Skip to main content
Tech Radar Tech Radar TechRadar The source for Tech Buying Advice
Subscribe
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
Technology Magazines
Technology Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12.99
View
  • News
  • Best
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
  • How To
  • Deals
  • More
    • Versus
    • Appliances
    • Audiovisual
    • Cameras
    • Car Tech
    • Computing
    • Coupons
    • Downloads
    • Entertainment
    • Fitness
    • Laptops
    • Phones
    • Smart Home
    • Tablets
    • TVs
    • Wearables
    • About Us
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • WWDC 2023 LIVE
  • Apple VR headset
  • iPhone 15
  • ChatGPT
  • Wordle hints
  • Best VPN

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Car Tech

Jeep's gone bonkers with amazing concepts for its 75th birthday

By Tuan Huynh
published 11 March 2016

Such a tease

Jeep Easter Safari 2016 concepts

Jeep Easter Safari 2016 concepts

Thousands of Jeep enthusiasts gather every year in Moab, Utah for the Easter Jeep Safari to traverse trails on a 9-day expedition that pushes the limits of off-road capabilities. This year's Safari marks the 50th anniversary for the event and the 75th birthday of Jeep and the Jeep brand, and the auto maker isn't holding back with its celebratory festivities.

Jeep is bringing seven salacious concepts to the Moab, which kicks off on March 19, with completely customized vehicles based off Wranglers and Renegades. These concepts range from a couple accessory add-ons to outrageous makeovers. Either way, I'd be willing to give up an organ or two to take one home.

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
Jeep Trailcat

Jeep Trailcat

The most insane concept out of the seven is the Jeep Trailcat. Start with a Jeep Wrangler, remove the motor, transmission and shoehorn the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi Hellcat V8 engine and six-speed manual transmission in the engine bay. As with the Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat's, the Jeep Trailcat produces 707 horsepower (hp).

Jeep beefs up the off-road capabilities by adding big 39.5-inch BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX tires and Fox shocks. The front and rear axles were upgraded to Dana 60 units, too, so the Trailcat should be fast and extremely capable off-road.

Despite the off-road pedigree of the Wrangler, I'd love to spend a week in the desert with the Trailcat, just driving in circles.

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
Jeep Crew Chief 715

Jeep Crew Chief 715

Jeep's Crew Chief 715 concept channels the old school Kaiser M715, a former Jeep used by the military. Based off the Wrangler Unlimited, the Crew Chief 715 adds a truck bed, retro front-end styling and a 4-inch lift.

Jeep Crew Chief 715

The front-end styling resembles the Kaiser M715, but as a 90's kid, it reminds me of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. All it needs is some fake wood paneling.

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
Jeep Shortcut

Jeep Shortcut

The Jeep Shortcut takes the Wrangler and shortens the body to resemble the CJ-5 of yesteryear. Jeep cut off 26-inches of length, including the bumpers and spare tire, for a unique look. And, because it's a Jeep, it also receives beefy off-road tires and a 2-inch lift.

Jeep Shortcut

This particular concept reminds me of the red Power Wheels Jeep I had as a kid, and I really want one.

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
Jeep Comanche

Jeep Comanche

I'm a big fan of the Jeep Renegade and its adorable looks. The Comanche takes the Jeep Renegade and tosses out everything south of the front doors for a truck bed. Jeep had to stretch the wheelbase six inches for the 5-foot bed to fit.

To further sweeten the forbidden fruit, the Jeep Comanche sports a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel motor that's available everywhere in the world, except North America. I'm not sure if Jeep is giving its fans hopes and dreams of a diesel baby Jeep in the US or if it's trolling. Whatever its plan, TAKE MY MONEY NOW!

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
Jeep FC 150

Jeep FC 150

Jeep's final outrageous concept is the FC 150, which uses an original steel body from a 1960 Forward Control, but is completely updated beneath. The chassis sitting below the FC 150 is from a 2005 Wrangler that's been enhanced for greater off-road capabilities, with beefier axles and 33-inch off-road tires.

