Mopar Concept 4x4s at 58th Annual Easter Jeep Safari
The Jeep Brand is making its annual trek to the 58th annual Easter Jeep Safari, March 23-31, 2024, in Moab, Utah, with four new eye-catching and mission-capable concept vehicles.
“Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, is the perfect venue for new Jeep concepts, with more than 20,000 Jeep enthusiasts gathering each year to celebrate the most iconic 4×4 brand in the world,” said Bill Peffer, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. “From 4xe electrification to unmatched 392 power, this year’s Jeep 4×4 concepts illustrate how the most capable Wrangler ever appeals to such a wide range of people.”
Four distinctive Jeep brand and JPP concept vehicles are equipped with an array of proven propulsion systems. The Jeep Wrangler Low Down concept, a tip of the hat to the Lower 40 concept from 2009, features the 392 V-8 engine. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys Dispatcher concept marries the advanced 4xe plug-in hybrid propulsion system with a throwback design theme that honors early post-war civilian Jeep SUVs. Two JPP concepts, the Jeep Gladiator-based High Top concept and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer-based Vacationeer concept, both feature six-cylinder power, a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and a Hurricane Twin Turbo 510, respectively.
“Our extended Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar team can’t wait to get back to Moab for the 58th annual Easter Jeep Safari,” said Mike Koval, North America senior vice president, Mopar service, parts and customer care. “We look forward to unveiling a new set of concept vehicles that feature our latest custom and factory-tested and factory-backed production parts and accessories that allow us to tackle some of the toughest trails in the world.”
The 2024 Easter Jeep Safari concept vehicles include:
Jeep® Low Down Concept
Fifteen years ago, the Jeep design team wowed attendees at the 43rd annual Easter Jeep Safari with the radically modified Jeep Wrangler Lower 40. Rolling at stock ride height to maintain its center of gravity, the two-door Lower 40 accommodated huge 40-inch mud-terrain tires while packing a 5.7-liter V-8 under hood for prodigious power. An instant classic, the Lower 40 still draws a crowd a decade and a half later and remains one of the fan favorites of all EJS concepts.
The new Low Down concept pays homage to the Lower 40, in which by some creative clearance work, this new Jeep Wrangler concept squeezes massive 42-inch BFGoodrich Krawler 42×14.5R20 mud-terrain tires mounted on 20-inch beadlock wheels under its custom high-clearance carbon fender flares. The stock Wrangler Rubicon 392 suspension remains intact, but Dana 60 axles with 5.38 gears replace the standard Dana 44 axles with 4:10 gears. Between the diameter of the tires and the shortening of the front and rear bumpers, the Low Down’s center of gravity remains low, while the ground clearance, breakover, and approach and departure angles all get dramatic increases.
The body, coated in deep Poison Apple Red paint, is streamlined via removal of the rear door handles, a custom carbon hood with see-through power dome and a bespoke race-style fuel filler door located in the driver-side rear quarter panel. The interior features custom black leather seats with cloth inserts, Rhino-lined floors and a custom radio-delete instrument panel. A purpose-built, red-tinted bikini top casts a warm red glow upon the interior compartment.
Like its Lower 40 predecessor, the Jeep Low Down is powered by a V-8 engine, though in this modern interpretation, that translates to the formidable 475-horsepower 6.4-liter 392 V-8 engine, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic.
