Moab concepts reveal 2018 Wrangler secrets

Concept cars allow car companies to test the tastes of future buyers long before a new model goes on sale; and while the radical Easter Jeep Safari concepts revealed at Moab this year might seem too far-fetched to preview an actual series production car, Jeep’s global head of design Mark Allen says we shouldn’t dismiss them lightly.

“I can tell you that there’s a lot of the next Wrangler hidden in plain sight,” he chuckled.

“We can’t be more specific than that right now, but I know Wrangler buyers, especially our enthusiasts, will be very excited about the styling of the JL.”

Due for production in 2018, the JL-series Wrangler has to date been a closely-guarded secret for Jeep, except for the spy shots we’ve seen recently.

But an up-close inspection of the three Wrangler-based concepts – made available for journalists to drive at the launch of the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk this week – give us the opportunity to speculate on which features could make production.

Here’s our five best guesses at where Allen is steering us.

Recessed headlights
The Quicksand concept (pictured here in black) sports a pair of enclosed, hot rod-style headlights behind the fascia’s traditional round cut-outs. Look a little closer, however, and you’ll note the headlights are recessed deeper in the grille than those of the current JK-series Wrangler, giving a more expressive look.

There’s also sign the updated HID-style headlights will give the next-gen off-roader much needed improved forward illumination over the halogen units fitted currently.

Chamfered grille
Sticking with the Quicksand concept and our attention is drawn to the trademark seven-slot grille. Where the current Wrangler’s grille is flat from top to bottom, the concept model boasts a small, angled chamfer that runs horizontally across the grille at headlight height.

It’s a small detail, but one that combines with the seven slots’ chrome inlays to add what we think is a bit of extra class to the Wrangler’s otherwise boxy design.

Raised front guards
The higher-set front guards of the Switchback concept (pictured here in light blue) were so well received, Jeep’s Mopar Accessories team put them into production as an after-market item for the current-gen Wrangler.

The high-clearance guards allow extra wheel clearance for raised Wranglers, and though they may not meet strict safety and regulatory criteria for series production vehicles, we think their styling could hint at where the look of the 2018 model is headed.

High-rise bonnet
With two of the five Easter Jeep Safari concepts powered by V8 engines, the high-rise bonnet of the Switchback concept may suggest a boost in power for the upcoming model.

The vented, cross-cut design of the ‘hood’ would allow plenty of clearance for a larger engine, and may also allow Jeep to install a top-mount intercooler should it want to turbocharge the carry-over 3.6-litre Pentastar petrol V6 or install a higher output turbo-diesel engine.

Lighter, more refined cabin
Treading the line between practicality and panache is difficult, especially with a broad-scope four-wheel drive vehicle like the Jeep Wrangler.

The Safari concept, however, offers a glimpse of where the next Wrangler’s cabin décor may head, the lighter-coloured materials, more technical design and softer, more ergonomic steering wheel a refreshing revision of the blocky, monotone original.

Just don’t hold your breath for the cool, in-dash iPad holder, roof-mounted drone, or outward-facing rear bucket seats.

We expect the next-gen Wrangler will make its global debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

It will likely arrive in Australia towards the end of 2018 in ‘Limited’ short-wheelbase two-door, ‘Unlimited’ long-wheelbase four-door and, for the first time in 2019, ‘Scrambler’ dual-cab utility body styles.