Originally teased as a one-off concept at the 2025 Easter Jeep Safari, the enthusiast response was so loud that Stellantis actually listened and put it into production. Serving as the halfway point (the sixth release) in their yearlong “Twelve 4 Twelve” campaign, the Rewind editions prove that Jeep knows exactly how to hit us right in the feels while delivering the modern capability we actually need for the weekend trails and the daily carpool.

The design team completely leaned into the era of roller skates, 8-bit arcade games, and bold geometric patterns (yes, think of those iconic ’90s food court cups). But they managed to pull it off with a premium touch.

• The Stance: Gold accent wheels and matching gold tow hooks give it a totally unique, retro-forward pop against the painted body-color fender flares.
• The Graphics: Multicolor exterior decals that look like they were pulled straight from the mixtape era.
• The Cabin: Inside, you get bespoke Nappa Leather seats featuring 8-bit arcade-inspired embossing, era-appropriate accent stitching, and a very cool dot-matrix-inspired shift knob cap.

As we’ve seen with previous test drives, the Willys trim is the absolute sweet spot for getting serious off-road hardware and an aggressive look without completely breaking the bank. The Rewind editions are built directly on this proven foundation. This isn’t just a flashy sticker package; you are still getting genuine trail credibility:

• Steel rock rails and aggressive off-road tires.
• A locking rear differential and Off-Road+ mode.
• Trailer hitch and programmable auxiliary switches.
• Modern creature comforts that we didn’t have back in the day, like the 7-inch driver display, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start.

The Rewind package is available on both the Wrangler and the Gladiator, meaning you can get that open-air pickup utility wrapped in a serious retro aesthetic.

The limited-run color palette includes a mix of vibrant and classic shades: Bright White, Granite Crystal, Gloss Black, Hydro Blue, Joose, Reign, Earl (Wrangler only), and of course, that gorgeous Anvil grey we absolutely love on the Gladiator.

The best part? This entire nostalgia trip is priced at just $1,900 over a comparably equipped Willys model. Order banks open in May, which is the perfect time to secure one for summer cruising. Who’s ready to dig out their old CDs?

This specific loaner showed up in Anvil Grey, which, in my opinion, is an absolutely gorgeous color. (I really wanted Anvil when I bought a ’17 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, but ended up with Rhino which was also cool.)

The Willys package always hits the sweet spot for styling, with the blacked-out wheels, a black grille and exterior accents. It completely transforms the stance and makes the Gladiator look significantly more expensive than its actual sticker price.

Step inside, and you’re met with the standard “new” Wrangler and Gladiator interior—which is to say, it’s remarkably nice. Jeep has completely elevated the cabin with modern touches, most notably that massive new 12.3-inch horizontal touchscreen dominating the dash. It feels premium, quick, and lightyears ahead of the older generations (and it handles Apple CarPlay flawlessly).

But the absolute best part of the interior design? Jeep didn’t jump on the trend of burying every single function inside a digital menu. Unlike so many other modern vehicles where you have to tap a screen three times just to turn down the AC or adjust your heated seats, the Gladiator is still packed with hands-on, physical buttons. From the chunky climate control dials and center-mounted window switches to the dedicated off-road toggles and the beefy manual transfer case shifter, you have immediate control over the vehicle.

From a practical, daily-driving perspective, you immediately notice the length. Parking requires that typical wide-swinging pickup truck math, but that’s exactly what you sign up for when you want a bed on the back. What really surprised me, though, was the ride quality. I fully expected an unweighted Jeep truck to have a light, jumpy back end over bumps, but the suspension felt remarkably planted and composed, even when the bed was completely empty. It handled the highway runs and local errands with ease and was a pleasure to drive.

You can’t have a Willys sitting in the driveway and not take it off the pavement. I took it out into the wild at the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area to see how it handled the local terrain. While South Florida woods don’t offer extreme rock-crawling or any true off-roading, Corbett provides plenty of mud to play in. The Gladiator ate it all up effortlessly. It was genuinely enjoyable to wheel through the trails, and it felt just as sure-footed cruising back home on the pavement in the rain.

