As usual, Jeep->ke40 has found a very interesting way to celebrate Easter: with an annual Easter Jeep Safari taking place in Moab, Utah. The event is already in its 47th edition and will be attended by thousands of diehard off-road enthusiasts. Jeep and Mopar will be presenting a series of concept cars specially developed for the event.

The first from the list is the Wrangler Mopar Recon. It features an authoritative gray exterior paint combined with numerous Mopar add-ons: front and rear half-door and window kits, front and rear off-road bumpers, rock rails, a canvas soft top and headlamps with LED lights. For the interior, the concept adds custom seats made from Navy blankets and Navy camouflage material.

Under the hood, the concept gets something that all Wrangler traditionalists have been craving: a nasty V-8 engine. Just how nasty? Oh, “only” a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 crate engine that delivers a total of 470 ponies to help you better tackle just about any terrain or hillside. This massive 6.4-liter engine comes mated to a five-speed automatic transmission – boo – with a set of Dana 60 front and rear axles with 4.10-to-1 guts on the inside.

Being an off-road concept, Mopar opted for Jeep Performance Parts prototype forged eight-lug beadlock wheels wrapped in 39-inch off-road tires. Also to help you take on the toughest terrain, the Wrangler Recon also features a long-arm lift kit.

Oh, how badly we want to see this nasty machine hit production. Unfortunately, the Wrangler is only becoming tamer at its ripe old age. Maybe someday…

UPDATE 04/02/13: Jeep has released a new set of photos of its Moab Easter Safari line-up. Check out the off-road shots of the Wrangler Recon in the gallery!

2013 Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Jeep Wrangler Mopar Recon
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 470
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

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