Perhaps one of the most capable members of the 2015 Easter Jeep Safari concept vehicles is this – the Wrangler Africa. It’s designed for extreme overland adventures like those you might conjure up containing an original Land Rover rolling through the wild planes of the Serengeti.

Come to think about it, the Wrangler Africa takes plenty of cues from the Land Rover Defender wagon.->ke1858 That’s especially true with the raised roof and its black cargo rack, along with the extended rear section and barn door hatch. Despite its obvious inspiration, this Jeep->ke40 is ready to make its own path.

Jeep engineers worked their magic on the greasy bits of this Wrangler, making it ready for an extended trip off road. That’s good news as the Jeep will join its six concept siblings in Moab, Utah during the 2015 EJS. The event takes place March 28th through April 5th.

Continue reading to learn more about the Jeep Wrangler Africa.

2015 Jeep Wrangler Africa

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Jeep Wrangler Africa
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 197
  • Torque: 339
  • Transmission: five-speed automatic
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Wrangler Africa looks like the run-of-the-mill Wrangler from the C-pillar forward. Its doors, hood, and front clip are all as they rolled of the assembly line. Things get different up top and out back. First, engineers extended the Wrangler’s length behind the rear axle. The extra room brings more interior storage space and allows the full-size spare tire to fit below the body. The roof is fitted with a small raised section complete with a full cargo rack. From the look of things, this hard top is permanent.

The Jeep is then fitted with the same steel bumper from the Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock and Rubicon X editions. It includes provisions for an electric winch, which Jeep has exploited here. Two driving lights provide nighttime guidance.

Guy wires run from the hood to the roof for keeping tree branches from smashing the windshield. Jerry cans are attached to the front fenders for extra fuel storage. “Power Step” rock rails protect the rocker panels from damage while providing a solid place to step.

Around back, the rear bumper is again borrowed from the Wrangler Hard Rock, only this one has extensions that reach toward the rear tire. The extensions also provide extra steps for easy access to the roof rack. Unlike the standard Wrangler, the Africa concept features a full, barn-door-style rear door.

Admittedly, the extended design and full rear door look fantastic.

Interior

Jeep doesn’t mention much about the interior changes on the Wrangler Africa besides its floor coverings. The entire body tub is coated in white truck bed lining. The thick coating protects the steel from damage and corrosion while giving a grippy surface.

The single photo provides clues as to this Jeep’s trim level. The mocha brown leather seats suggest this Wrangler started life as a Sahara edition, meaning the dash is upgraded with navigation from the 730n Uconnect system.

Drivetrain

Here’s where the fun picks back up again. Engineers fitted this Wrangler with the Euro-spec 2.8-liter, four-cylinder turbodiesel. The engine produces 197 horsepower and a respectable 339 pound-feet of torque. The common rail diesel is mated to Chrysler’s aging five-speed automatic transmission. Despite the lack of a manual transmission, the diesel provides more than enough power to crawl over any obstacle.

Other parts borrowed from the Rubicon are the Dana 44 axles front and rear. The stronger axles provide an excellent foundation for the Jeep and likely hold some lower gears and lockers – though Jeep hasn’t mentioned any of that information.

A two-inch suspension lift, Fox shocks, and aggressive, 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM2 tires mounted on 17-inch steel wheels add even more capability to the recipe.

Conclusion

All told, the Wrangler Africa is a competent off-roader with the bones of a Jeep and the heart of a Land Rover. While the Jeep purists (like myself) might have a hard time getting past that, this concept proves that the Wrangler is a versatile machine that can be adapted to nearly any application.

Sadly, this Jeep will almost certainly never enter production – at least not in the U.S. Even still, it’s great to see Jeep take such a bold design step and showcase it for thousands to see at the Easter Jeep Safari.