The Jeep Shortcut concept is one of the simplest designs here at the 2016 Easter Jeep Safari but it is resonating with people (present company included) in a major way. Call it nostalgic, call it retro, or call it just plain cool. The Shortcut is an example of when less is more.
Based on a two-door Wrangler, the Shortcut has been shortened by a total of 26 inches. Engineers started by removing 14 inches from the stock Wrangler body and then saved another foot by removing the rear-mounted spare tire and pulling the bumpers in closer to the body. The result is a horizontally-challenged CJ-5-esque Wrangler that many off-road and Jeep enthusiasts would step over their own mother to drive.
The Shortcut gets a modified exhaust system but other than that, the powertrain is stock with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 mated to a 5-speed manual. A two-inch lift kit, Fox shocks, and Dana 44 front and rear axles can be found underneath the vehicle. Traction is provided by 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires mounted on 17-inch steel wheels painted to match the body.
Inside, the Shortcut gets red leather seats with plaid inserts and red interior panels to maintain the retro theme. Red may not be your first choice of color for a Wrangler, so much respect goes out to the designers for pulling it off. Oh yeah, they even added a V6 emblem from when Wranglers came with a Buick engine.
Check out the Shortcut concept in the video below and don’t forget to watch videos of the other Jeep concepts from this year’s Easter Jeep Safari.
