An entirely new collection of eye-catching, efficient, and mission-capable concept vehicles will be unveiled and driven off-road during the 57th Annual Easter Jeep Safari, April 1st to the 9th, 2023, in Moab, Utah, the Jeep® brand’s home away from home.
Electrified power and commanding performance will be front and center during this year’s Safari. The Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar design teams have created several one-of-a-kind rock-crawling and terrain-traversing vehicles that will take four-wheeling to the next level and prove why there’s nothing quite like legendary Jeep 4×4 capability.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe Departure Concept builds upon the iconic open-air cockpit of the best-selling and most capable plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) in North America with innovative and conceptual items from the JPP by the Mopar design team. Notably, the spare wheel and tire mount allows the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (JL) 4xe to push the limits of available departure angles with 4×4 electrification.
Riding on 17-inch x 8.5-inch Vintage Bronze KMC Impact OL wheels and 37-inch BFGoodrich tires, the Wrangler 4xe Departure Concept features a JPP 2-inch lift kit with BILSTEIN performance shock absorbers. The BILSTEIN shocks use remote reservoirs to provide a greater cooling capability for increased suspension travel and improved Jeep 4×4 off-road capability.
Protecting the seven-slot front grille first introduced on the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition is a custom-designed tubular grille guard measuring 4 feet x 1 foot that folds down to create an innovative bumper bench, a perfect relaxation perch for two while out on the trails. Below the grille guard is a modified Rubicon bumper with a Warn winch.
New, custom, flat-fender flares and wheel liners, designed specifically for larger wheel and tire combinations, provide additional clearance. The flat fender flares have integral removable daytime-running-light (DRL) covers for the off-road enthusiast who may require extra tire clearance for extreme off-road situations. This concept is the first 50-state legal fender flare with OEM DRL and meets 50-state tire coverage requirements.
The design team continues to explore customer needs by investigating additional trail lighting. The Wrangler 4xe Departure Concept uses three concept header-mounted, 11-inch TYRI rectangular LED lights with custom brackets that mount to the backside of the windshield header. Each light easily pivots out of the way when the windshield is folded down. Illuminating the ground at all four corners are custom rock lights.
Custom rock rails with mounted slider tubes provide enhanced body protection and easier access to the elevated cabin, while JPP tube doors provide the ultimate open-air experience. For added storage capacity, the Wrangler 4xe Departure concept features Molle panels that attach to the sport bar and the body tub to house additional trail-rated accessories that need a mounting point.
The design team used the Wrangler 4xe Departure Concept to explore innovative options to mount the spare wheel and tire while keeping harmony with other accessories. At the rear is a custom convertible tube gate that offers front- or rear-facing positions for the spare wheel and tire. When the spare is flipped outward, the system acts as a bed extender to provide more cargo space. When the gate is turned toward the cabin, the rear overhang is greatly improved for off-roading while the spare wheel and tire are safely secured. The convertible gate maintains a factory backup camera and Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) in either position.
The rear cargo compartment features Jeep Rubicon trail rails with tie-downs to store additional accessories and a signature JPP all-weather cargo mat.
The stunning Dark Harbor blue exterior on the Wrangler 4xe Departure Concept is contrasted inside the cabin with the vivid chromatic seating surfaces. The design team uses an expressive color combination of light Acorn Squash Nappa leather contrasted with darker Carnegie Hall brown Nappa leather, accented with warm off-white Serafil stitching. The Dark Harbor blue color continues onto the instrument panel, which features various Vintage Bronze accents.
The Wrangler 4xe Departure Concept also features a concept instrument panel accessory rail to mount phones or accessories for recording trail rides.
For the driver, stainless-steel JPP pedal covers include black rubber pads, adding plenty of traction to the accelerator and brake pedals. In addition, JPP door-grab handles provide easy entry and exit. The new JPP heavy-duty vinyl flooring system is available now for all production four-door Wranglers. Integrated Jeep, floor drains allow for easy interior cleaning.
Jeep® Wrangler 4xe Departure Concept Image Gallery:
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