What's this then?

These.

I'm sorry?

Not this, these. Plural. It's Easter Jeep Safari time again - a massive gathering of Jeep fans in the rugged wild of Moab, Utah, USA and Jeep itself is taking the hardly-surprising opportunity of bringing along a basket of rich, chocolatey... I'm sorry, I mean concept cars and one-offs designed to showcase its new range of accessories, as well as some possible hints towards new models.

Our favourite, by far, is the Jeep Chief; based on a Wrangler it's sporting the classic-style front end from Cherokees and Grand Wagoneers of the seventies and eighties. Resplendent in pale blue and white, it may not be a serious production model but by crikey it looks brilliant. It's powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine, so you won't even have to put up with a diesel engine note.

The Staff Car comes a close second in our affections. Stripped right back (steel wheels, canvas roof, no B-pillar, no doors) it's meant to remind us all of Jeep's military history. The best bit? A built-in cool box based on the design of an old artillery box.

The Wrangler Africa is a little simpler. This one does get a diesel engine and it also gets simple, body-colour steel wheels (nicer than any alloys, if you ask us) but it's been designed for long-range endurance. There are auxiliary fuel cans, an underbody spare wheel mount and a higher roof for more cargo space.

We've always said that the Grand Cherokee is one of the most under-rated cars out there, and this one, the Overlander, comes in a nice sage green paint job with front and rear skid plates and 18-inch milled wheels. That's not the best bit - the best bit is a pop-up two-person tent mounted to the roof, deployable in seconds. Put this one on our Christmas list.

The Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk is mechanically simple but it shows off new optional waterproof seat covers, floor mats, and exterior skid plates, roof rack and tow bar.

The Cherokee Canyon Trail is clearly designed to remind buyers that for all its on-road SUV-ness, it is one of the few in the segment that can really mix it in tough off-road conditions. It gets a tan and satin black exterior, with 17-inch alloys and slightly lifted suspension. There are leather seat covers, a load management system, skid plates for the fuel tank, suspension and sump, and a proper low-ratio gearbox with active rear locking diff.

Finally, there's the Wrangler Red Rock Responder - an off-road emergency response vehicle designed to bring assistance to those who need it no matter what the terrain may be. It's festooned with LED spot lamps, 17-inch wheels, four-inch-lift suspension, special axles and gearing for coping with serious off-roading, cargo boxes, integrated jacks and more. Hope it comes find you if you get into trouble in the woods.

How much of this is relevant? Who knows, but it's damned good fun anyway...

Neil Briscoe - 23 Mar 2015