After a week of driving it, my takeaway is this: The Gladiator is built for the person who loves the Jeep lifestyle but absolutely needs a bed. If you want the iconic styling, the off-road capability, and a place to toss muddy gear, wet dogs, or oversized shop supplies, it is an absolute no-brainer. For those who want that unmistakable Jeep freedom with the added utility of a tailgate, the Gladiator Willys completely delivers.

This new plug-in hybrid is a tribute to the original 1941 Willys MB, combining old-school military style with the latest technology from Stellantis. The ’41 Edition is all about the details, and one thing that really stands out is the color – a classic Olive Drab paint job that’s a perfect army green shade. It’s not just the body that’s painted this way, either – the roof and wheels are all covered in the same vintage hue, giving the whole vehicle a really cool, retro look. The flat black ’41 hood decal and black accents (grille, door handles, fuel door, bumpers) are a perfect contrast to make the green look even better.

When it comes to wheels, this edition of the Jeep really stands out with its durable and retro-style closed wheels. They look like they’re built for tough jobs, giving the Willys a strong, no-nonsense look that’s perfect for heavy-duty use. At the same time, they don’t go overboard – they just add to the overall utilitarian vibe of the vehicle, keeping it grounded and ready for action.

I used to have a Jeep JK with a hard top, but storing the heavy panels after removing them was a real pain. And getting the entire roof off required some help. And let’s be honest, dealing with a traditional soft top can be a hassle too. But this ’41 Jeep I got is a total game-changer – it came with a hard top that’s painted to match the body, and it’s paired with a power-sliding soft top insert, which Jeep calls the Sky One-Touch Power Top. It’s literally the coolest solution I’ve seen, making it so much easier to switch between the two.

You get the best of both worlds – the sleek look and quiet ride of a hardtop, plus the freedom of an open-top car. With just the touch of a button, you can open up the whole roof and let the sunshine in, even when you’re stopped at a red light. It’s a really cool feature that makes driving a lot more fun, especially on a sunny day in a place like Florida.

When you step inside the cabin, it’s just what you’d expect from a modern Jeep Wrangler, but with a noticeable touch of refinement. The materials used to finish the interior are a huge improvement over the older models, giving it a much more upscale feel.

The main thing that stands out in the new Wrangler is the huge touchscreen, which makes the entertainment and off-road systems feel really modern. Plus, if you’re like me and you like being able to feel buttons and controls, you’ll love all the switches and knobs they’ve still included. I love the level switch flip set up — it’s like sitting in a real command center, with everything at your fingertips.

On the inside of the tailgate, there’s a special plaque that’s like a little piece of American history. It’s basically a blueprint that tells a story, and it’s a great touch that makes the ’41 Edition really special. This small detail is a great example of how Jeep likes to hide clever little design elements in their vehicles, and it’s definitely something that sets them apart. The plaque is more than just a nice design feature, it’s also a way to connect with the past and appreciate the history of America.

The main picture shows a great diagram of the original military Willys MB, and how it was packed for war. But what really makes it special is the little soldier saluting in the corner. If you look really closely, you can see he’s standing on a small flat plate, which is a nice reminder of the old green plastic army toys that lots of us played with when we were kids.

This plaque is not just a pretty picture with an American flag and the shapes of Michigan and Ohio on it. It is a way of saying thank you to the people who served in the war and celebrates the fact that American factories built the Jeep. I love it.

I wanted to capture the Wrangler in its natural habitat, so I took some photos in a parking lot, hah. But that wasn’t enough. I had to get it dirty, just to, you know, test it out. I took it off-road in the woods of South Florida, and it handled like a dream. The 4xe powertrain isn’t just about saving fuel, it’s also great for crawling over rough terrain like roots and loose dirt. The instant electric torque, 33″ tires and Willys suspension made it feel effortless. And when I wanted to sneak up on some wildlife to get a great photo, the electric only mode was perfect – it was so quiet, I didn’t startle them at all.

Over the week I had this ’41, I went all over South Florida in style. The Willys was right at home everywhere — the mall, J.W. Corbett, the Police Hall of Fame, school car line, and everywhere in between. The ’41 Willys 4xe was fun, good looking and capable for all of it!

