If the marketing people at Jeep get their way, this trail-capable new concept vehicle will hit showrooms shortly before the average H2 hits the 100,000-mile mark. If indeed it does make it through the bureaucracy of red tape that halts so many cool concepts from reaching production, the Rescue will certainly be the ultimate execution of a trail-savvy OEM. Combining legendary Jeep capability with classic Jeep design, the Rescue is the answer for those of us who fear the Jeep brand has softened with recent entries such as the Liberty and IFS-equipped Grand Cherokee.
Featuring four removable doors, a folding front windshield, a sliding glass sunroof in front, and a fold-forward canvas roof in the rear, the Rescue has the same open-air feeling of a Wrangler, without the inconveniences of a true soft-top. With seating for five, we expect the Rescue will appeal to the on-the-go family or outdoors enthusiast. Powered by a Four Wheeler-proven Cummins 600-lb-ft 5.9L turbodiesel engine, this concept is no bummer to fill up between each 500-mile (estimated) tankful. Underneath the Rescue is basically a Dodge Ram 2500 pickup, featuring a body-on-frame construction with a hydroformed frame structure. A stout pair of AAM 3/4-ton axles transmit the torque to a set of 37-inch Goodyear MT/R tires that can be aired up or down from the touch of a button on the dash. The tires also feature run-flat technology and are beadlocked to a sharp-looking set of 18-inch alloy wheels.
No word yet if this extreme concept will ever see the showroom floor, but we're sure the analysts over at DCX are thinking very seriously about it, considering the recent wheeler-friendly additions-the Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited and Dodge Power Wagon.
 Super-efficient white LEV...  Super-efficient white LEV headlamps provide extended lighting for long-distance visibility and feature beautifully scalped reflectors and composite lenses. |  We took this picture to demonstrate...  We took this picture to demonstrate the huge size difference between the Wrangler and the Rescue concept. |  Under the hood lives a stout...  Under the hood lives a stout Cummins 600-lb-ft oil-burner powerplant. |
The Rescue's cockpit uses...
The Rescue's cockpit uses bold machine-shop-derived styling. Much of the dash looks as though it were chiseled from a solid chunk of billet aluminum. These accents continue throughout and add a solid and expensive feel to the passenger compartment.
General
Vehicle/model: Jeep Rescue
Estimated price: N/A
Engine
Type: I-6 turbodiesel
Horsepower @ rpm: 325 @ 1,700
Torque @ rpm: 600 @ 1,700
EPA city/freeway mpg: N/A
Drivetrain
Transmission: NV5600 six-speed manual
Transfer case: NV271
Transfer case ratio: N/A
Axle ratio: 4.11:1
Suspension
Front: Solid live axle with 10-inch adjustable long-arm air springs
Rear: Solid live axle with 10-inch adjustable long-arm air springs
Wheels And Tires
Wheels: 18x8 alloy
Tires: LT315/80R18 Goodyear MT/R
Brakes
Front: Disc with ABS
Rear: Disc with ABS
Dimensions And Capacities
Wheelbase, in.: 122.3
Length, in.: 193.2
Width, in.: 81.2
Height, in.: 84.2
Curb weight lb.: 6,000 (est)
Fuel Capacity, gal.: N/A
Ground clearance, in.: 19.38
Seating: 5
Towing capacity, lb: N/A