- Plug-in hybrid system revealed
- Added to Wrangler, Compass and Renegade
- 25-35 pure EV range
- Foreshadows larger hybrid effort
In a move that General Patton would never have imagined while traversing the battleground in his Government Issue World War II Jeep, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced the launch of three new Jeeps that incorporate electric hybrid power to enhance mileage and efficiency.
For the first time in Jeep’s 80-year history, a new line of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, adorned with the nameplate 4xe, will allow drivers to run on pure electric power on or off road, before switching over to conventional engine operation for extended trips. Estimates run between 25 and 35 miles of zero-emission, electric operation, but exact figures are not available at this time.
Wrangler, Compass and Renegade first
All three Jeep models, the Jeep Wrangler, the Compass and the Renegade, will feature electric power.
At last year’s Geneva Motor Show, the Compass and Renegade hybrid models debuted with a 1.3-liter, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine rated at 190 horsepower for the Renegade and 240 horsepower for the Compass. The Renegade generated 0-to-60-mph times in the 7-second range, but figures for the Compass have not been released. Both vehicles use the same platform, battery pack and all, and will travel up to 31 miles on battery power alone with a top speed of 81 mph in this mode. When powered with the internal combustion engine, higher speeds are possible.
Currently, Jeep isn’t saying whether the new Wrangler hybrid will use the 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoDiesel V6, 3.6-liter V6 (with or without E-torque), or 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (with or without E-torque), but our money is on the 4-cylinder engine — best guess. More question marks surround whether the hybrid engine will be relegated to a specific 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system. For 2019 Jeep offered three choices of 4WD: Selec-Trac, Command-Trac, and Rock-Trac.
Electrification planned across all models
According to the FCA press release, “Electrification, including the upcoming no-compromise Jeep 4xe vehicles, will modernize the Jeep brand as it strives to become the leader in “green” eco-friendly premium technology. Jeep electric vehicles will be the most efficient and responsible Jeep vehicles ever, providing absolute and quiet open-air freedom while taking performance, 4×4 capability and driver confidence to the next level. With greater torque and immediate engine response, Jeep electric vehicles will offer an even more fun-to-drive experience on the road and more capability than ever off the road.”
Jeep notes that by 2022, all Jeep models will have hybrid electric power in a move to improve the efficiency and increase the fuel mileage of its vehicles. More specifics about these three models will be released at future Jeep reveals at the Geneva, New York, and Beijing auto shows in 2020.
Can’t wait for the new Jeep 4xe lineup? Shop now for a Compass, Renegade, or Wrangler on sale near you.
