Jeep Reveals 470hp V8 Wrangler and Retro Concepts at Moab Easter Jeep Safari

Yesterday we looked at a trio of frankly slightly boring special edition Jeeps, today Jeep brought the real fun with five vehicles: four concepts and one very real V8 Jeep Wrangler. The trucks were presented at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah and are meant to launch Mopar's new off-road division. 

The Jeep Wrangler Apache is the production vehicle among the bunch. It replaces the Pentastar V6 with a 6.4 liter Hemi V8 with 470hp and 470lb-ft of torque. Mopar will put the Hemi conversion kit on sale in the summer. It will come initially with a five-speed automatic transmission but a six-speed manual will be an option later. The Apache shown in Moab also includes 5.13 front and rear axles, 4.5in lift kit, rock rails, winch and leather seats. All of these components will also be available from Mopar off-road. 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Concept has a Quadra-Lift air suspension, traction control, a tow and recovery hook that is rated at twice the truck's gross weight and rear limited-slip differential. It also has 18in, armored tires to prevent punctures and body rails to protect the body. While technically a concept almost all of these components will be available from Mopar off-road when it launches, so intrepid buyers could build a near replica of this truck. 

The Jeep Mighty FC Concept is inspired by the Jeep Forward Control that was built from 1956 to 1965. It is based on the Wrangler, but Jeep moved the cab on top of the engine, lengthened the wheelbase and added a custom cargo box. 

The J-12 Concept is a further modification of the JK-8 Wrangler pickup. Where the JK-8 is a real vehicle available from Mopar as a conversion kit, the J-12 adds an 18in-longer bed to make it a full 6ft long. It also has a custom front end to make it look like older Jeep pickups. 

Finally, Jeep as the Wrangler Traildozer Concept that is meant as the ultimate Wrangler-based off-road vehicle. It starts with the new Hemi conversion kit with a six-speed manual transmission. It has stronger front and rear axles with electronically locking differentials and 37in off-road tires with a 3.5in lift. Front, rear and corner protectors have been applied along with a heat reduction hood, half-door kit and winch. 

Moab is the site of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park and is known for its scenic, mountainous beauty.