SEMA Highlight: Bestop’s Enlightened Jeep 4XE
SEMA is known as much for the innovation it draws to Las Vegas each year as it is for the revolutionary automotive style it attracts from all over the world. In keeping with this blend of style and technological substance, our friends over at Bestop decided to bring a truly unique vehicle to this year’s show in the form of a customized 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe. As Jeep’s first-ever plug-in hybrid, the Wrangler is an interesting creation in its own right. However, the modifications made to this specific rig (and especially its paint job) make it truly something special to behold.
With 21 miles of all-electric range to use before the 2.0L four-cylinder kicks in, the 4xe offers customers a lot of utility, with the ability to run errands around town without needing to use any gas. The Jeep retains the ability to head off-road on a whim, all while matching its non-hybrid kin’s pace from one trail marker to the next. This capability is largely due to the combined 270 horsepower and 375 lb.-ft. of torque on tap as a result of the internal combustion engine and electric motor working harmoniously together.
A Sound Decision
At MagnaFlow, we believe that hybrids should sound cool too. Thus, we decided that what the Jeep needed was a performance exhaust system from our Street Series line. With its newly deep, resonant internal combustion soundtrack, the Wrangler now sounds like it looks it should when you step on the gas. Other modifications to the 4xe include 42 in. tires on one-ton axles, a new set of Fox shocks and a Mopar suspension. Bestop is known for its off-roading focused soft top roofs, and this Bestop Jeep showcases one of their latest models.
That said, the earlier alluded to feature that makes this vehicle such an interesting build is its extremely unique paint job. The team over at Bestop took the rig to Coast Airbrush in Anaheim, CA, where they repainted the jeep using Lumilor electro-luminescent paint. Electro-luminescent you say? Indeed. This special coating lights up when it’s exposed to electricity. That’s right. When you plug this 4xe in to charge it, the Bestop logo and side stripes light up as it charges! Basically, Bestop has turned its Jeep’s livery into the world’s largest battery charge indicator, with the stripes increasingly illuminated as the battery gets juiced up. How cool is that!?
We love the creativity that’s gone into this ride and can’t wait to see what Bestop thinks of next! If you’re going to be at SEMA this year, be sure to stop by our display (Central Hall #23343) and check out the glowing Jeep for yourself. For the latest coverage of SEMA 2021 and all the other cool stuff we have going on, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter , and sign up for our email newsletter.
EQUIP YOUR RIDE
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