“Jeep is one of the fastest growing imported brands in China and this is our largest Jeep market outside the U.S.,” said Mike Manley Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific and President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “It makes sense for us to use this year’s Beijing Motor Show as a platform to explore how consumers react to these new Chinese-inspired ideas that may find their way into future production vehicles.”

Jeep Zi You Xia Design Concept
Following its world premiere appearances at the 2014 Geneva and New York auto shows, the all-new Jeep Renegade now debuts as a special design concept in Beijing.  Zi You Xia, which means “rebel”, is a new concept that highlights a more sophisticated aspect of the Renegade’s personality.

Inspired by the colors of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the concept is finished in a Warm Chocolate Gray with a contrasting Dark Anodized Bronze color accentuating the grille throats, front fog lamp bezels, rear lower fascia, skidplate, tail lamp insert bezel and badging.

The roof panel, grille surrounds and door mirror caps are painted a Dark Charcoal to provide harmonious accents and a more premium appearance throughout. Unique 20-inch, Dark Anodized Bronze alloy wheels contribute additional visual flair as well as hinting at the vehicle’s outstanding on-road and off-road driving dynamics.

The interior of the concept boasts an energetic ambience with rugged and functional details crafted in high quality materials. The Piano Black color is accompanied by grey A-pillars and headliner. The air vents, speaker bezel, gear shifter, steering wheel bezels, cup holder and door release handles are finished in an Anodized Copper, reflecting the metallic color common in sports equipment. The rich brown leather upholstery on the seats and door panels feature ‘ombre’ grey/black plaid fabric inserts, that were inspired by traditional menswear suiting and tailored patterns, adding just the right touch of sophistication to the sporty Zi You Xia.

True to the Jeep brand’s heritage, the all-new Renegade is the most capable small SUV and the first in the world to offer a nine-speed automatic transmission. Designed for global markets and manufactured with up to 16 powertrain combinations – the most ever in a Jeep vehicle – it has been engineered to meet the specific requirements of customers all around the world.

The sleek Pitch Black exterior of Wrangler Level Red is decorated by a TorRed prototype graphic stripe that runs along the top of the hood near the bottom of the windshield and halfway down the body sides. The front and rear of the vehicle are well-guarded by “Rubicon 10th Anniversary” bumpers, with prototype black “Aero” bumper ends and an under-bumper skid plate providing more protection. Wrangler Level Red rides on prototype 17 x 8-inch beadlock-capable wheels, accented with TorRed color on the beadlock ring. The wheels carry aggressive 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires, available through the Mopar Tireworks program.
Jeep Wrangler Level Red is modified with a Mopar half-door kit, and additional exterior upgrades include a prototype Jeep Performance Parts tire carrier, a locking gas cap, a hood prop kit and Jeep Performance Parts rock rails. Wrangler Level Red also sports badges for each of the five trails in Moab recognized by the Jeep brand as “Badge of Honor” trails. (Through the Jeep brand’s Badge of Honor program, Jeep vehicle owners can earn special vehicle badges once they conquer any of more than 30 approved, high-profile trails across the United States.)

The interior of Wrangler Level Red complements the feel of the exterior. The Tuscany Katzkin leather seats are embellished with red stitching, which also is featured on the arm rest. Flame Red color brings alive the seat belt webbing, while HVAC rings are painted with TorRed inserts and roll bar padding in the rear also features red accents. The interior is further upgraded with a gloss black look on the steering wheel spokes and dash grab handle. Additional accessories include a prototype Jeep Cargo Management System (JCMS) with a tow-strap bag and first aid bag on the rear swing gate, all-weather floor mats, grab handles, and a lockable storage bin under the seat.

