by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
A little bit of red, a little bit of electrification and a whole lot of orange will be headed out to the southeastern Utah desert in the coming weeks as Jeep Monday released its 2021 Easter Jeep Safari concept vehicle lineup.
And in the process, perhaps the brand also gave a subtle roadmap to its future production plans.
Four all new concepts headline this year’s crop — an all-electric Wrangler dubbed Magneto, a diesel powered Gladiator named Red Bare, a retro Jeepster Commando and a V6 powered two-door Wrangler called Orange Peelz that shows off Mopar’s new JL half doors.
“The Moab Easter Jeep Safari has long been our testing ground for both our newest Jeep 4x4s and for showcasing new Jeep brand concepts, Jeep Performance Parts and ideas that truly resonate with our most passionate customers — the die-hard off-road enthusiasts who attend this event every year,” said Jim Morrison, Jeep’s Vice President for North America. “This year’s Safari shines a spotlight on what makes Jeep vehicles unmistakably distinctive and undeniably capable, a variety of powertrains that deliver superior power, performance, torque and, above all, fun.
”Moab’s demanding trails are a worthy opponent for our Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator concept vehicles. Each is certain to prove that Jeep’s legendary 4×4 capability reigns supreme on any terrain.”
In all, Jeep is taking seven vehicles to Moab, Utah to display during this year’s EJS from March 27 to April 4. Besides those four new concepts, the brand will roll out two concepts from last year — Farout and Top Dog — while also bringing along the now-in-production Wrangler 392. Last year’s EJS was canceled because of COVID, so Jeep instead released those three vehicles via its social platforms during the year.
Magneto
The all-electric Magneto Wrangler was somewhat teased earlier this year and will likely follow the path that 392 blazed from concept to production. This first-ever entirely electrified Wrangler is based off a 2020 Wrangler two-door Rubicon and its powerplant is mated with a six-speed manual transmission, while its custom white and blue color scheme throughout is supposed to hint at the electric powertrain.
Jeep says it chose manual for this concept because the motor can engage in regenerative power collection upon clutch engagement to prevent rev hang during quick shifting situations. Additionally, the vehicle cannot stall with the clutch which is a great feature for the off-road crowd.
Magneto’s electric motor is constructed to deliver the same power output as the Pentastar 3.6L V6 it replaces, meaning 285 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. However, despite that similar tuning, this Magneto concept is slightly slower from zero to 60 mph; 6.8 versus 6.3.
Where Magento really shines is with its torque. The electric platform means its maximum torque is instantaneous, which is a powerful feature when off-roading.
Four lithium-ion battery packs produce 70 kW/h and run the 800-volt system for Magneto, while a 12-volt system runs things like the heat and accessories such as the Warn winch. Batteries are distributed throughout the vehicle to provide even weight balance and are protected by custom skid-plates. Additionally, the entire system is waterproof, meaning it can still maintain the Wrangler Rubicon’s 30-inch water fording capability.
Finally, items like Mopar’s 2-inch lift, 17-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch mud terrain tires, a custom roll-cage, Mopar rock-rails and steel bumpers round out the vehicle’s accessory list.
Red Bare
Following Jeep’s diesel entrance to the Wrangler platform over the past two years, Gladiator now has that powerplant as an option as well.
And this year’s EJS concept Gladiator Red Bare shows off that powerful engine, and a whole lot more behind a Firecracker Red paint scheme.
The diesel-powered Gladiator Red Bare edition offers up an impressive 91:1 crawl ratio, as well as throwing out 260 hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque guaranteed to please discerning off-road clientele. Custom Dana 44 axels with 4.88 gearing help enhance that performance both on- and off-road.
The vehicle's bright red paint scheme is accented with matte black graphics and gold accents, while a factory soft-top and half-doors showcase the open-air fun that has always signified a Jeep. Inside, all carpet has been removed and replaced with a truck-bed liner, and the brand incorporated black leather seats with red stitching and flannel inserts — mirrored on the dash as well.
Like every good concept going to EJS, Red Bare offers up a bunch of aftermarket parts to make it quite capable. These include a two-inch Mopar lift to help accommodate 37-inch BFG muf terrain tires wrapped on 17-inch wheels, sport bar in the cargo bed, Mopar rock rails, Warn winch, and a bed cover and rack system.
Jeepster Commando Beach
It seems every year for EJS, Jeep offers up at least one concept that hearkens back to some vehicle in the brand’s past. This year, it is the Commando — specifically a 1968 Jeepster Commando built on a 2020 Wrangler Rubicon platform. By combining new and old, occupants receive all the most modern conveniences, with that throwback open air, beach going feel of the original. These throwback concept builds are always crowd favorites and this one will surely have that appeal as well.
The Jeepster Commando Beach is dressed in a unique two-tone paint job (Hazy IPA and Zinc Oxide) and utilizes a 2.0L four-cylinder engine under its hood that has been specifically tuned to give out 340 hp and 369 lb.-ft of torque through its eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s about 25 percent more power than the production version of this engine which easily powers its set of 35-inch tires .
Inside, custom low back seats are trimmed in red leather, while the rear seat was replaced with a chrome, four-point safety cage. Also removed was the vehicle’s carpet so cleaning is pretty much effortless.
Jeep Orange Peelz
With the recent announcement that half doors are now available for the Wrangler JL series, it was almost a foregone conclusion that at least one concept going to Moab this year would have them attached.
And while this two-door Orange Peelz effectively displays those new doors, designers also ramped up the whole open-air idea by removing side and rear windows, and giving the vehicle a removable Freedom Top glass sunroof — you know, like peeling the skin off an orange.
Also opened up are the Orange Peelz’s wheel areas and ground clearance thanks to prototype steel “high top” flares and Mopar two-inch suspension lift. Filling that space are 37” BFG KM3 mud terrain tires on 17-inch wheels.
Under the hood sits a production 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that throws out 285 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Mopar Cold Air Intake. Completing the exterior ensemble are Mopar five-inch LED off-road lights, Warn winch, Mopar steel bumper and side rails, and rear Mopar Tailgate Reinforcement kit to help out with that larger spare.
Another interesting feature on this concept is the windshield, which is made with Corning Gorilla Glass to provide unparalleled resistance to rock chips and other debris whether around town or down the trail.
The concept's name comes from the Orange Peelz exterior color, teamed with contrasting Satin Black beltline graphic and fender badges.
Other 2021 Concepts
While not necessarily “new” this year at EJS, Jeep is also showing off two of last year’s concept crop that didn’t make it to Moab in 2020 because of COVID restrictions.
Farout and Top Dog, both Gladiators, are each designed for active lifestyles and have several standout features for the overlanding crowd like a custom tent set up and unique rear bed storage system.
You can check out more about Farout here, or learn everything on Top Dog here.
Additionally, the final vehicle Jeep is taking out to Moab for this year’s EJS event, 392 Wrangler, was first a concept last year, but then made it to production status — something almost no concept ever accomplishes.
The first Wrangler with a production Hemi engine, the 392 is now available for purchase. You can read more about the 392 Wrangler here.
“Moab is the perfect place to showcase the latest selection of authentic, quality-tested Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar,” said Mark Bosanac, Mopar’s North America Vice President of Service, Parts and Customer Care. “Unlike any other aftermarket offering, our factory-backed Jeep Performance Parts are specifically designed and engineered to deliver exact fit, form and function for Jeep vehicles.”
