Jeep Concepts Show Promise

Sometimes a vehicle comes out that leaves everyone shaking their head. Some that spring to mind: the Pontiac Aztec and Ford TaurusX. Cars that meet no demand, they just serve to illustrate how far a manufacturer’s insular marketing committees can stray from what the public actually wants. Distracted by profit margins and market segments, cars like the Aztec and TaurusX do little more than occupy space.

And here, at the opposite end of the spectrum, we have concept cars. Picking up on everything a car buyer wants, these vehicles are prohibitively expensive to produce, appeal to very niche markets, and as such, are rarely ever more than fantastical reproductions stolen from a car guy’s dreams. But, that doesn’t make them any less awesome, and these SEMA concepts from Jeep are some of the most entertaining we’ve seen as of late.

First, there’s the familiar “Lower 40” Jeep Wrangler. Demonstrating that it is supposedly possible to stuff 40” tires under a stock Wrangler Rubicon, the “Lower 40” does make some concessions to concept car cool: first, the fenders (which sit 4” higher than stock to clear the huge tires) are a full inch wider. The windshield has been raked back and chopped, with an integral roll cage fitted as well.

Then, there’s the Jeep Overland. By far the most production ready of the concepts shown here, the Overland features a plethora of all-terrain aftermarket goodies like a roof top tent, awning, body protection, and mild 3” suspension lift. With 35” tires, it’s a great looking vehicle that, if never produced, will undoubtedly be emulated.