Jeep Wrangler MOJO
The Jeep Wrangler MOJO (the “OJ” in the name stands for “Orange Jeep”) is geared for the off-road enthusiast who seeks an even tougher vehicle with the functionality to tackle the most extreme trails. A Jeep Performance Parts 2-inch lift provides the clearance to traverse obstacles, with locking Dana 44 front and rear axles and a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case adding to Wrangler MOJO’s rock-climbing capabilities. Wrangler MOJO’s crawl ratio is 59:1. The vehicle’s 3.6-liter V-6 engine is augmented with a cold air intake and low restriction exhaust system.
The Bright Orange exterior of Wrangler MOJO is defended by prototype Jeep Performance Parts “Shorty” bumpers and prototype flat-top fenders, with 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires wrapped around prototype beadlock wheels, accented with Mopar Bronze on the beadlock ring. The Mopar “Rubicon X” hood is ornamented by prototype topographical graphics that contain bronze “mapping” accents and flow down to the side panels. Additional trail enhancements include a Jeep Performance Parts “Rubicon X” front bumper, an under-bumper skid plate and a prototype Jeep Performance Parts winch. Jeep Performance Parts rock rails are added to further protect Wrangler MOJO from boulders and rocks on extreme trails.
Prototype LED headlamps and fog lamps help make night trips on the trail easier, and front and rear prototype two-tone half-door kits and a soft top further add to the open-air fun and freedom all Wrangler vehicles offer. A Badge of Honor plate is added to show the trails Wrangler MOJO has mastered, and a prototype Jeep Performance Parts tire carrier gives support to the spare tire. The five Moab “Badge of Honor” badges also appear on Wrangler MOJO.
The purposeful interior of Wrangler MOJO is perfect for the off-roader not afraid of dust or mud. The two-tone instrument panel and console complement black Katzkin seat covers and provide for simple cleaning. With the carpet removed, rugged all-weather floor mats shield the interior, and a Mopar sunbonnet and roll bar pads are trimmed in a Driftwood sand color, matching Wrangler MOJO’s overall appearance. A Mopar lockable rear cargo tray keeps valuables safe.

Jeep Wrangler Maximum Performance
Jeep Wrangler Maximum Performance speaks to the hard-core enthusiasts who spend every spare minute on the trail and seek the ultimate in power and capability so they can go where others cannot. Wrangler Maximum Performance is armed with new Jeep Performance Parts-exclusive push-button electric-locking Dana 60 axles at the front and rear, as well as 4.88 gearing and the 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case to better hurdle any trail impediments. A prototype Jeep Performance Parts 4-inch lift kit also raises the vehicle. Wrangler Maximum Performance boasts a 70:1 crawl ratio.
On the exterior, a prototype Jeep Performance Parts “Stinger” front bumper can handle whatever the terrain dishes out, especially when paired with a front bumper skid plate, Jeep Performance Parts Rubicon rock rails and a prototype flattop fender kit. A Mopar black grille dresses up the front, which also is modified with a prototype Jeep Performance Parts winch, and prototype LED lights mounted to the top of the vehicle to shine bright during nighttime off-road maneuvers. A prototype graphics package signifying the Moab landscape adorns the hood.
The Mopar Blue exterior is linked in appearance to the prototype eight-lug beadlock wheels by the Mopar Blue color on the beadlock ring. Wrangler Maximum Performance rides on 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires, with the sturdy hardtop covering full steel doors. The rear of the vehicle receives a prototype tire carrier and a 37-inch spare tire cover featuring the Jeep Performance Parts logo. Wrangler Maximum Performance also sports the five Moab “Badge of Honor” badges.
Mopar Blue is also featured inside, highlighting the HVAC bezels and steering wheel accents. Katzkin leather seats with embroidered Jeep logos feature blue accent stitching, as does the leather armrest. The interior is further enhanced with satin trim on the instrument panel, shift knob and HVAC controls, while the steering wheel spokes and dash grab handles are underscored in black.

