Jeep has rolled out its lineup of concept cars for the 2023 Easter Jeep Safari, and one got me hooked right away. This is a bit surprising because my automotive sensibilities typically center around on-road handling, so while I respect Jeeps immensely, I couldn’t see myself wanting to own a Wrangler. However, every so often, something is just so bonkers that I adore it. This is the Jeep Scrambler 392 concept, an Easter Jeep Safari concept that I’m really stoked for.
The old CJ-8 Scrambler was a wicked small pickup with a single-cab and four-wheel-drive, and the Scrambler 392 looks to honor that heritage. Featuring a chopped roof, raked windscreen, tiny bumpers, and chunky beveled side panels, this is about what I’d imagine a sports Jeep with a bed to look like. In this particularly bold shade of green, it looks like someone put a Wrangler and a Pontiac Stinger in a blender, in the best possible way.
Best of all, it’ll really move thanks to a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. While that’s not quite the same thrust as the electric Magneto concept, nor does that thrust make it to the wheels through a manual gearbox; the simple fact is that the regular, automatic-only 392 Wrangler is an absolute riot. Only Stellantis would look at a vehicle with no sense of what dead-ahead is and think “this should move and sound like an Xfinity Series car.” Conceptually, the Scrambler 392 is like that, just a little bit more so thanks to weight-saving carbon fiber bodywork like the hood, fender flares, and roof.
While the Scrambler 392 looks high and mighty in photos, it can squat down to a more reasonable height thanks to an adjustable lift kit from AccuAir. Drop the pressure and you have a 1.5-inch lift kit. Pump it up and you’re looking at 5.5 inches of additional clearance. This air-enhanced suspension system sounds great for city-dwellers, as it affords gnarly clearance while still allowing Jeeps to fit in certain parking garages with the suspension aired down.
While 20-inch wheels on an off-roader sound inappropriate, they work surprisingly well when paired with massive 40-inch tires that offer plenty of sidewall. By the way, those wheels are painted the same lovely shade of bronze, dubbed Brass Monkey, as the tow hooks. Nice. For an added bit of bombast, the hood over the engine is transparent, a bit like on a C6 Corvette ZR1. That’s just plain cool. While I’m not thrilled by the Rubicon 20th Anniversary Edition-style grille, the rest of the Scrambler 392’s visual treatment more than makes up for the questionable mug.
The inside is equally-loud. Dark leather seats get lime green stitching to match the exterior and dashboard, along with a wicked set of blue and green plaid inserts made out of some pop punk band’s lead singer’s shorts. As a cherry on top, the dashboard gets an awesome giant sticker that says “392,” letting everyone know what’s under the hood.
[Editor’s Note: I’m curious about rear visibility around those thick B-pillars. I’ll also note that this Jeep is’t that lightweight at just 450 pounds less hefty than the four-door Wrangler Unlimited on which it’s based. Still, it’s awesome. -DT].
What we have here is a bonafide sports Jeep, a wicked one-off that employs a classic formula for fun: Cut weight, chop top, add buckets of power, paint it something loud. While we likely won’t see a production Jeep that looks anything like the Scrambler 392, I’m glad this off-the-leash exercise exists. If the combustion engine is essentially dying, we might as well have some fun in its final years.
(Photo credits: Jeep)
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The styling is pretty “neo tech”, but I’d drive it. Offroad, if it were somebody else’s. Looks like a helluva lot of fun!
I should know this, but: has Jeep explained why they’ve ruined the grille on 2024 Wranglers? Is this an aerodynamics/fuel efficiency move?
Such a shame.
The only thing I want from any of these concepts is a factory version of the clear hood.
They’re pretty sad this year.
Will there be any Autopian staff at Easter Jeep Week in Moab?
Not for me. Love the plaid seats though.
I promise those 20″ wheels are to clear the big brakes this thing would need.
Jeep has shown a lot of concepts with plaid seats over the last few years. It’s time they get brave enough to put them in production!
The seats are literally the only part of this truck I care about
As a former Scrambler owner, I watched with dismay when the Gladiator arrived as just another bloated, four-door model. That year Jeep teased an intriguing blue, two-door version at Easter Safari that -whisper, whisper – just might see production. Just not in this universe, apparently. Now they roll out another two-door concept that not only will Stellantis never build, but lacks all the practical aspects of the original Scrambler. How about stop stuffing Hemis in everything and bolting on 40-inch tires and just produce a true compact pickup like the Scrambler or Comanche. Does that sound like a concept?
Have you seen the 4xe Single Cab Gladiator that was built for SEMA last year? Same wheel base as a Wrangler with a lengthened Gladiator bed. I’m sure you’ll be seeing it a lot in the coming weeks because it will actually be running trails in Moab.
I did see that. Until it appears in a showroom near me, I’m not holding my breath. Also, I don’t want an EV (yet), though a hybrid might be acceptable.
Oh, I have full faith that it will never see production. But one can dream.
Take my money Jeep! I’ll buy this tomorrow if it’s under $100K.
At the very least, give us some interesting interior materials like those plaid seats.