Project Kahn’s interpretations of the many vehicles crossing its path always end up being tremendous in their own right. From the Porsche Panamera to the Audi R8, the tuner’s packages always come out clean and astounding. Seemingly conquering the aftermarket sports car segment, Project Kahn has now moved on to rock climbers, mountaineers, and off-roaders with their new branch, the Chelsea Truck Company. The new branch’s first task will be to transform a slew of Jeep Wranglers Project Kahn has gotten its hands on.
Chelsea Truck Company’s first conversion of the Jeep Wrangler is subtle and includes a targa roof, specially designed 18 and 20 inch RS wheels in matte black, telescopic headlights, and clear side lights. The inside is striking with red facia dials and claret red quilted perforated leather. Other optional extras are available, but no other details have been released.
The price for the new Jeep Wrangler is £26,875 ($44,000 at the current exchange rates) for the diesel version and £27,875 ($45,700 at the current rates) for the petrol version.
"Our discerning customers made it clear that the Project Kahn Jeep Wrangler is a stylish icon, and the only way to compliment our distinct clientele was to develop a brand aimed towards this distinct vehicle and the Chelsea truck company compliments our commitment to the Kahn expedition brand, and rest assured, this is only the beginning, we will introduce a range of vehicles over the coming weeks and months ahead."
The Jeep Wrangler is not only one of the most capable off road vehicles ever made, but also one of the most historically significant. The first Jeep vehicle to wear the Wrangler badge actually appeared in 1987, yet its roots go back to the 1941 Willy MB Army Jeep. That quarter ton vehicle carried the United States military through conflict after conflict essentially until invention of the HUMVEE.
Today, the Wrangler remains a favorite amongst the off-roading crowd and tends to be heavily modified by many. The new 2011 Jeep Wrangler body has given this classic vehicle a new lease on life, especially as far as the interior goes. These off road behemoths can now become capable on the outside and full of comfort on the inside. Hundreds of parts and accessories companies exist for the Wrangler, but the most complete and radical designs have come from a young company by the name of Hauk Designs.
If you have been in the off-road marketplace then the name River Raider Off Road may come to mind and this new full service company has come out of that. We recently spoke with Kenny Hauk of Hauk Designs and talked to him about the various models that the company now builds for its customers. He mentioned that the custom designed and fabricated parts that River Raider was building became so popular that his customers were asking to have their Jeeps completely built by the company. The current business plan features three distinct models each with a myriad of options to choose from.
Hit the jump for more details on the Hauk Jeep Wranglers.
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Jeep knows how to strut its stuff when it comes to special editions for their rugged lineup of vehicles. We’ve already seen a number of them primed and ready for the 45th Moab Jeep Easter Safari, but the New York Auto Show is getting its own special models, one of them being the Wrangler Mojave. The Mojave pays tribute to the well-known and rugged Mojave Trail and it will go on sale at a starting price of $29,195, excluding the $750 destination fee.
The new Mojave edition is based on the Wrangler Sport and features a unique desert theme inside and out. The exterior features a body-color hardtop and fender flares, "Mojave" and lizard decals on the hood and rear, the Sahara model’s side steps, and a new set of mineral gray 17-inch wheels shod with 32-inch tires. There are three colors to choose from: Sahara Tan, Bright White, and Black combined with a black fuel filler door and taillamp guards.
The interior follows in the desert theme with dark saddle leather and a lizard logo embossed on the front seats. There is also a unique driftwood surrounding the vents, front-passenger grab handle, steering-wheel spokes, and door-handle inserts.
Project Kahn is just cranking out tuning projects. We just reported on the Panamera RS600 upgrade kit, now the British tuner has revealed the Silver Jeep Wrangler package, a sportier and aggressively smoother version of the package unveiled at the beginning of 2011.
The new Silver edition has received a lowered suspension and a new set of RS wheels, size 9 X 20 and wrapped in 275 x 55 x 20 tires. For the interior, the tuner added a whole new personalized bespoke leather treatment. In fact, all of the interior will be tailor-made to the customer’s own specifications. However, like with the previous package, no changes were made under the hood.
"This is not only an adventurous vehicle it is a style icon – well groomed and bursting with aggression. The vehicle ascertains personality and strength, and would not look out of place in both rough terrain and the city center," said Afzal Kahn.
The 45th Moab Easter Jeep Safari isn’t scheduled until April 16, 2011, but even this early, Jeep is already giving us a look at what to expect when the annual event commences in a little over a week’s time.
The annual tradition for Jeep and Chrysler’s aftermarket company Mopar has become a must-attend event for Jeep and Mopar fans alike. This year, the event is going to have six new concepts, including the monstrous and imposing Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush.
In what Jeep describes as an off-terrain monster that combines “high-speed off-road racing and rock-crawling capability," the Wrangler Blue Crush’s powertrain is anything but a tweeting little bird. Sitting under the utility vehicle’s hood is a Mopar 426 cubic-inch HEMI V8 engine with an output of 540 horsepower and mated to a 545RFE performance transmission and a gear-drive transfer-case.
Apart from the hulking engine and powerful performance capabilities, the Blue Crush also sports a baja-style full cage, short aluminum bumpers, a special off-road suspension system with internal bypass shocks, a front stabilizer bar, full hydro-steering, and in case you haven’t noticed yet, a set of 39” tires that are as imposing as they are useful in allowing the off-road vehicle to navigate rocky and uneven terrains.
There’s absolutely nothing cute and funky about this beastly off-roader. The Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush means serious business.
UPDATE 11/07/2011: The Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush was displayed at the current SEMA Show and we were there to take some live shots. Find them in the picture gallery and let us know what you think about this extreme Wrangler.
