Mopar, Dodge to show off new concepts at SEMA 2022

Mopar, the parts division of Stellantis, is unveiling three new concepts at the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show this week in Las Vegas.

The Jeep CJ Surge, Ram 1500 TRX Gold Shot and Ram 1500 Backcountry X will be among many other customized vehicles shown off at the aftermarket industry's biggest event of the year.

"The Jeep CJ Surge concept explores a future zero-emission propulsion system kit and supports the Jeep brand's mission to become the leading electrified SUV brand in the world," Mark Bosanac, Mopar's North America senior vice president, said in a statement Tuesday. "Separately, our Ram 1500 Backcountry X and TRX Gold Shot concepts showcase a truckload of innovative Mopar accessories for our award-winning full-size trucks."

The CJ Surge will serve as a test run of sorts for Mopar to explore how battery-electric vehicle, or BEV, kits can be used to convert both classic and new gas-powered vehicles into electric ones.

The 4x4 Jeep is powered by a 400-volt, 200-kW electric drive module under the hood, and the 18-by-9-inch Black Rhino Solid wheels within the 35-inch all-terrain tires are powered by 24 lithium-ion battery modules.

An orange-ish Copper Canyon spray covers most of the vehicle's body, with Surf Blue and gloss black accents covering the rest. A Jeep Performance Parts Rubicon Warn winch in the front is complemented by two tow hooks, both Surf Blue, to its left and right.

Sitting at 702 hp and caked in TRX graphics, it's clear this concept was designed for off-road trails and other intense drives.

The pickup sits atop 18-by-9.5-inch Black Rhino Chamber wheels within 37-inch tires for a performance-inspired appearance, Mopar said. To go with this look are a pair of 5-inch black exhaust tips in the back.

Alaska Gold is the most striking color on the vehicle, taking up the body and carving out the aforementioned TRX graphics from the black they lay within. The cabin is also decked out in Alaska Gold accents.

The most visually tame of Mopar's concepts, the main draw of the Backcountry X is its RamBox cargo management system and utility access.

Along with the RamBox is a custom RamPack system, offering up to 12.3 cubic-feet more space, and a RamRack with Thule cross rails to mount gear and accessories. A custom RamGate insert allows access to conversion charts, an angle finder and woodworking hardware.

A two-tone Matte Iced Silver Titanium and matte-black body is contrasted by orange stripes along the side of the Backcountry. Inside, tone-on-tone green seats are accented by orange stitching on the steering wheel, door panels and armrests.

Dodge will also make some new sheet metal at the show – most notably announcing three powertrain output levels for the electric Charger Daytona SRT announced in August.

"The SEMA Show is one of the great gatherings of the performance culture, and Dodge isn't going to shy away as we develop the next generation of muscle car – one that just happens to be fully electric," said Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Dodge, in a statement Tuesday.

Two 400-volt output levels with two additional trims each, known as "stages," were announced for the concept:

• 340 kW, 455 hp
• Stage 1: 370 kW, 495 hp
• Stage 2: 400 kW, 535 hp
• 440 kW, 590 hp
• Stage 1: 470 kW, 630 hp
• Stage 2: 500 kW, 670 hp

Additionally, there will be an 800-volt-system power level with its own stages announced at a later date.