Easter Jeep Safari, in Moab, Utah where the passion for off-roading is there

Hard and pure off-roading is in its most favorable historical phase. More and more car manufacturers, from premium to generalists, are entering the world ofauthentic off-roadwith side member frames, lockable differentials and deactivable anti-roll bars. But it will be difficult to gain ground — metaphorically speaking — against the historic brands associated with this type of riding. In this sense, Jeep is one of the most rooted in the global market and more generally in society. The first Willys it was used during the Second World War for American troops and later inspired the Wranglera popular model now recognized as an icon. Where they have not served in the armed forces or civilian bodies, Jeeps have entered the garages of millions of people, appreciated for their practicality and robustness, not only by enthusiasts but by anyone thinking of an off-road vehicle. It is no coincidence that, in spoken language, Jeeps has become a common name describing a type of off-road vehicle. And you don’t have to go to the United States to understand its essence: anyone who buys one, anywhere in the world, knows that it is designed to tackle more complex surfaces than the average car, especially in the versions optimized for off-roading — what Jeep calls “trail-rated”, i.e. certified suitable for off-road after having faced very tough tests.

60 years of event

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Yet, in Utah there is a place where every Jeep enthusiast, sooner or later, goes from all over America and the world. Particularly in the period preceding Easter, the American House organizes theEaster Jeep Safari. Is called Moabis a semi-lost town of five thousand souls, topographically made up of less than ten roads and almost all the cars that circulate on them are off-road vehicles, most of them Jeep branded. It rises on the Colorado River and is surrounded everywhere by rocky canyons. This arid nature and hostile has been told by Hollywood in many ways: from westerns with John Wayne to blockbusters like Mission Impossiblein the iconic scene where Tom Cruise climbs the mountains with his bare hands. Or in the final sequence of Thelma and Louise, and again in 127 Hoursinspired by the true story of a mountaineer stuck among these rocks. Beyond the harshness of the place, it is also a tourist destination where you can tackle off-road routes in relative safety, thanks to the attention and care of the area by the local organizers. Here for 60 years an event is held where Jeep owners tackle the rocky passes and compare their cars.

there is a culture

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What binds them is an approach almost tribalmade up of symbols – ducks, stickers, awards – and of a playful and respectful rivalry with enthusiasts of other off-road brands who frequent Moab. The city also lives from this. It hasn’t always been this way. In the 1950s, off-roading was a necessity here: uranium was the new gold and deposits of it were discovered in these mountains. The war had ended a few years ago and the Willys decommissioned by the American army were the ideal means of reaching the mines, where instead of roads there were only rocks. Moab went from a small village to a small town, but this boom did not last long. The way to avoid abandonment was found precisely in the off-road vehicle: from a practical need, it becomes a tourist experience. They are born dedicated routesagencies that organize excursions, rental activities, specialized workshops and shops related to the world of 4×4. And of course souvenir shops with Jeep-themed t-shirts, stickers and gadgets.

the jeep workshop

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Jeep uses this context to strengthen the bond with its own community: observes the preparations of enthusiasts, collects feedback on the cars, presents new products and above all brings experimental cars every year. I am concept cars to all intents and purposes, designed to develop and test new technologies, materials and stylistic solutions, or to celebrate the history of the brand and offer a spectacle to those who participate. With a subtle difference: these cars are not displayed in a showroom, but are driven in the harshest conditions. Among the most particular presented this year is the Wrangler Striker: it has nothing to do with a production car, but it is a racing car with a tubular frame, 42-inch wheels and an 800 horsepower V8 engine. An exercise that shows how motorsport can also become a development ground for off-road solutions for solutions that, in a different form, could arrive on production cars.

the materials of the future

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The situation is different for the concept Anvilwhich starts from a Wrangler but introduces a higher level of refinement. The retro-futuristic style recalls the Wagoneer of the 70s, with a wagon configuration body and petrol green paint. Under the hood is the 6.4-liter V8 from the standard Wrangler, while much of the body is made of carbon fiber: a light but also flexible material, a useful feature in off-roading, where contact with rocks and soil is frequent. All these concepts contribute to enriching the development of the Jeep product, anticipating solutions that may find space on series cars over time. Many of the technologies studied in Moab, where designers and technicians go several times a year to test them directly in the field, have already reached production.

the 4×4 icon

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The example is the latest generation Jeep Wrangler, which even in its standard version represents an extremely solid basis. Driving it you immediately understand the Jeep spirit: a car capable of transmit freedom and have fun even at low speeds, thanks to a modular bodywork that allows you to travel in the open with a canvas roof or removable hardtop. Whether it is the fleet of 2-litre four-cylinder engines or the exuberant 6.4-litre V8, the sensation is always that of power and easy handling even in the most demanding situations. Even those who have no off-road experience, with the right technique and the support of electronics, can tackle complex routes. And on the road it continues to get noticed, also thanks to a iconic design that enthusiasts love to customize.

up to the summit

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Although it can be further optimized for off-road with Mopar accessories, in the standard configuration it took us to the top of the world without difficulty. Porcupine Rimone of Moab’s longest and most challenging trails, reaching 7,000 feet (2,074 meters) in elevation and offering unobstructed views of Negro Bill Canyon. In a place like this a circle is closed that starts from the prototypes and reaches production. Cars different in concept and use, but united by the same need: to tackle difficult terrain, out of necessity or for pleasure. Jeep, and the Wrangler in particular, continue to move exactly along this line. And part of this result passes through Moab.