Snapshot
- Electric Jeep for the future of off-road exploration
- ‘Electromod’ takes the old CJ and modernizes the powertrain.
- 200kW power, 4WD, Copper Canyon paint
- Mopar knows the EV attack won’t stop modifying.
Jeep has shown off its CJ Surge ‘Electromod’ concept at the 2022 SEMA show in Las Vegas alongside a host of other vehicles featuring modified RAM.
The Serge CJ takes Jeep’s platform and retrofits it with one. Electric four-wheel drive powertrain with 400 volt electrics and 200 kW of power.
The result is rad: squat, short, with a ridiculously wide track hidden under wide fender flares – this is undeniably a cool EV.
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Jeep says CJ Surge is an exercise in seeing the future of change in the electronic age. Opening the way for enthusiasts to enjoy the look, feel and experience of classic cars without the pollution or hassle of carburetors and distributors.
It’s unlikely to become mass market, but for those interested out there, Jeep is certainly looking for feedback from buyers.
The Electric CJ Surge is a Mopar project that uses factory parts, and Mopar Senior VP of Service Mark Busanic said: “The Jeep CJ Surge concept looks to the future of a zero-emission propulsion system kit and the Jeep brand. supports to further the mission of the world’s electrified SUV brand.”
What is Chief Justice Serge?
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Underneath, it’s a CJ Jeep, produced as a new vehicle between 1944-1986 in various guises from Willys War Jeeps to the late model CJ-7.
The power module is a custom-built unit with 24 lithium-ion cells, a 200kW electric motor rigidly mounted on a ladder frame chassis that powers all four wheels via a two-speed transfer case for high- and low-speed driving. .
Far from homework, though, the electric powertrain is elegantly mounted under the bonnet, with all the chrome trimmings you’d expect from a classic car. How the Mopar Jeep Performance Parts team has put together the Surge is art.
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A two-inch lift kit has been thrown at the Surge to increase its off-road prowess, as 18×9-inch black Rhino wheels in 35-inch BF Goodrich tires.
There’s also a set of Jeep Performance Parts Dana 44 solid axles for added detail, and the front bumper is from a JK Wrangler Rubicon with a winch installed.
For better off-road protection, more Wrangler parts are used with skid plates and rock sliders also give the JK Rubicon a look.
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The interior isn’t pure CJ, using a homemade mix of Wrangler upper dash and instrument cluster with Mopar gauges, custom steering wheel with JPP horn badges, center-mounted rotary shift knob and all-weather floor mats.
There are also custom bucket seats. rocking houndstooth and Sedoso cloth upholsterya custom two-inch cropped windscreen and a roll cage have been developed for the CJ Surge.
Finished in Copper Canyon paintwork with Surf Blue and Black contrasting decals, the CJ Surge is a modest-looking beast with only an EV charge port on the left side that powers its electric propulsion.