2016 Trailcat Concept
What better way to take the Wrangler into the future than to add a ton of power.
To be exact, the Trailcat has a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 engine that churns out 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.
1998 Jeepster Concept
The concept’s codename was “Project Grizzly”. Beyond its strange design, the car had one cool function for performance. On pavement the Jeepster rode at a lower ground clearance of 5.75-inches for improved handling and aerodynamics. However for off-roading, the driver could hit a switch and raise clearance to 9.75-inches.
2015 Chief Concept
Based on the 1970’s-era Cherokee Wagoneer, the design is eye-catching, off-road capable and you could have space for a picnic on top of the mountain.
2004 Treo Concept
Need a Jeep for the City? Here ya go. The Treo was electrically powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell. The concept’s name comes from its 2 seats up front with an additional seat in the rear.
2012 Mighty FC Concept
Using parts from Jeep’s parts catalog, they built a serious off-road pickup truck.
2016 Shortcut
If you remember the CJ-5 then you may appreciate the Shortcut. They chopped off 26-inches from the Wrangler to create this throwback design.
2008 Renegade Concept
This small concept came out before the category of subcompact crossover vehicles.
The Renegade had an environmentally friendly hybrid power-train.
It could be plugged in to charge a lithium-ion battery pack while also using its small Mercedes Bluetec 1.5-liter diesel engine to get a combined efficiency rating of 110 miles per gallon.
The cut-away doors looked interesting but what about getting dirty?
They planned for this too. Its interior was made to simply be hosed out.
2007 Trailhawk Concept
Based on the Wrangler 4-door Unlimited, the Trailhawk combines highway cruising design with some off-road capability…but let’s face it…it’s more grocery-getter than Wrangler.
1997 Dakar Concept
Designers added 15 inches to the Wrangler body and added 2-doors. Its hard-top sported a roof rack along with a sliding canvas sunroof. It also came with additional lights, a shovel and a winch. The concept wasn’t much to look at but it was ahead of its time. A 4-door Wrangler was not available until the 2006 release of the Wrangler “Unlimited”.
2010 Jeep Lower Forty
The “Lower Forty” is actually a product made for the 2009 SEMA auto show. It’s powered by a 556-hp Dodge Challenger engine and uses all of the cool parts that the Mopar catalog offered.
Its name comes from the massive 40-inch x 13.5-inch tires. Not a concept but I had to put it in the mix.
2005 Gladiator Concept
This is the truck version of the Wrangler. Spy photos from FIAT Chrysler Automobiles indicate that a pickup may be a future reality.
1990 Freedom Concept
Jeep’s first attempt at giving the Cherokee a soft top.
2001 Jeep Willys Concept
This futuristic design earned the Gold Award at the 2001 Industrial Design Excellence Competition.
Use of a carbon fiber body helped this classic shed weight.
It also came with an optional hard-top version.
2005 Hurricane Concept
This beast had two 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engines that combined for a total of 670 horsepower and 740 lb-ft of torque.
But it was the design of the rear steering that is truly memorable. For tight turns while off-roading the Hurricane could be put in “Crab-steering” mode to turn the rear wheels.
