Jeep Unveils EV Wrangler, Other Concept Vehicles, At Easter Safari

Since 1967, the annual Easter Jeep Safari has been giving Jeep enthusiasts the chance to test their rigs against the rugged, breathtaking terrain of Moab, Utah. Hosted by the local Red Rock 4-Wheelers off-road club, the event consists of trail rides through Moab’s famous canyons and is on the bucket list for many drivers shopping at their local Jeep Wrangler dealer. Located just outside Arches National Park, this year, the distinctive red rock formations also served as a backdrop for the unveiling of four new Jeep concept vehicles.

The Jeep Wrangler Magneto EV, Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Red Bare, 1968 Jeepster Commando Beach, and Jeep Wrangler Orange Peelz all made their debut on Moab’s rocky soil. These concepts are intended less as production-ready models and more as a taste of what’s to come, gauging consumer interest in new features and innovations that will inform future offerings from Jeep.

The Magneto is perhaps the biggest statement piece of the four newly introduced concept vehicles. While the name might make it seem like an attempt at a lucrative crossover promotion with Marvel, it actually refers to the magnets that drive the fully electric motor. Jeep already offers a plug-in hybrid Wrangler, but for a brand traditionally associated with mountain-scaling 4x4s, the turn to the fully electric vehicle market is a sign of just how popular EVs have become.

While still just a concept, many expect Jeep to introduce an EV version of its popular Wrangler model in the near future, with the Magneto serving as an example of just what that might look like. Let’s take a closer look at the Magneto and try to glean just what the future may hold as Jeep throws its hat into the EV ring.

Proving Grounds For a New Breed Of Jeep

Translating the power and performance consumers have come to expect from Jeep into an EV is the logical next step for the brand, and Moab is the perfect place to show it off. “This is probably one of the most interesting vehicles we’ve ever worked on for the Safari,” says Mark Allen, head of Jeep design. The company hasn’t announced any plans for a public EV release, but Allen says the Magneto gives Jeep the chance to play around with the concept in real-world conditions while soliciting input from some of the brand’s most dedicated customers.

“The whole reason for doing this was just to see what does a battery-electric Jeep do in the offroad environment of Moab,” says Allen. “The Magneto is set to be kind of a testbed for us to answer those questions we have curiosities about.” The EV is powered by four battery packs – spread throughout the vehicle to enhance balance – that offer 70 kWh of juice to drive a 285-horsepower electric motor at 6,000 RPM. While that number might seem on the lower side for an EV, a unique design approach has allowed Jeep to squeeze all it can get out of those 6,000 RPMs.

The Magneto keeps not only the Rubicon’s Dana 44 axles and 4:1 transfer case but also its six-speed manual transmission. This allows the Magneto to shift between gears, which helps in preventing rev hang and allows drivers the flexibility to tackle off-road obstacles at lower speeds. “The reason we did that was we kind of get the best of both worlds of auto and manual transmission. Off-road I can do lots of gear selection with the manual transmission, including the low range, so I don’t have to worry about the clutch. I get the direct feel of a manual transmission off-road, but the ease and driveability of the automatic transmission,” Allen says.

The Magneto is out to prove that EVs don’t have to mean compromise. In fact, in certain areas, the vehicle shows the potential to outperform its gas-powered forerunners. The instant power inherent in electric motors holds big potential for the off-road market, where being able to react to obstacles quickly can mean the difference between a good outing and having to right a flipped 4×4 in the middle of nowhere. It’s also good for getting a little wind in your hair, with the Magneto achieving zero to 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds. “It’s got great torque delivery,” says Allen. “When the power and torque is delivered, it’s delivered early and down low before the vehicle revs up.”

Some Jeep purists might scoff at the EV approach, but Allen is quick to remind them that electric motors have always been a part of the Jeep legacy, “Usually when things go bad off-road, you rely on an electric winch to get you out of a bad situation,” he says. The Magneto is no expectation, featuring a Warn winch. The EV debuted in an appropriately futuristic Bright White and Surf Blue and also features a custom roll cage, 2-inch lift kit, 35-inch tires, a steel belly pan, and rock rails.

Jeep Concepts Offers Nostalgia, Power, and Customization

While perhaps not as game-changing as the Magneto, the other three concept cars unveiled at the Easter Jeep Safari each illustrate different ways in which Jeep is preparing for the future, from updating classic designs to showcasing engineering milestones and demonstrating potential customization options.

Some, like, the 1968 Jeepster Commando Beach, are niche mashups of Jeep’s greatest hits. In this case: a modern Wrangler Rubicon stuffed into the body of a late 1960s Jeepster Commando. The Rubicon’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine has been tweaked with the beach in mind, resulting in 25 percent more horsepower and torque than normal. The result is a sand-ready 4×4 with the sort of bold retro styling that wouldn’t look out of place on the cover of a Beach Boys album (although it does make one major concession to the modern era in the form of its “Hazy IPA” bronze color scheme).

Others, like the Jeep Gladiator Red Bare, are designed to showcase particular traits, like the low-end power of Jeep’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Created with the trail in mind, the Gladiator Red Bare’s ability to perform low-rpm shifts, its 91:1 crawl ratio, 37-inch tires, and 2-inch lift kit provide the power and clearance necessary to tackle even the steepest grades.

The Jeep Wrangler Orange Peelz is a DIY-ers dream and ripe for customization. Instead of focusing on improvements under the hood, the Wrangler Orange Peelz is a lesson in what a strong imagination and a parts catalog can accomplish. The concept vehicle is kitted out with custom parts from Mopar – some already on the market and others still in the concept stage themselves – and include steel fenders, modified rock rails, a new sunroof-equipped removable hardtop, and half-doors. If there was one add-on that will most intrigue hardcore off-roaders, it’s the newly introduced Gorilla Glass windshield from Mopar. Famously used in smartphones to reduce cracking and chipping, the rugged glass is a godsend for those whose idea of a good drive includes kicking up plenty of gravel.

With the Easter Jeep Safari in the books for 2021, Jeep engineers will be eager to dust themselves off and figure out just how to integrate some of the most promising new features into forthcoming production vehicles. Between new styling concepts and accessories to entirely new ways to power their products, there is no shortage of options to consider as the legendary 4×4 manufacturer looks toward the future.

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