Jeep® and Mopar Introduce Wrangler Red Rock Concept at SEMA Show

•New Wrangler Concept features array of Mopar and Jeep® Performance Parts

•A serialized 50-unit special-edition production Wrangler – inspired by the Red Rock Concept – will be built as a tribute to the upcoming 50th Moab Easter Jeep Safari

•Based on Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock edition

•Wrangler Red Rock Concept features Amaretto Brown Katzkin leather seats with silver accent stitching and a 'Red Rock' embroidered seat back logo

•Aftermarket Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift, 35-inch BFG K02 all-terrain tires, commemorative Red Rock appearance package give Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Concept a unique and rugged presence

November 3, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Jeep® and Mopar have teamed up to create the Wrangler Red Rock Concept vehicle that will be showcased at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas. The Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Concept pays tribute to the Red Rock 4-Wheelers off-road club that hosts the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. For 2016, the Red Rock 4-Wheelers celebrate the 50th annual Easter Jeep Safari, which started in 1967 with an off-road drive along the 'Behind the Rocks Trail.'

In celebration of the upcoming 50th annual Easter Jeep Safari, the Jeep brand will produce 50 serialized Jeep Wrangler Red Rock special-edition models in 2016, influenced by the Wrangler Red Rock Concept that makes its debut at the SEMA show.

'The annual Easter Jeep Safari remains one of the most significant events on any Jeep enthusiast's calendar,' said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. 'We're extremely grateful to the Red Rock 4-Wheelers for continuing this iconic Jeep event, and we present our Wrangler Red Rock Concept as a tribute to them and the enthusiasts who attend the annual Jeep Safari and support our brand.'

The Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Concept is another example of the potential of customizing a production Jeep Wrangler with aftermarket Performance Parts from Mopar.

'The Jeep Wrangler is the most accessorized vehicle in our portfolio, with almost 100 percent of customers buying at least one accessory or performance part,' said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA - Global. 'Mopar continues to support serious off-roaders by offering a full-line of high-end, hard-core quality aftermarket Jeep Performance Parts to personalize their rides and tackle extreme trails.'

When the Jeep Wrangler Red Rock special-edition model is produced next year, it will feature some of the content shown on the Red Rock Concept. Select items showcased on the Concept will be available as aftermarket parts from Mopar.

Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Concept

Based on a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock, the Wrangler Red Rock Concept includes next-generation Dana 44 solid front and rear axles, a Rock-Trac® transfer case with a 4.10 axle ratio, a power dome vented hood, new premium off-road rock rails, and front and rear red tow hooks. Wrangler Red Rock Concept-specific features include a commemorative Red Rock badge and Red Rock hood decal, low gloss Jeep badge, low gloss Granite Crystal off-road bumpers, and a body-color grille with low-gloss black grille throats and headlamp accents.

Since it's based off of the Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock, the Red Rock Concept is equipped with Tru-Lok® electronic locking differentials, the Rock-Trac® transfer case and a 4:1 low-range ratio. A 73.1:1 crawl ratio with the manual transmission enables the Red Rock Concept to scale obstacles others just dream about.

Inside, Amaretto Brown Katzkin leather seats with silver accented stitching and a 'Red Rock' embroidered seat back logo set the Red Rock Concept apart from the rest of the Wrangler lineup. A serialized 'Red Rock' grab handle plaque is also featured to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Easter Jeep Safari.

The Wrangler Red Rock Concept's robust look and off-road capabilities are enhanced with help from a 2-inch lift kit, 17-inch beadlock wheels – in low gloss black; the bead lock rings are low gloss Granite Crystal – wrapped in rugged 35-inch BFG K02 all-terrain tires, LED headlamps and fog lights, and a Jeep-branded CB radio. The Wrangler Red Rock Concept includes an aftermarket Warn Rubicon winch, front and rear differential covers, and a reinforced swing gate and wheel mount.

Since 2002, Jeep and Mopar have collaborated on more than 50 unique concept vehicles for enthusiasts who attend the popular Easter Jeep Safari.

About Jeep Brand

Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Renegade, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options.

About Mopar Brand

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked in 1937 with the launch of an antifreeze product, but it truly made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era. From Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use, the brand soon expanded to include technical service and customer support.

