Pushing The Limit – The 2018 Jeep Concept Rigs

Industry News April 12, 2018 Corey Osborne

With names like 4Speed, Sandstorm and Nacho Jeep, how can you pick just one favorite? This year, unveiled at the 52nd annual Easter Jeep...

With names like 4Speed, Sandstorm and Nacho Jeep, how can you pick just one favorite?

This year, unveiled at the 52nd annual Easter Jeep Safari held in Moab Utah, seven new concept vehicles headed for the trails. This was by far the most eclectic group of vehicles Jeep has ever assembled. They consisted of the following:

Nacho Jeep: a rolling catalog of Jeep Performance Parts available for the all-new Wrangler

Jeep B-Ute: designed to be off-road ready with practical utility

Jeep Jeepster: a mixture of the present and possible with heritage-inspired styling

Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip: luxury heritage design, rich in history and capable of tackling any terrain

Jeep J-Wagon: elite street appeal united with extreme off-road capability

Jeep Sandstorm: a Baja runner built for high-speed desert blitzing

There was just something about one of them that I really liked…and it wasn’t necessarily even “new”. 4Speed was based upon a couple of past concepts, Pork Chop from 2011 and Stitch from 2013.

Jeep® 4SPEED: a lightweight follow-up to two previous concepts

Details released directly from Jeep describe this light, quick and nimble rig, which bolsters Wrangler’s off-road capability and performance through extensive weight savings, and showcases the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine.

On the exterior, the Jeep 4SPEED concept features custom weight saving measures including a carbon fiber hood, high-clearance carbon fiber fender flares and a carbon fiber rear tub with perforated aluminum panels. The 4SPEED concept boasts a sleek side profile courtesy of a raked windshield, elongated door openings and an aggressively swept back custom cage. The rear of the concept utilizes custom, lightweight bodywork, and because of the combined weight savings, 4SPEED’s ride height is two inches higher than a stock Wrangler.

In addition to being lightweight, overall length has been shortened by 22 inches while leaving the wheelbase at its stock length, resulting in increased approach and departure angles.

For even more capability, Jeep 4SPEED features Dana 44 front and rear axles with a 4.10 gear ratio and 18-inch lightweight monoblock wheels wrapped in 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.

The interior features a customized instrument panel, and re-trimmed front seats, while the rear seats have been removed and a welding curtain has been repurposed as a bikini top. The floor has been bedlined and the foot wells have been replaced with perforated aluminum panels.

The Jeep 4SPEED is powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 turbocharged engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Do you have a favorite? Tell us! Which one and why?

Corey Osborne Co-creator

After 23 years of corporate life, I decided to pursue my passions in the off road industry. Specializing in marketing, visibility, relationship and brand building, and acting as MetalCloak's field marketing representative, I have travelled across the country (quite a few times!) using Metalcloak’s CTI (Corner Travel Index) to educate the off road enthusiast. I have also worked with Jeep Jamboree USA as event staff, to provide additional value and education to its participants. I've been fortunate enough to work with both international as well as domestic media; have attended most of the off-road events across our country; and have driven a wide variety of vehicles. I'm a certified PADI scuba instructor and have a BS in Computer Science.