While the FC 150 isn't based on the latest and greatest, I appreciate that Jeep embraces its heritage and doesn't try to reinvent itself every couple of years.

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
The rest
Jeep Trailstorm

The rest

Not all of the concepts Jeep is bringing to the Easter Jeep Safari are insane. The company is bringing out two mildly modified production cars loaded with factory accessories in the form of the Jeep Trailstorm and Renegade Commander.

Jeep Renegade Commander

Jeep Renegade Commander

The Trailstorm takes a stock Wrangler and loads it up with a 2-inch lift, new shocks, beefier axles, a winch and visual enhancements, while the Renegade Commander does the same with the mini-me Renegade.

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Wrap-up
Jeep Shortcut

Wrap-up

I'm having a hard time deciding which Jeep concept is my favorite. Honestly, it's difficult to choose because I love them all.

The sheer insanity of shoehorning a Hellcat motor into the Wrangler is a marvelous creation, but I'm also a sucker for the Renegade.

Slapping a truck bed on the Renegade would make a sweet mini-truck that's a perfect daily driver for a bachelor. But there's also the Crew Chief 715, with its in-your-face front end of former Kaiser M715 trucks.

Jeep Shortcut

Check out that sweet plaid red interior

Ultimately, if I had to pick a favorite, I have to go with the Jeep Shortcut. The shortened, all-red Jeep brings back memories of my childhood and cruising the neighborhood in my red Power Wheels Jeep. It's my favorite for the nostalgia factor.

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
Tuan Huynh
Social Links Navigation
See more Car tech news
More about car tech
cheap dash cam deals

The best cheap dash cam sales and deals for M06 2023

Tesla Model 3

This is why Elon Musk is right about Tesla's 'ChatGPT moment'

Latest
StanbyME Go

LG reveals the StanbyME Go, a portable tablet with its own stylish suitcase

See more latest ►
Most Popular
League of Legends is getting its own Coca-Cola flavor and I can't even

By Aleksha McLoughlinJune 07, 2023

Apple Maps will finally get this useful Google Maps feature in iOS 17

By Axel MetzJune 07, 2023

Starfield controller images appear ahead of this week's Xbox Games Showcase

By Rhys WoodJune 07, 2023

FBI warns that compromising deepfakes are on the rise

By Craig HaleJune 07, 2023

Junji Ito-inspired horror game World of Horror has mysteries and horrors

By Elie GouldJune 07, 2023

If you read just one thing today: Sony's new 5-star budget earbuds just got even cheaper

By Becky ScarrottJune 07, 2023

Many Android apps have been installing adware for half a year

By Sead FadilpašićJune 07, 2023

HBO just canceled one of the best detective shows, but it's still worth watching on Max

By Tom PowerJune 07, 2023

You can now preorder Google's new AI tool for Workspace

By Lewis MaddisonJune 07, 2023

1Password is bringing its public passkey beta to your browser

By Lewis MaddisonJune 07, 2023

United Airlines' new Panasonic OLED TVs will work with your AirPods

By Becky ScarrottJune 07, 2023

  1. A person looking very surprised at their laptop
    1
    Windows 11 reportedly installs optional update without asking – and it’s causing trouble
  2. 2
    Your favorite Disney Plus and Hulu TV shows could be removed in the coming months
  3. 3
    I tried ultra-fast charging, and it's ruined the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy for me
  4. 4
    9 TV shows coming to Hulu in June that you won't want to miss
  5. 5
    Apple just honored these 12 apps with its ultimate award – download them now
  1. Realme GT 3 hands-on back straight
    1
    I tried ultra-fast charging, and it's ruined the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy for me
  2. 2
    9 TV shows coming to Hulu in June that you won't want to miss
  3. 3
    4 great Apple TV 4K features announced at WWDC 2023, and 1 big miss
  4. 4
    Apple just honored these 12 apps with its ultimate award – download them now
  5. 5
    The WD Black C50 Xbox Expansion Card is here - and is cheaper than we thought
Technology Magazines
  • ●
Technology Magazines
  • The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews
From$12.99
View

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.