Stellantis, like Fiat Chrysler before it, has come out with a vast array of SEMA concepts to shock and awe opponents, fans, owners and the media into submission.
This year the American-French-Italian automaker is bringing seven concepts across three brands to Las Vegas.
Jeep Wrangler Overlook concept
For the Overlook concept, Jeep has lengthened the cabin by 305mm (12 inches in the old money), all of it seemingly behind the rear axle.
The longer body allows the Overlook to seat up to seven people with a brand new third row. Thanks to the bump in the custom-made roof, there’s 127mm (5 inches) of extra headroom for those unlucky enough to be stuck out back.
To improve outward visibility for those in the second and third rows, the roof bump incorporates three forward facing windows, and side windows. There’s also a flip-up glass sunroof for the driver and front passenger.
The best views, though, come when the roof is removed entirely.
This being a SEMA concept, Jeep has given it a 2-inch (51mm) lift kit, and 20-inch wheels with 37-inch mud tyres. There’s also a narrower front bumper, longer rear bumpers, LED lights built into the A-pillars, and a modified rear tyre carrier designed to fit the car’s larger rubber.
The cabin has been zhuzhed up with bronze contrast stitching, a leather wrapping for the dashboard, and seats with a mix of suede and black Katzkin leather.
No doubt there are more than a few larger families and outdoor tour companies eagerly anticipating a possible production version of the Overlook.
Kaiser Jeep M725 concept
Possibly the highlight of the Stellantis area is the M725 restomod, which began life as a 1967 Kaiser Jeep M725 military ambulance and has been converted into an off-road support vehicle.
Housed underneath the car’s widened wheel arches are 20-inch eight-lug wheels with 40-inch tyres.
Under the bonnet is a 6.4-litre V8 crate engine with 362kW and 644Nm that’s hooked up to an old-school TorqueFlite 727 automatic transmission. The original car’s leaf springs have been junked in favour of a heavy-duty link and coil suspension setup.
Reinforcements have been made to the M725’s frame, and there are also new rock rails made from heavy gauge steel coated in Durabull truck bedliner.
The cabin benefits from modern Wrangler low-back seats wrapped in tan-color canvas, and a unique steering wheel and column pair. Ahead of the driver are new gauges, and a display for the reversing camera.
An ammunition box has been transformed into a custom-made centre console to house the M725’s transmission and transfer case shifters.
The rear section of the car features a new roof that can be raised 406mm (16 inches). This allows people to stand there to retrieve items, or serve food and drink via the side panel that opens up on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Ram 1500 TRX RexRunner concept
Does the T-Rex, the self-proclaimed “quickest, fastest and most powerful truck ever”, need anything extra? The good people at Mopar sure think so.
The RexRunner is powered by the same supercharged 523kW/881Nm 6.2-litre V8 as the regular TRX.
It does however ride on new 18-inch Black Rhino Chamber alloy wheels with chunky 37-inch Goodyear tyres, and there’s a full-size spare mounted in the tray bed.
A custom-made front skid plate increases the approach angle by 2.3 degrees up to 32.5 degrees. There’s further protection offered by new rock rails and a rear skid plate.
Styling differences include black and blue accents, dual tow hooks, and a 355mm light bar mounted atop the RamBar that sits behind the C-pillar.
Step inside, and everything’s mostly carried over from the production TRX. The most notable changes are the stainless steel pedals with grippy rubber pads, and the easily-cleaned one-piece door panels and vinyl floors from the entry-level Tradesman model.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe concept
Eschewing years of tradition, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe concept at SEMA 2021 doesn’t have a funky name: it exists to prove the Wrangler 4xe with its 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid system has real off-road ability and to show off all the Jeep Performance Parts developed for it.
These include a 2-inch (51mm) lift kit with Fox shocks, tube doors, Beadlock-capable wheels, 37-inch tyres, underbody and A-pillar LED lights, Gorilla Glass windscreen, and a stamped steel bumper with a built-in winch.
Custom-made components for the concept include a vinyl floor with four drain plugs, an in-cabin rail system for holding phones and cameras, on-board compressor, and a tailgate trail-rail with cargo loops.
Ram 1500 Outdoorsman concept
Targeted at tradespeople who love going to the great outdoors on the weekend, the Outsdoorsman has the features of both a work truck and a weekend leisure pickup.
A concept two-height rack system runs above the full length of the tray, and can carry anything from ladders and plywood to kayaks, oars, bikes and fishing rods.
The tray itself features two sliding panels rated to carry up to 900kg each, allowing items to be more easily retrieved.
Flip down the tailgate, and it becomes a task bench suitable for cutting wood, or fixing bikes and skis. The tailgate on the Outdoorsman also includes a one-off T-track mounting system, and an insert for storing conversion charts and other equipment.
In addition to unique trim upgrades, the interior also has a work table with built-in measurement markings that slides out from the centre armrest.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Breckenridge concept
Whereas the other Jeep concepts in America’s gambling capital put an emphasis on off-road ability, the Breckenridge is all about luxury.
The exterior has bronze accents, and a two-tone paint scheme with a glossy top and matte bottom. It is paired with 21-inch gloss black alloy wheels, and a black Thule roof box.
Inside there’s a blue quilted leather, satin walnut trim, and a mix of bronze and black accents. There’s also a set of blue pillows and hard-shell luggage from Olivet.
Dodge Challenger Holy Guacamole concept
Based on the Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody 50th Anniversary limited edition, the Holy Guacamole doesn’t offer any extra performance, but is said to channel the vibe of the 1970s.
The exterior has a unique paint finish dubbed Rotten Avocado, which contrasts sharply with the side stripes and “gold school” shaker bonnet scoop. Changes in the engine bay are limited to new air intake, conical air filter and revised air box.
It rides on 20-inch alloys and a lowered suspension setup.
Inside you’ll find wood panel trim — groovy, baby — while the seats and door trim feature yellow and green plaid inserts that are a homage to the original 1970 Challenger.
MORE: Everything Jeep Wrangler
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MORE: Everything Ram 1500
