If you’ve been keeping a watchful eye on the Jeep brand in hopes of catching cues at the all-new Jeep Wrangler JL scheduled to debut in 2018 — well, take a close look at the five concepts vehicles Jeep and Mopar will be rolling out to the 51st annual Easter Jeep Safari. While the highly anticipated JL continues to be a mystery, there could be clues to the new Wrangler platform hidden in plain sight. When considering the previous concept vehicles, we know it to be true that many small aspects that go into a concept rig can often directly equate to a future production vehicle.
Looking at the assortment of Wranglers on hand, one thing stands out above all others. Not a single one is completely topless. Does this mean the new JL will go without a fully removable top? If so, will it be replaced by an assortment of lighter and potentially easier to manage removable panels?
Another vehicle that is definitely on the periphery of Jeep’s core consumer market is the Compass. While it's not going to be the first choice for anyone looking to do a serious trail, it could be a real player for outdoor enthusiasts looking for an all-wheel-drive compact SUV, but don't want to be associated with the hipsters driving Subarus. Sorry, hipsters.
Solid axles? Check. We’ve heard Dana has been working on new axles for the JL. So, we don't think live axles are going anywhere.
Most of the concept Wranglers appear to have a mix of composite materials and/or aluminum. This could be a big hint that the new Jeep may be shedding some body weight.
How about this for a throwback? A Grand Cherokee ZJ of all things! The Grand Cherokee is still going strong, but could this hint at a more rugged Grand variant being offered in the future? There’s still talk of a Grand Wagoneer said to compete with the high-end Land Rover.
We will be in Moab, Utah, next week to get behind the wheel of each of these concepts. We’re probably the most excited about the one dubbed "Quicksand," but they all look amazing in their own right. Be sure to check back soon for driving impressions and a closer look at Jeep's 2017 EJS concepts.