Jeep Cherokee Adventurer
The Jeep Cherokee Adventurer boasts Trailhawk 4×4 capability, including a 48:1 crawl ratio with added utility and cargo convenience for off-road adventures, and a host of Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar.
The tan exterior is accented to the Trailhawk black hood decal. A prototype matte black Mopar roof basket rides on top, with a bungee net holding down cargo. Below, aggressive BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires are mounted on prototype 17-inch wheels, embellished with aluminum granite crystal and black pockets.
Jeep Performance Parts rock rails provide formidable off-road defense, and further protection is added courtesy of a two-piece underbody skid plate, a front suspension skid plate, an oil tank skid plate and a two-piece fuel tank skid plate. Red tow hooks adorn the front.
Inside the Cherokee Adventurer, black Katzkin leather seats, with perforated inserts, draw even more attention with maize-embroidered Jeep logos and maize stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, arm rest and shift boot. The HVAC bezels, instrument panel, steering wheel and door switch bezels are upgraded with tan inserts to match the exterior color. The Jeep Cargo Management System is displayed with a Trailhawk bag, and is joined by a location-appropriate prototype Moab off-road bag. Bright door sill guards with the Cherokee logo, all-weather mats and a cargo tray complete the interior Mopar accessories.Jeep Cherokee Dakar
The Jeep Cherokee Dakar is the most extreme Cherokee ever. The Silver Steel Satin Gloss exterior skin is strikingly set off with prototype Flame Red graphics that encircle the window and wrap around the black hood graphic. The Trailhawk 17-inch polished Satin clear coat wheels feature two large Flame Red pockets, with the Cherokee nameplate also changed to a Flame Red hue.
Front-end features are enhanced by two prototype Flame Red inserts on the traditional Jeep seven-slot grille, as well as through a prototype lower fascia trim. Cherokee Dakar is fortified for off-road action, equipped with Jeep Performance Parts rock rails, an oil pan skid plate, front suspension skid plate, two-piece fuel tank and underbody skid plates.
Cherokee Dakar’s wheel openings have been modified in order to accommodate larger 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires. The rough-and-ready look rises with a prototype Jeep Performance Parts lift kit, and additional suspension modifications help make it the most extreme Cherokee yet. Prototype wider fender flares with riveted bolts give a tougher appearance and also accommodate the wider track and larger tires. A prototype rear fascia allows for an even more aggressive departure angle and enhances the higher ride height. Cherokee Dakar’s crawl ratio is 48:1, and estimated approach and departure angles are 32 and 39 degrees, respectively.
Inside, prototype Katzkin leather black seats with “Machined Gunmetal” inserts are heightened with Header Red stitching, which is also found on the steering wheel, armrest and shift boot. A Flame Red insert accents the entertainment center. Accessories showcased from the Mopar catalog include all-weather floor mats, bright door-sill guards with the Cherokee logo, a cargo tray for storage, and the JCMS with the Trailhawk bag, as well as the prototype Moab off-road bag.

Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Trail Warrior
The Trail Rated Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Trail Warrior brings even more capability and convenience to the most-awarded sport-utility vehicle (SUV) ever, courtesy of a host of Jeep Performance Parts and Mopar accessories.

Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel sits higher thanks to its Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Mojave Sand exterior color is dressed with Satin Black flourishes on the grille, hood, lower front fascia, door handles, mirror caps, wheel flares and badging. The prototype Mopar roof basket, mounted on production cross rails, provides plenty of space to transport gear and provisions. Prototype 20-inch cast aluminum wheels in Satin black roll on aggressive All-Terrain BFGoodrich tires. Jeep Performance Parts tow hooks and rock rails are also featured. This unique Grand Cherokee features a 44:1 crawl ratio.
Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Trail Warrior’s interior offers a black-and-tan dual tone scheme. Gloss black accents appear on the HVAC bezels, steering wheel, instrument panel and other appointments. Additional Mopar accessories include all-weather floor mats, door sills, lighted Jeep logo sills, a pedal kit and a cargo tray.

Complete Gallery:

The Jeep Wrangler MOJO and the Jeep Cherokee Dakar are two of the six new vehicles that will head to Moab.  Look for more information and images on these vehicles next week.

