2014 Jeep Wrangler Shows a Cavalcade of Concepts

The 2014 Jeep Wrangler has kicked off the new selling season pretty much the same way it ended the last one, putting up an ongoing streak of monthly sales records that also brought its Q1 sales total to a quarterly record 34,674 units. That volume was some 8.8 percent ahead of the Wrangler's pace from the same time last year and compares to a 1.4 percent overall industry gain for the first three months of 2014.

Which brings us to a fantastic foursome of concept vehicles designed to show that the 2014 Jeep Wrangler plans on remaining relevant far into the future, too.

The first three all made their debuts at the 2014 Easter Jeep Safari, held as always in the off-road playground of Moab, Utah. Actually, the brand brought a full half dozen concepts to the event, also including three Jeep Cherokees, with each one leveraging the efforts of the Chrysler Group's Mopar division.

Said Pietro Gorlier, president and CEO of the automaker's service, parts and customer-care brand: “This year, we’re showcasing a combination of Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts on our vehicles for off-road enthusiasts to see a variety of customization and personalization options. Since 2002, Jeep and Mopar have teamed to create more than 40 unique concept vehicles for enthusiasts who attend the popular Easter Jeep Safari.”

Take the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Level Red. Created to push the ol' off-road performance bar to "the highest level of difficulty," this concept benefits from a 2-inch lift kit and Dana 44 crate axles fore and aft, both with 4:10 ratios, along with a Rock-Trac transfer case with 4:1 low range. Providing the power is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that's been upgraded with a cold-air intake and low-restriction exhaust, with power managed by a six-speed manual transmission.

But along with all that hardware, as well as protoype bumper ends and plenty of underbody protection, the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Level Red shows off some equally aggressive styling, too. Not only does it ride on massive 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires, mounted on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, it also sports "TorRed" striping, a Pitch Black exterior, a half-door kit from Mopar and rock rails from Jeep Performance Parts. A Flame Red cabin set off by TorRed accents helps to heat up the interior, which also features a concept Jeep Cargo Management system.

Just in case the 2014 Jeep Wrangler isn't eye-catching enough as is, the MOJO concept also introduced at Moab rectifies that situation with a Bright Orange exterior that helps put the "OJ" in the "MOJO" name. That's straight from the brand, as is the vehicle's prototype "shorty-style" bumpers, flat-top fenders and winch, all complemented by an off-road setup similar to that in the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Level Red edition (with lift kit, Dana axles, under-body skid plates, and Rock-Trac transfer case, etc.).

But while the MOJO Wrangler offers its own striking exterior appearance, thanks to a cartographically oriented hood graphic, two-tone half-doors, LED lighting and 37-inch off-road rubber, the interior is all business, from its easy-to-clean black "Katzkin" leather seating to its all-weather floormats. As for the carpet, there isn't any, to make keeping the cabin dirt-free even simpler.

The 2014 Jeep Wrangler MOJO, as is the case with the other Jeep concepts, keeps working with an award-winning Pentastar V6 under the hood.

This 2014 Jeep Wrangler show vehicle lives up to its “Maximum Performance” moniker with:

• Dana 60 axles that can be electrically locked with a single push of a button, complemented by 4.88 gearing, 70:1 crawl ratio and a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case
• Prototype 4-inch lift kit
• Eight-lug beadlock wheels wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires
• Front winch matched by a rear tire carrier with full-size spare
• Significant under-body protection, along with a "Stinger" front bumper
• Top-mounted LED lights
• Hard-top with full steel doors
• Hood graphics inspired by the Moab landscape
• Cabin appointments in Katzkin leather accented by Mopar Blue trim

The bottom line from the brand on this particular 2014 Jeep Wrangler concept: "Jeep Wrangler Maximum Performance speaks to the hard-core enthusiasts who spend every spare minute on the trail and seek the ultimate in power and capability so they can go where others cannot."

As part of Jeep's new global sales strategy, the brand had a strong presence at the Beijing Auto Show, also held in April, and introduced a new 2014 Jeep Wrangler concept at that event.

The Sundancer was developed to combine "the legendary capability of the Jeep Wrangler with a touch of sophistication—and a sense of fashion." To put that into practice, designers started with a 2014 Jeep Wrangler and then finished it in a stunning Chocolate Brown metallic tri-coat, highlighted by an exclusive "Golden Bronze tone-on-tone ghosted pattern" that produces some nifty visual effects depending on the lighting. The arresting appearance of the Sundancer is then set off by 20-inch billet-aluminum wheels with a pale gold finish and polished gold inserts.

The same palette was used for the interior of the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sundancer, helping to set off premium seating that's swathed in Berry Baltique Semi-Aniline leather with Axis II perforated inserts. Door panels and the instrument panel are finished in premium leather, too, with Romina leather-trimmed floormats and "Gold Rush" painted trim providing the finishing touches.

Now, none of these concepts has yet to be approved for production, but many of their prototype accessories will be available from Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts, and it is worth remembering that a previous Wrangler concept that premiered in Beijing was so popular that the brand continues to offer a retail version, the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Dragon Edition, as part of its current lineup.