Today, Mopar is FCA's service, parts and customer-care brand and distributes more than 500,000 parts and accessories in over 150 markets around the world. With more than 50 parts distribution centers and 27 customer-contact hubs globally, Mopar integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Mopar is the source for genuine parts and accessories for FCA brands.

by Jeep

An automobile marque and registered trademark of Chrysler, Jeep is the oldest off-road vehicle brand. First appearing as the prototype Bantam BRC, the original vehicle became the primary light 4-wheel-drive vehicle of the U.S. Army and allies during World War II and the postwar period. Jeeps have also been used by the U.S. Postal Service during the 20th century for mail services. One suggestion for the origin of the name 'Jeep' was that the vehicle bore the designation 'GP' (for 'Government Purposes' or 'General Purpose'), which was phonetically slurred into the word Jeep.

A fun car to drive, whether it be cruising around the neighborhood, or taking on a perilous off-road trek, the Jeep Wrangler was first introduced to the world in 1987. Able to withstand the test of time, the Wrangler continues to be a very popular vehicle. Since its conception in 1987, the Wrangler has undergone 3 major design revisions from the YJ until the JK and through the changes, the Wrangler continues to prove itself as 'the gold standard' of off-road vehicles.

Arguably one of the most recognizable Jeep vehicles; the Wrangler is considered a mini sport utility vehicle and has always been produced by Chrysler, under the Jeep name. A successor of the World War II Jeep vehicle, the Wrangler underwent a big makeover in 1987, again in 1997 and 2007. The Wrangler is known by Jeep under a variety of names including YJ, JK and TJ. Targeting at maximizing comfort to expand the appeal of the Wrangler beyond the off-road world, Chrysler has continued to update the Jeep Wrangler year after year.

Built in Brampton, Ontario, the Wrangler; also known as the YJ began production in 1987 and continued to be produced at this location until 1992. In that year it began to be produced by Jeep's Toledo North Assembly plant located in Toledo, Ohio. The cars were also produced in Canada for many years, but they weren't sold under the Wrangler name, instead, it was offered as a trim level of a Chevy pickup. From 1987 until 1995, models were known as YK, and from 1997 the 2006 the models were sold as TJ. The Wrangler YJ sold nearly 700,000 units.

The YJ was available as a two door convertible as well as a two door truck. The YJ offered three different engine options that included a 2.0 liter, 4.0 liter as well as a 4.2 liter along with four different transmission options. The YJ was available with two different gas tanks, either an optional 20 gallon tank or the standard 15-gallon tank. The 15-gallon tank was pretty standard for this type of vehicle at this time, compared to now where there is a demand for greater fuel capacity.

The Jeep Wrangler that was produced from 1997 for a decade was dubbed the TJ and was offered with three different engines that included a 2.4 liter, 4.0 liter as well as the 2.5 liter. The TJ was available as both a two door convertible and a two door truck. The transmission was available in three different offerings including a four-speed automatic, a five-speed manual and a six speed manual. A compromise between the standard 15 gallon tank and the optional 20 gallon tank offered on the YJ from 1987 until 1995 was the 19 US gallon gas tank offered on the TJ.

Departing from the World War II era CJ Jeeps, the TJ went back to the round headlights from the square headlights featured on the YJ. The Wrangler TJ also had an unlimited model that 10' longer than the standard wrangler. Continuing on as a very popular roadster, the TJ was in production until 2006. Owners were able to maximize the off-road experience beyond the base model with vast customization options.

The name for the Wrangler changed to JK from 2007 onwards until it is updated again. The KJ features a two-door model as well as two four-door models. Longer, wider and featuring more spaces than its predecessors, the JK came in three trim options; the X, Sahara and Rubicon. The current engine of the JK is a 3.6 liter V6 with either a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The all-new JK came with a larger gas tank than previous ones and had a fuel capacity at 21.6 US gallons, which was more popular with the customers. The Rubicon and the Sahara models include 17-inch wheels instead of the 16-inch wheels that were standard on the X. Both of these models also have additional body trim and styling as well as interior features.

Standing the test of time, unlike many vehicles, the Wrangler has the capability to change when the needs of the consumer change. Today the Wrangler can be thought of as a family car, due to its diversity, capacious interior and safety ratings. The Wrangler has been, and continues to be the best-regarded 4X4 off-road vehicle.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4x4x4 was created by taking the 2007 Wrangler and adding two extra doors and extra length. Keeping the same iconic style, the Unlimited retained the classic look but expanded the appeal beyond the 2-door Wrangler's 'niche' market. Continuing to possess off-road and anywhere capability the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited featured a less rugged feel and was more geared 'toward suburban assault vehicle' with its comfort for everyday functions.

The Unlimited retained the convertible options and actually has several configurations with the 3-piece modular 'Freedom Top' feature.

by Jessican Donaldson