• Mopar joins the 2014 Griffin King of The Hammers off-road race in a new spec class to debut on Feb 6 in the California desert
• 8th annual “King of The Hammers” is an off-road event combining desert racing and rock crawling with four competitive classes
• Mopar to provide six Gen III 5.7L HEMI® crate engine for first spec class vehicles in the “Every Man Challenge” race category
• Mopar is committed to participating in the 2014 and 2015 editions of event as well as four other Western Regional ULTRA4 Series events
• More than 35,000 spectators are expected on site and 500,000 will tune into the live online broadcast on ultra4racing.com/live/

Competing in the Every Man Challenge race category, which allows off-road enthusiasts a chance to race their stock and modified stock vehicles, Mopar’s GEN III 5.7 liter HEMI^® crate engine will power the six vehicles competing in a newly created spec class in which each entry is outfitted with the same equipment. These unique “4700 Spec Class” 4×4 vehicles have a custom tube frame design based loosely on a Jeep_® Wrangler, and are outfitted with Mopar’s HEMI crate engine and some of the best industry-leading parts the off-road world has to offer.“We’re excited to supply HEMI engines to the newly formed spec class at King of The Hammers and put our quality products to the test in the toughest conditions,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO — Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “The 5.7 crate engines we are providing are the off-road race version of the recently announced Scat Package performance upgrades for the Challenger and Charger. This event is in essence a proving ground for our engine, set-up, calibration and parts, as we don’t just design and produce quality parts, we want to test them in the field so that customers know that they are getting the very best available.”

Participating in the off- road event is a fitting tribute to the heritage of the revolutionary Gen II 426 race HEMI, which is celebrating 50 years since its introduction after being built specifically to win races. The success of that GEN II race HEMI has resulted in an amazing lineage of quality Mopar engines, which now includes the newest generation of 5.7L crate engines.
“We’ve partnered with the best manufacturers in off-road, and this class required parts that could handle the demands of off-road racing and the brutality of The Hammers,” said David Cole, Executive Director of ULTRA4 Racing Series. “Nobody knows off-road better than Jeep and Mopar, and we’re excited to have the HEMI powering the 4700 Spec Class.””The 4700 Spec Class offers both professional drivers and first-time enthusiasts a chance to experience what ULTRA4 Racing is all about,” said Cole of the turnkey solution the spec class offers. “We wanted to give people an opportunity to race or recreate off-road in a fully capable 4WD vehicle without the expense and headache of having to build or buy one of their own.”

The six unique Mopar-powered 4×4 vehicles make their debut on Thursday, Jan. 6 with an 8:00 a.m. (PT) 30-second staggered start. Behind the wheel of each Mopar-powered 4700 Spec Class 4×4 vehicle are the following drivers:

#4701– Eric Bothwell, from Tuckahoe, NY., is no stranger to the Hammers as he was part of the core Hammerking volunteer team in 2012. Bothwell’s co-driver Robb Pritchard is an international off-road journalist coming all the way from Croatia. They will be driving the Dynomax vehicle.

#4702– Larry Nickell is a Senior Editor at Crawl Magazine and has been an active off-road enthusiast for many years, taking his Jeep vehicle on many of his adventures across the country. Larry has a background in racing boats and drag cars and will be driving the Team Yukon Vehicle.

#4703 – Jessi Combs is the fastest woman on four wheels after breaking the land speed record in Utah’s Salt Lake Flats last year. She is also host of television show “All Girl’s Garage” and autoblog’s The List and will be racing in the Team Falken Vehicle.

#4704 – Ross Stanford is based out of Loveland, CO. as the sales manager for Spidertrax Off Road, and will be racing for Team Spidertrax. Ross is an avid off-road enthusiast and has competed in several Dirt Riot events.

#4705 – Shannon Campbell is the only two time “King of The Hammers” Champion after winning in both 2008 and 2011. Shannon will be racing the Team Fox car on Thursday and then racing his own ULTRA4 car again in the Griffin King of The Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire on Friday.

#4706 – Jim Marsden will be traveling all the way from the United Kingdom to compete in the Team Odyssey vehicle. Jim is no stranger to “King of The Hammers” having raced in both the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge and the Griffin King of The Hammers categories in 2013.

