If the SEMA Auto Show->ke216 ever had a name-game award to give to the most appropriately named concept in attendance, the Jeep Renegade Riptide ought to be in the running. Specifically styled for surfing trips in the summer, the Renegade Riptide doesn’t shortchange you with a fancy name and nothing to back it up. It even looks a lot more practical than similar concepts we’ve seen in the past. Remember the 2009 Kial Soulster? How about the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Beach Battle Cruiser or the 2012 Toyota Tacoma Oakley Surf?

The Renegade Riptide is packaged similarly to those other concepts.->ke169 The only difference is that I can actually see the Renegade Riptide being sold in Jeep->ke40 dealerships sooner than later. It’s the perfect look for the diminutive Renegade too, especially since the model is still trying to carve a niche within the Jeep lineup. The Wrangler->ke425 has its corner, as does the Grand Cherokee->ke936 and by extension, the Cherokee. That leaves the small crossover->ke288 Renegade to own the young, up-and-coming market. The Renegade Riptide perfectly showcases that with a combination of stylish looks and useful, new equipment.

I’m a big fan of this model because it clearly knows what it is and doesn’t try to do anything that might run contrary to its identity. The Renegade is a hip, small crossover targeted for the beach-going crowd. No more is that evident than with the Renegade Riptide, which Jeep will proudly display at the 2014 SEMA Auto Show.

Click past the jump to read more about the Jeep Renegade Riptide.

Jeep Renegade Riptide in detail

The Renegade Riptide’s Vibrance Grandeur Blue paint is the type of chrome-like finish that sparkles under the summer sun. Maybe that’s why Jeep decided to dress it up in that shade, which also blends well with the satin-black accents on the front grille, mirror caps, and some areas of the front fascia. If for nothing else, the blue shade reminds me of clear-blue waters, which in turn reminds you of pristine beaches.

Speaking of surfing, the Renegade Riptide predictably comes with a surfer decal on the rear quarter-panels and its own surfboard rack on the roof. Nothing speaks more clearly to the Renegade Riptide’s purpose than the surfboard sitting idly on its roof.

Rounding out the exterior upgrades a set of black, alloy wheels that look good with the aforementioned satin-black accents.

The interior of the Renegade Riptide receives the Vibrance Grandeur Blue color in the form of blue trim that enhances the look of the instrument and side panels of the Renegade. However, instead of satin-black accents, Jeep opted for cleaner-looking white accents spread throughout the cabin. The front and rear seats receive black leather while the teak floor mats were added to reinforce the concept’s “sun, sands, and surf” theme.

I’m personally interested to see how the cabin looks like up close. The combination of the Vibrance Grandeur Blue paint and the matching white accents definitely has my attention and I’d love to see what it actually looks like as a finished product.

Don’t expect any engine upgrades on the Renegade Riptide. What you can expect is the same 1.4-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine found in the Fiat 500L. The engine produces 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, and mates to a six-speed manual transmission. As an option, Jeep also offers a 2.4-liter, Tiger Shark engine that produces 184 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, and pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

2015 Jeep Renegade