Jeep Rubicon – Photo Source/Copyright: Stellantis Media
The Easter Jeep Safari in 2023 was extraordinary. The present cold fronts make it difficult to know if spring has arrived. Even if it’s a touch chilly, Jeepers will be hiking, chatting, and checking out all the latest goods to pimp out their own Jeep off-road warriors. Mopar likes to show off what a Jeeper can do when they locate new additions to the Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) catalog, as they do every year. This year, there were various concepts, some of which were really stretching the boundaries, therefore we divided the list this year to pay proper attention to some of the larger animals. We looked at the Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept last week, and this week we’re looking at the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept.
Anyone should notice the 4xe. The Rubicon 4xe Departure is based on the legendary, best-selling, and most capable PHEV in America, the Wrangler 4xe. The wheels are 17-by-8.5-inch Vintage Bronze KMC Impact OL wheels wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich rubber from the ground up. A JPP 2-inch lift kit combined with BILSTEIN performance shock absorbers with remote reservoirs provides greater cooling for increased suspension travel and off-road capability. Custom flat-fender flares and wheel liners complement the wheel and tire combo, offering additional clearance. They also include detachable daytime-running-light (DRL) covers for further clearance.
A 4′ x 1′ custom-designed tubular grille guard protects the seven-slot front grille. By folding the grille guard down, an ingenious bumper bench can be employed for leisure and a respite from walking. If you find yourself in a jam, a modified Rubicon bumper with a Warn winch can be located beneath the grille guard for some towing. The concept includes three concept header-mounted, 11-inch TYRI rectangular LED lights with bespoke brackets that may be attached to the backside of the windshield header. When the windscreen is folded, each light can be rotated down to illuminate the ground in addition to the bespoke rock lights.
There are enhancements to protect the vehicle and passengers all over the body of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept. Jeeps are well-known for placing a spare wheel and tire in the back, but surely there is more that can be done. A bespoke convertible tube gate provides multiple settings for the spare wheel and tire – when flipped outward, this setup functions as a bed extender to provide more cargo room; when turned inward, the extra space improves off-roading potential. Customers can employ red stop lamps located on the center line of the rear (CHMSL) and a factory backup camera in either position.
If you wish to spend a day on the route, you need to have the necessary equipment. Jeep Rubicon trail rails with tie-downs are installed in the rear cargo compartment for storing items on the roof. A characteristic JPP all-weather cargo mat on the inside helps to keep the interior clean. The new JPP heavy-duty vinyl flooring system, which includes integrated Jeep floor drains for quicker cleanup, is also available.
Speaking of the interior, the seating surfaces are quite colorful, with a combination of light Acorn Squash Nappa leather contrasted with darker Carnegie Hall brown Nappa leather, stitched with warm off-white Serafil thread. Inside and out, customers will notice a gorgeous Dark Harbor blue paint job and different Vintage Bronze touches on the instrument panel. Jeepers can also record trail trips by mounting phones on an instrument panel accessory rail.
Now that sounds like a great off-road Jeep concept. As always, this is just a sample of what consumers can do when modifying a Jeep with the JPP catalog. It all starts with buying your own new Jeep Wrangler at Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.
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Terry is an avid Nascar fan who grew up attending races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, just down the road from his hometown of China Grove, NC. Terry currently resides in Wellington and has been writing for 15 years. He also enjoys watching the Road Runner Looney Tunes cartoon with his two sons in his spare time.