Mopar is scheduled to participate in both the 2014 and 2015 editions the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge Race as part of the 8^th Annual Griffin King of The Hammers presented by Nitto Tire. The HEMI-powered vehicles also will compete in the following four Trail-Gear Western Regional ULTRA4 Series events:

• May 30-31– Nor Cal Stampede in Sacramento, CA
• July 11-12 – ULTRA4 Glen Helen Grand Prix in San Bernardino, CA
• July 22-23 – American Rocksports Challenge in Tooele, UT
• Oct 17-18 – Nitto Tire National Championship in Las Vegas (Moapa), NV

From its humble beginnings in 2007 as an invitation, non-spectator race involving 12 teams battling for bragging rights, Cole, founder of event, has seen its popularity grow exponentially. It now includes more than 300 teams competing in front of more than 35,000 spectators who descend on the area, creating a small make-shift town dubbed “Hammertown.” An additional 500,000 viewers previously have watched the online live broadcast and even more are expected to log on for this year’s event at ultra4racing.com/live/.

Jeep enthusiasts have always been asking for a V-8 powered Jeep HEMI Wrangler, and Mopar came through back in 2012 at the Easter Jeep Safari.  The new Mopar 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine conversion kit specifically for the Jeep Wrangler produces approximately 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels, and the Mopar V-8 conversion kit gives Jeep enthusiasts an unprecedented blend of power and capability. 

Other performance parts on the Jeep Wrangler Apache are Mopar Pro 60 5.13 front and rear axles, a 4.5-inch Stage 3 long arm lift kit and off-road bead-lock wheels. Aesthetic and functional modifications include high-clearance flat fenders, rock rails, front and rear half-door kits, a Stinger front bumper, a Warn 9.5ti XP winch, Katzkin leather seats, a locking center console box and a Mopar branded interior.

View the complete gallery (below):

New special-edition ‘Altitude’ models of the 2014 Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler were introduced this morning at the Houston Auto Show. Featuring unique “blacked-out” exteriors with a distinct and aggressive flair, the vehicles arrive in Jeep showrooms this spring – thanks to a positive consumer response from earlier Jeep Altitude models.

The roots of America’s love affair with Jeep® can be traced to World War II, as the one-of-a-kind vehicle dutifully served the U.S. military with its durability and ruggedness. The affinity for Jeep gained traction as the first civilian Jeep (“CJ”) vehicles – the Willys-Overland CJ-2A – reached the public in 1945. The CJ-2A, and successor CJ-3A, was immortalized for its go-anywhere capability and strictly functional amenities.

Beginning early next year, when the new 2014 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition arrives in Jeep showrooms, customers can connect with the original Jeep vehicle’s rugged and purely functional capability. The latest Wrangler special edition makes its debut at the 2013 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

“The new Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition is a Jeep purist’s dream, delivering a Jeep vehicle that harkens back to the original, classic CJs of the 1940s,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “This new Jeep vehicle delivers pure functionality and rugged capability in a unique package that recognizes the origins of the brand.”

Based on the Wrangler Sport model, the Willys Wheeler Edition features upgraded hardware, including a Dana 44 rear axle with Trac-Lok® limited-slip rear differential and 3.73 gears, BF Goodrich KM Mud Terrain LT255/75R17 tires, rock rails and a new Jeep Trail Rated Kit that includes a D-Ring, tow strap and gloves in a Jeep-branded bag.  This works with the Jeep Command-Trac 4×4 part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio to give the Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition its improved off-road chops.

Special exterior design cues include a gloss black grille with black Jeep badge, gloss black front and rear bumper appliques, historic satin black “4 Wheel Drive” rear tailgate decal and “Willys” hood decals and unique high-gloss black 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Willys Wheeler Edition comes standard with a Sunrider soft top and deep-tint sunscreen rear windows. A premium Sunrider soft top and black-splatter Freedom Top are available.

Willys Wheeler Editions feature the Connectivity Group with SiriusXM satellite radio, and Sport S-based models have the Power Convenience Group and Premium Tire Pressure Monitoring System as standard. Jeep Wrangler’s iconic half doors are an option.

The 2014 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition features the award winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 260 ft.-lbs. or torque. It is available with a standard six-speed manual or an available five-speed automatic transmission, and delivers up to 21 miles per gallon on the highway.

Available in any Jeep Wrangler color, the Willys Wheeler Edition has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail price (MSRP) of $25,795 for two-door models and $29,595 for Unlimited (four-door) models. The 2014 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited are built at the Toledo Supplier Park in Toledo, Ohio.