The Rubicon Trail and the off-pavement challenges of the red rocks of Moab serve as substitutes for the mixed-marshal arts octagon as the challenger (Ford and its new Bronco) takes on the champion (Jeep and its Wrangler) for the right to wear the off-road winner’s belt.
To boost its claim as defending — and future — champion, Jeep has unveiled its Gladiator Farout concept vehicle “that leverages the Jeep Gladiator’s class-leading 4×4 payload and fuel-efficient, long-range-capable 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine,” the automaker claims.
Actually, the concept was to debut back in April at the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari. Jeep annually unveils several such concept vehicles at the Moab event, which was canceled this year by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Although we didn’t get to celebrate in Moab this year with our latest round of concept vehicles, we’re pleased to introduce the Jeep Farout concept today as a vehicle that blends Gladiator EcoDiesel’s fuel efficiency with an area of features fans of overlanding will love,” said Jim Morrison, head of the Jeep brand.
“Building on the popularity of last year’s Gladiator Wayout concept, and as overlanding continues to grow in popularity, this year’s Farout concept is another opportunity to gather feedback from our passionate customer base.”
The Farout’s EcoDiesel V6 engine joins the Gladiator lineup for the 2021 model year, available in the third quarter of 2020. The engine is rated at 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. Jeep also said it will be rated at 28 mpg in highway driving.
The powerplant will be available on the Gladiator Sport, Overland and Rubicon models.
“An encore to last year’s Jeep Wayout concept, the Jeep Farout concept benefits from Gladiator’s class-leading 4×4 payload and the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine’s long-range fuel efficiency to go even further off the beaten path,” Jeep said.
“The main feature of this fully functional concept is a neatly contained, customized deployable roof-top tent. The spacious 16-foot-long by 7.5-foot-tall recreational residence opens and retracts in a matter of seconds. Once unpacked, it comfortably sleeps up to four.”
The Farout also has a “warm, inviting wood-lined interior” with “soft” ambient lighting, dark “smoke blue” leather and orange-stitching seat trim and plaid flannel seat inserts. The concept also has a refrigerator and stove, hanging storage racks and built-in seats and table.
Exterior features include a 2-inch lift kit, 37-inch tires, modified steel front bumper with 12,000-pound Warn winch, Fox shocks, front and rear rock rails, and rear tailgate tow hooks.
