Jeep Wrangler goes electric
Jeep has made the leap into the electric world with both, big-booted feet, unveiling “the most capable, technically advanced and eco-friendly Wrangler ever”, the 4xe, a plug-in hybrid with up to 40km of electric-only range.
The Wrangler – an icon of wind-and-dust-in-the-hair motoring and as California-cool as silicon itself – joins the Jeep Reengade 4xe and Compass 4xe models in the company’s EV line-up, with those two SUVs already on sale in Europe.
The Wrangler 4xe will go on sale in the brand’s most vital market, the US, as well as China and Europe, early in 2021.
Jeep says its PHEV set-up allows the Wrangler to be commuter and eco-friendly, without the strain of range-anxiety.
It’s also claimed to have impressive off-road credentials.
Many brands, including Jeep, believe electric motors provide significant benefits for off-roading.
Jeep is committed to rolling out electrification options across all of its nameplates as it strives to become the leader in eco-friendly, premium technology, which might be a bit of a struggle if it’s batteries are still connected to internal-combustion engines pumping out CO2.
“Our Jeep 4xe vehicles will be the most efficient, responsible and capable that the brand has ever created,” said Christian Meunier, Global President of Jeep Brand – FCA.
“We are committed to make Jeep the greenest SUV brand. The electrification of the Jeep lineup will allow commuters to travel solely on electric power, delivering an efficient and fun on-road experience and offering an ability to enjoy even more Jeep capability off-road in nearly complete silence.”
The Wrangler 4xe’s powertrain uses a combination of two electric motors, a high-voltage battery pack, and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The “most advanced powertrain ever developed for a Jeep Wrangler” maximises efficiency with a claimed fuel-economy figure of 4.7 litres per 100km, which exactly matches the claimed fuel figure for Toyota’s hugely popular RAV4 hybrid.
Jeep points out that you could, in theory, commute every day in EV-only mode, thus using no fuel at all. The combined power figure for the Wrangler 4xe is 280kW, with 637Nm of torque.
The Wrangler 4xe’s 400-volt, 17kWh, 96-cell lithium-ion battery pack uses nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) graphite chemistry. The pack sits underneath the second-row seat, which is redesigned, allowing the bottom cushion to flip forward for access to the battery.
As a final touch that Australian Icehouse fans will appreciate, the new Jeep Wrangler 4xe – an attractively rugged little beast – is painted in a special new hue called Electric Blue.
Jeep’s Australian arm has indicated that it’s keen to get its hands on the Wrangler PHEV, but it’s likely to be years away. The company says low demand and charging infrastructure are all issues.
“We are excited about these technical developments and advances and are monitoring the take up of electrification in Australia,” says Jeep Australia managing director Kevin Flynn. “We will be ready to launch our PHEV strategy as soon as consumer appetite, regulations and infrastructure suggests the time is right.”
