Jeep Comanche Pickup Concept Rips the Back Off the Renegade [2016 Easter Jeep Safari]

Jeep® Comanche Concept
Jeep® Comanche Concept

Could the Jeep Comanche Pickup Concept hint at Jeep’s future pickup truck? The TFLtruck team did not see this one coming! Every year, Jeep designers come out with concepts to show journalists at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT. This year marks the first time Jeep is introducing more than two pickup truck concepts. With the recent revelation that Jeep is building a production pickup truck, it’s hopeful that one of these concepts hints at the production pickup truck.

Lifted from the Jeep/FCA press release: “Based on the Jeep Renegade, the Jeep Comanche concept vehicle is designed to be off-road ready with practical utility. A nod to Jeep pickup trucks of years past, the Comanche concept takes styling cues from military and civilian Jeep heritage.

The Comanche’s “Beige Against the Machine” concept exterior paint is accented with a Satin Black hood, a concept lower front fascia, winch, steel rear bumper, soft top and spare tire in the bed. The wheelbase has been stretched an additional six inches versus a production Renegade to accommodate Comanche’s 5-foot bed.

Inside, the Comanche features custom seat covers, pedal covers, door sill guards and Mopar all-weather mats. Jeep Performance Parts like off-road rock rails, a 2-inch lift kit and a winch bolster the Comanche’s off-road capability. The Comanche rolls on 16-inch painted wheels and 32-inch BF-Goodrich All Terrain T/A tires.

The Jeep Comanche is powered by a 2.0-liter diesel I-4 engine and mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive Lock, which includes low range and a locking rear differential.”

Tantalizing information – no?

Jeep® Comanche Concept
Jeep® Comanche Concept

We all expected the upcoming Jeep pickup truck to be based on the Jeep Wrangler frame and contain Jeep Wrangler components. What if this is the direction they choose to follow? The 2.0-literdieselengine, 9-speed automatic transmission and locking rear differential certainly lift a few eyebrows.

Overall, it should be a smaller “truck” than an equivalent GM or Toyota product. If its payload and towing could match the Honda Ridgeline’s numbers, they may be on to something.

If nothing else, it’s an awesome looking one-off.

We WILL be driving the Jeep Comanche Pickup Concept at the 2016 Easter Jeep Safari, very soon. Stay tuned for Easter Jeep Safari videos, web posts and lots of chatter on the TEFcar and TFLtruck sites!

Here’s one of our favorite Jeep pickup truck concepts – the Jeep Nukizer Concept!

Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.
Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed
worldwide.
Nathan Adlen
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism - Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. Brought up in the California car culture and educated in theater, childhood education, film, journalism and history, Nathan now lives with his family in Denver, CO. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.