Jeep debuts seven off-road concepts for 50th Easter Jeep Safari, including a 707 hp V8 Wrangler

With the 50th Easter Jeep Safari looming, the company has unveiled seven concepts that feature a range of Mopar and Jeep Performance parts. The annual event will take place from March 19 to 27 in Moab, Utah and coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Jeep brand.

First up, is the tough-looking Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept. Based on the Wrangler Unlimited, it’s a salute to legendary Jeep military service vehicles, in particular – the Kaiser M715. It’s powered by a 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 mill and mated to a five-speed automatic. The open-air concept in a “tactical green” colour, gets a new face inspired by the M715, along with steel front and rear bumpers.

Apart from that, it’s fitted with off-road rock rails, a five-foot cargo bed, winches on the front and rear, Dana 60 front and rear axles, a four-inch lift kit with Jeep Performance Parts/Fox 2.0 Remote Reservoir shocks and 20-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in 40-inch NDT military tyres. Inside, there are bucket seats, aircraft-inspired switches and Mopar all-weather mats.

It’s followed by the Jeep Trailstorm concept, also based on the Wrangler Unlimited. It’s described as the “ultimate Jeep Wrangler for exploring off the beaten path.” Exterior enhancements include a satin black grille, LED headlamps and fog lamps, high top fenders, power-dome vented hood, a concept fast-back soft top, tail light guards and a Mopar fuel filler door.

Meanwhile, it also gets a steel front bumper and a Rubicon rear bumper, and it’s wrapped in camouflage that blends into the surroundings of the Utah desert. Sitting on 17-inch concept off-road wheels shod in 37-inch tyres, it comes with a two-inch lift kit and Jeep Performance Parts/Fox shocks. Inside, it has Katzkin seat covers and all-weather mats.

Next, is the Jeep Shortcut – a different take on the CJ-5. Based on a three-door Wrangler, the concept’s body length has been reduced further by 26 inches (660 mm). It features a unique grille, hood, tailgate, along with front and wheel flares and custom chrome bumpers. It’s also fitted with 17-inch red steel wheels wrapped in 35-inch BF Goodrich MT tyres, while a two-inch lift kit with Fox shocks is present.

On the inside, there are low-back leather bucket seats with plaid inserts, a red ball shifter handle, four-point safety cage and all-weather mats. The Shortcut is also powered by the 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 engine and mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

The Jeep Renegade Commander concept, features a “flourescent grey” exterior, custom body decal, skid plates and an open-air roof with removable panels. Mopar’s trailer hitch receiver and front and rear auxiliary lights are present as well. Complementing the two-inch lift kit, is a set of 17-inch Rubicon aluminium wheels wrapped in 29.5-inch tyres.

Interior-wise the Renegade Commander has Katzkin seat covers, body-coloured bezel accents, a pedal kit, Mopar off-road kit and all-weather mats. It’s motivated by a 2.4 litre Tigershark engine with MultiAir2 and paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive Low.

As for the Jeep Comanche concept, the Renegade’s wheelbase has been stretched by six inches (152 mm) to accommodate the longer five-foot bed. It comes with a “beige against the machine,” exterior colour, a satin black hood, a concept lower front fascia, steel rear bumper, a soft top, while a spare tyre lies in the long bed.

Additionally, it has a two-inch lift kit too, sitting on 16-inch painted wheels shod in 32-inch BFGoodrich AT tyres. Inside, there are custom seat covers and pedal covers and door sill guards. The Comanche is powered by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder diesel engine, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

For the more power-crazy enthusiasts, the Jeep Trailcat concept will please. Underneath the hood sits a 707-hp supercharged 6.2 litre V8 Hemi Hellcat engine that’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Wrangler-based Trailcat’s wheelbase has been stretched by 12 inches, while the windshield, shortened by two-inches. It sits on 17-inch deadlock wheels shod in 39.5-inch tyres.

Outside, it comes with a steel front and rear bumpers, a satin black grille, power-dome vented hood, LED headlamps and fog lamps and a “Trailcat” decal at the side of the hood. Inside, it’s fitted with the Dodge Viper’s carbon-fibre bucket seats and Katzkin leather seat covers with accent stitching.

Last but not least is a 1960 Jeep FC 150 concept, that’s described as a “true American workhorse.” Based on the CJ-5, the overall length has been reduced for manoeuvrability however, it still maintains a full-length cargo box. Underpinning it is a 2005 Jeep Wrangler chassis that has been modified. It sits on 17-inch white steel wheels with 33-inch MT tyres.

The interior has been updated of course, with vinyl seat covers, a custom headliner wrapped in a vintage “duck hunting” pattern, CB radio, analogue compass and all-weather mats. It sports a 4.0 litre PowerTech inline-six engine that’s mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.

GALLERY: Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept