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For Jeepers, this is the best time of the year. Spring has arrived, and so has the Easter Jeep Safari (EJS). And with EJS comes this year’s crop of incredible concepts and product previews from Jeep. Every year, the brand manages to outdo itself, and this year is no different.
EJS is a week-long celebration of all things Jeep. Held since 1963, more than 20,000 people attended the event last year. It’s not an official Jeep brand event, but the company makes the trek to Moab along with its fans each year to celebrate the community.
This year, Jeep is bringing seven new concept vehicles to EJS — five that are like no Jeep on the road and two that hint at OEM upgrades that are likely to come to market soon.
2023 EJS Jeep Concepts
Now, let’s dive right into the 2023 EJS Jeep concepts.
Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept
This is Jeep’s third kick at the all-electric concept Wrangler can. Magneto 3.0 is also the last Magneto, Jeep said. Because by next year, there will be a production electric Jeep, the Recon. And Jeep’s head of design Mark Allen said that the company will be having a go at modifying that one as soon as possible.
Magneto 3.0 still has plenty of cool upgrades. Starting with a 2-door Wrangler Rubicon, Jeep cut the roof and stretched the door openings. The front door opening is now six inches longer, and the cool new B-pillar was pushed more than two inches rearward to fit the roll bar.
The custom-built electric motor has two settings. Mild, with 285 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, and Maximum, that boots power to 650 horses and torque to 900 pound-feet. That torque figure is 50 higher than last year, and the power is still multiplied by a 6-speed manual gearbox taken from a Dodge Hellcat and then beefed up even more.
Seventy kilowatt-hours of battery are scattered in four packs around the EV. This year’s software updates give it 20 percent more range, though Jeep says this isn’t a range and charge speed exercise. It’s about using electricity to make a better off-road Jeep.
Dynatrac 60 front and 80 rear axles are fitted with 5.38:1 gearing. This year Jeep has added a new one-pedal “aggressive hill descent mode” to take full advantage of what the electric driveline can offer.
The electric motor turns 40-inch mud-terrain tires on 20-inch beadlock wheels. Magneto 3.0 has a custom 3-inch lift to make those meaty tires fit.
Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept
Jeep has built lightweight concepts for Easter Jeep Safari before. Concepts like Pork Chop, Stitch, and 4-Speed trimmed as much as half a ton from the Jeeps they were based on.
Scrambler 392 started as a 4-door Wrangler Rubicon 392 but was transformed into a 2-door. Jeep designers fitted rear bodywork from a Gladiator for a long-bed 2-door look. Then they laid back the windshield and lowered the roof, giving the rear all-new bodywork.
Under the paint, much of that bodywork is carbon fiber. The side blades, roof, and door openings are all made from the composite. The same goes for the front fenders and the hood. That helps Jeep cut 450 pounds from the Scrambler 392 concept, helping it get up and over rocks and other obstacles.
The new fenders and lightweight bumpers help the 40-inch tires fit in the arches. The 20-inch wheels and the tow hooks are painted in Brass Monkey, just like a standard Wrangler 392.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept
When Jeep launched Tuscadero Pink in 2021, it expected around 3,000 orders. Turns out that Jeep really underestimated its customer base. The company had to extend pink production by a month and still couldn’t meet all of the demand.
Instead of another year of Tuscadero, Jeep is bringing a new pink to market. The chromatic magenta hue doesn’t have a name just yet, and it will still change a bit before production, but this Jeep is meant to get feedback on the brand’s next production pink. Let them know how you feel.
The other show-off on this Jeep is the new AccuAir air suspension kit. The kit, which is also on the Scrambler 392, can lift the Jeep from 1.5 to 5.5 inches on demand. Pop it up to get through deep water or over a tough rock, or drop it to duck under overhangs. Or lower it so it’s easier to get in and out.
Other small changes include a 20th Anniversary grille and custom graphics. It wears 37-inch tires on wheels from AEV, as well as front and rear bumpers from the off-road accessory company.
