Electrified off-roading will be front and center during this year’s Easter Jeep Safari. Thousands of off-roading enthusiasts and Jeep fans from all over the world are descending upon Moab, UT, starting this weekend, from April 9 to 17, for the annual tradition of trail rides and technical off-roading.

The Easter Jeep Safari, hosted by Moab’s Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc. four-wheel-drive club, consists of trail rides, mostly daylong trips, departing from Moab, UT, throughout the nine-day event. The Jeep Safari was started in 1967 by the Moab Chamber of Commerce as a one-day trail ride. As participation grew, the Safari expanded until it finally reached the current nine-day event. “Big Saturday” remains the culmination of the event on Easter weekend.

This year’s custom Jeep 10-vehicle Moab lineup has an array of advanced powertrains headlined by the return of the Wrangler Magneto, the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) concept from the brand. The new, more capable version 2.0 concept and four other 4xe PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) concept vehicles are meant to reinforce the Jeep brand’s commitment to “Zero Emission Freedom,” while also featuring the latest production and prototype JPP (Jeep Performance Parts) from Mopar goodies.

“From a fully capable BEV off-roader to rugged and powerful terrain tacklers, every concept is a true reflection of what our customers tell us they want and gives a taste of where the future of the Jeep brand and off-roading can go,” said Jim Morrison, Senior Vice President and Head of Jeep Brand North America.

 

Wrangler Magneto 2.0

About a year after the first concept was shown, Magneto 2.0’s updated powertrain includes a custom-built axial-flux electric motor that operates up to 5250 rpm and a unique for most EVs six-speed manual transmission. Four lithium-ion battery modules, distributed throughout the chassis for weight balance, have a combined 70 kW·h capacity and run on an 800-V electrical system. A “race car” derived inverter converts DC to AC for the motor. The peak propulsion system’s electrical current has more than doubled to 600 A.

The performance numbers that result are impressive. Peak power is 625 hp (466 kW), and torque to the wheels of up to 850 lb·ft (1152 N·m) is more than triple the output of last year’s concept. The new electric powertrain maintains peak current for up to 10 s, which lets the Magneto 2.0 accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in just 2 s. Last year’s Magneto 1.0 e-powertrain delivered 285 hp (213 kW) and 273 lb·ft (370 N·m) for 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.8 s.

The new concept is said to demonstrate unequaled rock-crawling capability with instant on-demand torque delivery from a first gear ratio changed from 5.13: to 3.36:1 in combination with the Wrangler Rubicon’s Rock-Trac transfer case. A driver-selectable maximum regeneration function added to the propulsion system offers a “one-pedal” driving experience.

Getting all that torque to the ground required other upgrades.

A 12 in (305-mm) stretch to the wheelbase of the two-door body creates extra room for the new powertrain components, giving the Magneto 2.0 proportions similar to the LJ Wrangler Unlimited from 2004-06.

Augmenting that stretch is a custom, 3-in (76-mm) lift kit and 40-in off-road tires mounted on 20-in wheels. The off-road-specific chassis setup includes a Dynatrac 60 Pro-Rock front axle and a large Pro-Rock Dynatrac 80 rear axle, with a 5.38:1 ratio and lockers for both axles, custom driveshaft, and an off-road suspension.

Blue paint, carbon-fiber B-pillar, custom bikini top, and carbon-fiber hood are some of the visual changes for Magneto 2.0. The hood has a blue-tinted window for viewing portions of the propulsion system underneath. Custom, lightweight bumpers, and carbon-fiber wheel flares cover the wider tires without adding much weight, and they enhance the Magneto 2.0’s approach and departure angles.

 

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk PHEV

This spring the Jeep brand is launching its first-ever electrified Grand Cherokee, the plug-in hybrid-electric 4xe.

The 4xe propulsion system combines two electric motors, a 400-V battery pack, 2.0-L turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 375 hp (280 kW) and 470 lb·ft (637 N·m). It delivers 56 MPGe, 25 mi (40 km) of all-electric range, and an estimated total range of more than 440 mi (708 km). The vehicle features a Quadra Trac II 4×4 system with a two-speed transfer case and 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, a 47.4:1 crawl ratio, and a 6000-lb (2720-kg) max towing capability.

For the Easter Jeep Safari, the Jeep design team took the opportunity to upgrade that model. The Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk PHEV concept pairs 4×4 capability with electrification to deliver better fuel efficiency and driving range. Jeep calls it the most capable and sustainable Grand Cherokee ever, with the 4xe Trailhawk having driven the Rubicon Trail in full-electric operation.

Like the upcoming production Grand Cherokee 4xe, the Trailhawk PHEV concept is powered by two electric motors, a 400-V battery pack, a 2.0-L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. The concept is also equipped with Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension, with the class-exclusive sway-bar disconnect delivering improved articulation and traction over rocks and rough terrain.

The concept features an Industrial Blue exterior, a custom roof rack, black painted Rhino Liner roof for durability, and quad-LED projector fog lamps. Widened flares accommodate the custom 20-in wheels with 33-in BFGoodrich mud-terrain tires.

 

Wrangler 4xe PHEV concepts

The Jeep brand is showing two other notable hybrid Wrangler 4xe-based to the Easter Jeep Safari.

The ’41 concept pays homage to Jeep vehicles of the past, specifically the original Willys MB for the U.S. Army in World War II. However, the retro Willys concept blends military influence with the Wrangler 4xe’s electric-vehicle technology. The concept’s 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain is capable of an estimated 49 MPGe and delivers up to 21 mi (34 km) of zero-emission, electric-only propulsion.

An olive D.R.A.B. ‘41 matte green finish is used for the exterior, Rhino-lined heavy texture floor, instrument panel inserts, and 17-in Fifteen52 wheels, with black powder-coated steel bumpers and Warn winch. JPP supplies the bumper hoop and half doors.

The Wrangler 4xe-based Birdcage concept showcases custom accessories from JPP and Mopar. The Eagle Brown off-roader rides on an industry-first JPP 2-in lift kit with Fox shocks engineered and tuned for the plug-in hybrid powertrain.

For the serious off-roader, the windshield and windshield wipers are removed. The design team closed off the instrument panel with cowl and windshield-wiper filler panel covers, creating a smooth appearance while protecting against dirt and debris. Three concept, header-mounted, 14-in JPP TYRI off-road LED lights were added above.

The Mopar design team created the Add-A-Trunk concept decklid panel that provides security for accessories when the roof is removed. Designed for any Wrangler model with the capacity to store a full-size cooler, the Add-A-Trunk feature uses gas-assisted shocks to lift the decklid panel out of the way for easy access when the swing gate is open. For additional storage, a 600-lb capacity Rhino-Rack cargo basket is mounted to the top of the roll cage.