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Typically, Jeep owns the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Every year, Jeep designs special concepts to see how Jeep enthusiasts will react. The Specialty Equipment Market Association was forced to go virtual this year because of the COVID pandemic. It is happening now as SEMA360. It is clear however, that the Jeep and Mopar designers have been hard at work. The 2021 Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept is designed for the hardcore mountain bikers and it includes room for all of the tools and hardware that bikers need to be successful out on the trails.
Mopar Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept
The Top Dog Concept vehicle uses Jeep Performance Parts to complete the Jeep Gladiator’s custom, off-road package. The package includes some fun and frivolous add-ons but also some very serious upgrades in storage to help dedicated bikers. The most notable difference is the Jeep Top Dog Concept expands the back of the Gladiator by replacing the cargo bed with a custom PCOR flatbed storage system.
“Loaded with nearly 20 Jeep Performance Parts, we built this go-anywhere Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept for passionate mountain bike enthusiasts,” said Mark Bosanac, Head of Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, FCA – North America. “Across the entire Jeep lineup, we offer more than 500 quality-tested, factory-backed parts and accessories.”
On the passenger side, the expanded cargo area has pull-out drawers to store tools and supplies that mountain bikers need when out on the trails. Several interior storage shelves, lighting switches and extra power supplies are within reach.
The driver’s side of the storage system, contains the trendier equipment, designed to draw lots of attention at any vehicle show, but especially SEMA. The storage system has room for a battery-powered refrigerator and electric hot-dog grill ready to entertain bikers before the next grueling trail rides.
“Built to handle the demands of an active lifestyle and offering one-of-a-kind open-air freedom, Jeep Gladiator is the perfect canvas for Mopar to push the envelope even further with the addition of an array of Jeep Performance Parts,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA North America. “Mopar’s new Top Dog Concept results in even more clever functionality and versatility for Jeep Gladiator.”
Designed to Be Top Dog on the Trails
The Jeep Top Dog Concept features a JPP two-inch lift kit with FOX shocks that provides increased ground clearance, perfect to get you out to the trails. Top Dog also has 17-inch JPP beadlock-capable aluminum wheels and 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires. Concept steel “high-top” fender flares provide additional clearance at all four corners.
The Top Dog Concept is painted K-9 blue and the color scheme is carried throughout. The instrument panel matches the body color. In addition, black leather seats, armrests, shifter boots, steering wheel and the parking brake handle are accented with blue stitching. The concept hood has custom black Mopar hood latches that feature the Jeep Willys logo. A Jeep Performance Parts snorkel helps direct air into the engine when off-road conditions threaten normal air intake.
Above the cab area, two racks provide additional storage space for tools and equipment. A dual bike rack gives the driver the perfect way to transport mountain bikes to the trails. The Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept has a JPP Rubicon bumper. The bumper holds a concept two-inch steel grille guard, and the exclusive JPP 8,000-lb-capacity Rubicon Warn winch that includes 100 feet of Spydura synthetic rope.
A second JPP Warn winch is installed at the rear of the Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept. The concept vehicle has lots of nice touches like a roll out drawer to hold a folding ladder, extra storage and lots of extra lighting, both to highlight the trail and the storage area.
The Jeep Gladiator Top Dog Concept runs on the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.
Why Jeep Creates These Mopar Concept Vehicles
Jeep and Mopar develop these concept vehicles for two reasons. The first reason is to show Jeep lovers that these parts and these capabilities already exist. Jeep is just showing them how the parts can be assembled to best fit different scenarios. A Jeep owner may not want or buy the entire package, but it gets them thinking about the specific parts that are available.
The second reason that they develop concepts like these is to gauge demand for certain packages of equipment. Jeep is brilliant at devising custom packages that can be easily added at the factory or at nearby custom shops. If Jeep finds that there is a big demand for Gladiators with a custom PCOR flatbed storage system, we could see that option down the road.
It is sad that SEMA had to cancel its in-person show like every other auto show during this pandemic, but it is great to see the creative minds at Jeep still running full-throttle.
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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