The Easter Jeep® Safari kicks off tomorrow in Moab, with seven new concept vehicles from the Jeep and Mopar brands. With that being said, a number of the concepts have featured electrified powertrains. However, there is one that is focused on raw internal combustion engine (ICE) horsepower blended with the modern technology of the iconic Wrangler Rubicon.
Iconic off-roading destinations like the legendary Rubicon Trail in Northern California and the backcountry red-rock trails of Moab, Utah, are where boulder-conquering SUV legends are born. Twenty years ago, the Jeep brand introduced the most capable production vehicle of its time with its Rubicon trim.
Built around a new 2003 model-year, two-door Wrangler, and adorned with the legendary Rubicon trail name, the Wrangler Rubicon took the industry by storm in the summer of 2002. The iconic Rubicon model, inspired by the enthusiasts who dreamt about it and often tried to wrench one of their own, was now available to order straight from the factory, not to mention with a warranty. It was equipped with options unheard of at the time and not available on any production Jeep SUV, including Dana 44 axles, front and rear lockers, disconnecting sway bar, rock rails, oversized 31-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires, and wheel flares to truly take off-roading to the next level.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon continues to be a “proof of concept” for the Jeep brand, where lessons learned in off-road meccas like Moab and feedback gleaned from enthusiasts and Jeep brand loyalists continue to push the brand and the entire Jeep lineup forward.
The Rubicon 20th Anniversary Concept, based on the quickest, most powerful Wrangler yet – the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 – continues the legacy established two decades ago by setting the benchmark for performance and capability with its 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine, customized exterior, and stunning interior.
The modified four-door Wrangler Rubicon 392 features an active dual-mode performance exhaust that switches between wild and outrageous, a performance hood with center scoop, custom-built half doors, and Sky One-touch powertop with removable side panels for open-air freedom.
The concept’s matte Granite Crystal exterior vinyl wrap is accentuated with gold tow hooks and badging, a Rubicon 20th Anniversary hood decal, an American flag fender decal, and a Mopar swing gate air compressor.
For additional capability, a Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) 2-inch lift kit, 17-inch Mopar Beadlock-capable wheels with 37-inch mud-terrain tires, steel bumpers, and hoop with Warn winch and steel belly pan were added to help navigate treacherous terrain and challenging off-road conditions.
We hope to see this concept make it into production in some form. There may even be some hints of the upcoming Wrangler refresh hidden in its design.
Jeep® Rubicon 20th Anniversary Concept Image Gallery:
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