What's the news?
Well, not only did Jeep bring an interesting new concept car to the SEMA show in Las Vegas, it also picked up an award for doing so - the 'Hottest 4x4-SUV' trophy from the show's organisers. What's SEMA? It's the Specialist Equipment Market Association show, held annually in Las Vegas, which allows car makers to show off their aftermarket and tuning options to hordes of hungry modifiers and tuners. Expect lots of chrome and massively over-sized wheels.
Actually, the Wrangler Red Rock is a little bit understated by SEMA standards. It's a concept for now but will become a very limited edition, 50 only, production model. It's designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Behind the Rocks off-road event, organised by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers off-roading club. That first trail event took place in 1967 at a place which would become part of the Jeep legend - Moab, Utah. Now, Moab hosts the massive Jeep Jamboree every year, a massive celebration of all things Jeep.
"The Jeep Wrangler is the most accessorised vehicle in our portfolio, with almost 100 per cent of customers buying at least one accessory or performance part," said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA - Global - who also collected an award at SEMA for 'Hottest 4x4-SUV." "Mopar continues to support serious off-roaders by offering a full-line of high-end, hard-core quality aftermarket Jeep Performance Parts to personalise their rides and tackle extreme trails."
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-colour 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.