V8s for now, but Jeep planning EV ‘green’ attack

Jeep plans to leverage the resources of the newly formed Stellantis group it is now part of as it pursues its mission to become the world’s “greenest SUV brand”.

Speaking to journalists in Tokyo recently, Jeep president Christian Meunier said the merger of PSA (Peugeot and Citroen) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles provided opportunities to electrify the Jeep range.

“There is obviously a lot of potential between platform, drivetrain, cost reduction and things like that,” said Meunier of the Stellantis merger, which plans to have a fully electrified lineup by 2025.

“There is a lot of potential opportunities of synergies and manufacturing footprint.”

That means Jeep could share components with upcoming Peugeots, Citroens and Opels and be built in some of the European factories of those brand.

Despite the all-American image, Jeep has gradually been making its brand more global with models such as the Renegade.

The small SUV is designed largely for non-American markets and is even built in Italy (Australian cars come from Italy, but there is also Renegade manufacturing in Brazil and China).

But it seems it is electric models set to define Jeeps in the medium to long term, according to Meunier.

“What is most important is to make our product the most capable and most exciting Jeep ever. Additional torque, driving in silence, with extra exceptional acceleration and torque, that’s the perfect fit.

“Jeep and electrification are meant to be together.”

Various car makers have said fitting electric motors to their off-roaders will make the cars more capable in rough terrain.

It’s all part of a vision to become the “greenest SUV brand” in the world, something difficult to envision days after Jeep confirmed it will produce its iconic Wrangler with a fuel-slurping 6.4-litre V8, a car called the Wrangler Rubicon 392.

However, Jeep already has plug-in hybrid models available overseas as part of the 4xe brand.

There is the Wrangler 4xe, Compass 4xe and Renegade 4xe, none of which are likely to be available in Australia any time soon.

Jeep Australia has said it is monitoring the situation in Australia, suggesting the consumer appetite is not yet there for electrified Jeeps.