With the Jeep® brand pulling out of this year’s 54th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, due to concerns about the COVID-19 (or Coronavirus), it will be a while till we see the concept vehicles that the brand was intending to release at this year’s event. Instead, we figured over the next week, we would take time to look back at some of our favorite concepts that the brand showed off at recent Easter Jeep Safari events.
The first concept we are going to look at is the light, quick, and nimble, Jeep® 4SPEED concept. this latest lightweight concept, following the popular Pork Chop concept in 2011 and Stitch concept in 2013, bolsters Wrangler’s off-road capability and performance through extensive weight savings and showcases the powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine.
On the exterior, the Jeep 4SPEED concept features custom weight saving measures including a carbon fiber hood, high-clearance carbon fiber fender flares and a carbon fiber rear tub with perforated aluminum panels. The 4SPEED concept boasts a sleek side profile courtesy of a raked windshield, elongated door openings and an aggressively swept back custom cage. The rear of the concept utilizes custom, lightweight bodywork, and because of the combined weight savings, 4SPEED’s ride height is two inches higher than a stock Wrangler.
In addition to being lightweight, overall length has been shortened by 22-inches while leaving the wheelbase at its stock length, resulting in increased approach and departure angles. For even more capability, Jeep 4SPEED features Dana 44 front and rear axles with a 4.10 gear ratio and 18-inch lightweight monoblock wheels wrapped in 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires.
The interior features a customized instrument panel, and re-trimmed front seats, while the rear seats have been removed and a welding curtain has been repurposed as a bikini top. The floor has been covered in bedliner covering and the footwells have been replaced with perforated aluminum panels.
The Jeep 4SPEED is powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 turbocharged engine, delivers 270 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque and is backed by a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic. We wish that Mopar and Jeep would have put a 6-speed manual in this lightweight concept, but we know the 8-speed automatic is more efficient.
So what do you think of the Jeep 4SPEED concept? What are your favorite things about it? What you would like to see make it into production? Leave your comments below, we would love to hear your thoughts.
Jeep® 4SPEED Concept Image Gallery:
