8.
As part of this morning's announcement, the Mopar parts brand said that it would create an off-road division to develop specialized parts and accessories for Jeep vehicles. While Mopar traditionally has carried Jeep parts, development of many specialty items has been left to aftermarket companies.
The six concept vehicles are:
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
Jeep engineers fitted the Grand Cherokee with 18-inch Goodyear off-road tires on five-spoke alloy wheels, with modified Mopar rock rails to protect the SUV's white, gray and red color scheme. The vehicle also has styling changes to give the brand's most luxurious vehicle a more rugged off-road look.
Jeep officials said the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was being "strongly considered" for production this year.
Jeep Wrangler Traildozer
Working closely with longtime Jeep supplier American Expedition Vehicles, engineers outfitted a "dozer yellow" two-door Wrangler Rubicon with a 6.4-liter Hemi engine combined with a six-speed manual transmission. The 470-hp engine delivers power to 37-inch tires through Dana axles equipped with electronic locking differentials.
The Traildozer also received a 3.5-inch suspension lift, premium front and rear bumpers and a specialized hood for heat reduction. Inside, the concept was fitted with leather seat trim kits from American Expedition Vehicles and slush mats from Mopar.
Jeep J-12 Concept
The J-12 pickup lengthens the frame of the four-door Wrangler Unlimited by 18 inches, providing enough room to stow the spare tire below a full-sized six-foot bed.
Dubbed by Jeep engineers as the OMT, or Old Man's Truck, the J-12 is a throwback to the Jeep Gladiator pickups. The cabin has a bench seat trimmed in white and plaid and a compass mounted into the gear shift lever.
Mopar 2012 Wrangler
This Wrangler showcases Mopar optional equipment.
Along with traditional off-road equipment such as a two-inch lift kit, winch, rock rails and off-road bumpers, the vehicle introduces a prototype locking box in the center console and secured storage space in the rear of the vehicle.
2012 Wrangler Apache from Mopar
Mopar will introduce a V-8 conversion kit this summer for the Wrangler that will enable owners to combine the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 with the 2012 Wrangler's five-speed automatic transmission. The Apache showcases the new powertrain, which delivers about 470 pounds-feet of torque to the rear wheels.
The Apache uses a 4.5-inch long arm lift kit and off-road wheels to gain clearance for its Mopar axles. It also picks up the blue-on-black color scheme inside and out from Mopar's specialty vehicles.
Jeep Mighty FC Concept
By far the wildest concept shown, the Mighty FC pays homage to the front-heavy Forward Control trucks that the brand produced from 1955 to 1965. The concept repositions the two-seat cab of a Wrangler Rubicon over the front axles, and puts the engine behind the cab amid a raised eight-foot-long drop-side cargo box.
The Mighty FC's 40-inch tires ride on Mopar specialized portal axles, which add extra ground clearance without the need for excessive suspension lift. The available portal axles retail for $12,500 and $11,000, front and rear.
You can reach Larry P. Vellequette at lvellequette@crain.com.