1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept
Jeep builds resto-mod concepts to try and inspire enthusiasts. The Cherokee 4xe is a 1978 Jeep Cherokee SJ that the company found on Craigslist for $2,500. It had a rough body and no engine, but Jeep didn’t want that old AMC mill anyway. Sorry, Jeep purists.
The Cherokee body was dropped on the chassis of a 2022 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe. That took some bodywork, like altering the wheel arches. Jeep’s designers and engineers added a ton of resto-mod-style upgrades, too, with plenty of new sheet metal. The front bumper is from a Wrangler Rubicon, and the rear is from a Gladiator.
Jeep’s intent was a modern take on the “Good Vibes” campaign Dodge ran in the 1970s, and it is right on the mark.
The rear of the Cherokee is stripped, and it has a graffiti-look ceiling. The glass is all gone to give it an open-air feel. The seats are wonderfully ’70s, there is a gas cap from an AMC Gremlin, and the dashboard is home to an 8-track player. Which, unfortunately, isn’t hooked up.
Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept
The first Easter Jeep Concept based on the new Grand Wagoneer is a bit of an overlanding condo.
Jeep’s team got hold of a RedTail Overland Skyloft hard-sided rooftop tent. Though, calling it a tent is an understatement.
The carbon fiber Skyloft is weatherproof and is heated. It has dual pane windows, an integrated diesel heater, and up to 380 watts of solar power. This level of fancy camping is just perfect for the Grand Wagoneer.
Jeep pulled out the second- and third-row seats. Then they removed the rear sunroof to make a sort of escape hatch. You can climb up through that hatch to get into the Skyloft.
The space where the seats were is now a lounge. It still has the Grand Wagoneer’s rear seat entertainment system. It also has two big beanbag chairs, a plush throw rug, and ambient lighting. It’s nicer (and larger) than my first three apartments.
Widened wheel openings and new flares help fit 35-inch tires on custom wheels. The larger tires raise the ride height an inch and a half. The Grand Wagoneer has a black Rhino-lined roof, and the body is painted in an industrial green.
Oh yeah, and the Grand Wagoneer has frickin’ laser beams! Jeep fitted laser-powered off-road lamps in the tweaked front bumper to light up the night.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept
Departure is the first of the two concepts that promote parts Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) might build. The Departure gets a cool new tubular spare tire mount that can flip. Turn the spare into the trunk for a better departure angle, and turn it out for more cargo space. Whichever you need.
The Departure concept also gets a new tubular grille guard. The guard quickly folds down to give you a four-foot bench seat for relaxing on the trail.
Windshield header-mount off-road lights fold upward on custom brackets. So they’ll still work with the window folded forward. There are rock lights at all four corners, JPP hard MOLLE panels in the roll bar, and new flat fender flares that hold bigger tires while staying street-legal for lighting requirements.
This one also has a Jeep Performance Parts 2.0-inch lift with Bilstein remote reservoir shocks. The 17-inch wheels wear 37-inch tires.
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn Concept
Last but not least is the Sideburn concept. It gets the same 2.0-inch lift and shocks as Departure. It also has a folding grille guard bench and Warn winch.
Sideburn’s coolest bits are at the back. The sport bar is actually a two-tier cargo shelf. It’s made from carbon fiber and steel and has integrated steps to let you get to your stored gear. Eight tie-down loops let you lock in cargo totes.
The box sides are also super cool. Built-in MOLLE panels above and behind the arches give you more secure storage. There are integrated RotoPaX containers, too, letting you store liquids on the outside of the box. Other JPP bits include a heavy-duty vinyl floor system, side steps, grab handles, and half doors.
2023 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts
Jeep will bring all of the concepts to the trail at the 57th Annual Easter Jeep Safari on April 1-9. We’ll even get to drive them, so you can expect our up-close and personal take with more details and interior shots on these seven sweet rides very soon.