With only two days left for the annual Easter Jeep Safari gathering to kick off in Moab, Utah (April 12-20), Jeep and the Chrysler Group's in-house tuner Mopar have presented this year's concept cars that will include a pair of new Cherokee-based editions, the most impressive of which is no doubt the Dakar pictured above.

Jeep says the Cherokee Dakar study is the "most extreme Cherokee ever". The build certainly looks the part with the Silver Steel Satin Gloss exterior skin set off with Flame Red accent graphics, and the pinned fender extensions that make way for 17-inch alloys mounted on beefy, off-road 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires.

Other notable parts are the suspension lift, rock rails, an oil pan skid plate, front suspension skid plate, two-piece fuel tank, underbody skid plates and a prototype rear fascia that allows for a more aggressive departure angle. The Cherokee's interior has also been customized with unique leathers and trim accents, according to Jeep.

The second Cherokee concept is the Adventure, and while it's more on the subtle side, it still draws attention with the soft yellow paint job that contrasts the satin black accents, decals and plastic moldings. The Trailhawk-rated study also gets a prototype matte black Mopar roof basket, 17-inch alloys on BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires, rock rails, protective plates under the body and an assortment of interior upgrades that are not shown in the pictures.

Both feature visual tweaks

Jeep has introduced at 2014 Beijing Motor Show in China the Cherokee Urbane and Sageland concepts.

Up first is the Urbane dressed in a Maximum Steel metallic paint with black accents as a way to combine the "night life of a modern megacity with glamour and elegance." On the inside it has received dark red Nappa leather on the seats with red accent stitching. It also features Chinese calligraphy implemented in brush stroke patterns in the door applique to enhance the piano black interior. Also unique are the floor mats which have a special decorative pattern drawing their inspiration from traditional Chinese windows.

As for the Sageland, this one is painted in an ivory tri-coat pearl with bronze grille collars and fascias appliques. In addition, a satin bronze chrome was used for the exhaust tips, door mirror caps, roof rack and sunroof. The concept's cabin has received neutral gray Nappa leather seats with red & blue accent stitches along with special door appliques inspired by Chinese ornamental door *****.

Jeep hasn't specified what powers these two concepts but the China-spec Cherokee can receive either a MultiAir 2.4-liter or a Pentastar V6 3.2-liter, with both of them working together with a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

While capable, the new Jeep Cherokee is not the rough-and-tumble, truck-like beast its predecessor was. Something that’s sure to disappoint enthusiasts, it cannot be lifted… sort of.

Yes, if you’re going to buy a Cherokee you’d better be happy with the factory ride height because that’s more than likely what you’re going to be stuck with. Well, this new car-based crossover can technically be lifted, but only with gigantic stacks of money.

To make a point, the folks at Jeep put together a specially modified Cherokee for the 2014 Moab Easter Jeep Safari. The Cherokee Dakar features a totally new suspension setup with Fox coil-overs as well as custom half-shafts and universal joints. A host of one-off brackets were required and the fenders had to be opened up and widened to accommodate the vehicle’s new 33-inch tires.

The end result is a ride height that’s a few inches taller than stock. These changes may seem fairly modest but according to an engineer that worked on the project it adds up to “a couple hundred grand in parts,” a figure that excludes design and assembly work.

So, technically this new small Jeep can in fact be lifted, but not at a price most people can afford. And this is why Chrysler’s aftermarket Mopar division is not going to offer such a kit for the Cherokee. If you want greater capability and customization, might we suggest a Wrangler?

This is one of the first video reviews of the Jeep Cherokee coming from Europe and certainly the first of a diesel-powered model. Auto Express tested a Cherokee fitted with the most powerful diesel engine available, a 2.0-liter unit producing 170PS (168hp) – the Cherokee’s European lineup also includes a 140PS (138hp) 2.0-liter unit.

Mated to a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic gearbox, the diesel engine is described as powerful and torquey enough, but not as refined as one would expect - the reviewer says the engine sounds quite rough towards the top of the rev range.

The ride is seen as nice and soft, but the reverse of the medal is that handling suffers from body roll in corners.

The conclusion is that the Jeep Cherokee is not best in class in Europe, but it can represent an alternative to the Nissan Qashqai and VW Tiguan, which speaks volumes about Jeep’s progress from the previous Cherokee (known as the Liberty in the United States).

Says Grand Cherokee Diesel sales would have to double first

The Jeep Cherokee is offered with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine in Europe but it looks like Americans will be stuck with petrol power for the time being.

Speaking to Automotive News, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said sales of the Grand Cherokee Diesel would have to nearly double before the company would offer a Cherokee Diesel in the United States. As Manley explained, only eight percent of US-spec Grand Cherokee are equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine and he wants that number to increase into the "mid-double digit" range before approving a Cherokee Diesel.

Despite sounding pessimistic, Manley expects diesel sales to grow in the coming years and he noted "I never rule anything out with diesel for the Jeep brand."

Speaking to Automotive News, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said sales of the Grand Cherokee Diesel would have to nearly double before the company would offer a Cherokee Diesel in the United States. As Manley explained, only eight percent of US-spec Grand Cherokee are equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine and he wants that number to increase into the "mid-double digit" range before approving a Cherokee Diesel.