Not that many years ago, “Electric Jeep” might have sounded to some like an oxymoron. Then the Stellantis brand launched the ’22 Wrangler 4xe, followed this year by the Grand Cherokee 4xe, both excellent executions of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology fully capable on- and off-road. The new Jeep mantra: “4xe is the new 4x4.”
And now Jeep is out to lead the world in electrified SUVs with multiple PHEVs and BEVs across the entire portfolio, including four all-electric Jeeps in production in North America and Europe by the end of 2025. And they are promising that 50% of U.S. Jeep sales and 100% of those in Europe will be BEVs by 2030. Really? That seems a noble but extremely ambitious goal that, depending mostly on market acceptance, may or may not be doable.
“Driven by the success of our electrified 4xe portfolio in North America and Europe, we are designing and developing the most capable and sustainable Jeep SUVs to date on our path to becoming the leading zero-emission SUV brand in the world,” says Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO. “Electrification is great for our brand, making it even more capable, exciting, sustainable and fun.”
In a virtual press conference from its Auburn Hills, MI, headquarters, Jeep showed the first images of two all-new, fully electric SUVs – a (Wrangler-like) Jeep Recon off-roader and a uniquely styled Wagoneer – both scheduled to arrive in North America and elsewhere around the world in 2024. An all-electric Jeep Avenger (small SUV) is planned for launch in Europe and elsewhere early next year.
“It’s exciting for designers to be able to create three new vehicles at the same time,” says Ralph Gilles, Stellantis head of design.
Jeep says its Wrangler 4xe has become the best-selling PHEV in the U.S., and its recently introduced Grand Cherokee 4xe has received positive reviews. Now the brand is developing “a comprehensive electrified product range specifically developed to enhance (its) legendary capability and expand its reach in North America.”
“With the continuous expansion of the 4xe technology across our entire portfolio, we are redefining freedom and adventure in a way that only the Jeep brand can,” says Jim Morrison, head of Jeep brand North America. By 2030, Jeep aims to offer a full range of new BEVs to lead the electric SUV market in number of models, segment participation and sales.
Recon
“Not a Wrangler but inspired by Wrangler,” the battery-electric Recon SUV will be aimed at off-roaders longing “to explore extreme adventures in near silence with a rugged, fully electric vehicle.” It will offer true trail-rated capability with Jeep Selec-Terrain traction management, e-locker axle technology,
underbody protection, tow hooks and aggressive off-road tires plus “authentic Jeep open-air freedom” with a one-touch power top, removable doors and glass (pictured, below) and the latest Uconnect system, including detailed travel guides to the most notable off-road trails.
“The all-new, all-electric Jeep Recon has the capability to cross the mighty Rubicon Trail, one of the most challenging off-road trails in the U.S. and reach the end of the trail with enough range to drive back to town and recharge,” Meunier says.
Electric Wagoneer
Code-named “Wagoneer S,” this all-electric global SUV (pictured, below) will offer unique aerodynamic design and standard 4x4 with impressive targets of 600 hp and 3.5-second 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration. “We’ll delight our customers with a premium, highly efficient SUV that is loaded with technology and high-quality craftsmanship, offering 4x4 capability, high performance, rapid acceleration and a target range of 400 miles (644 km) on a single charge,” adds Meunier.
Production of both of these electric SUVs is scheduled to begin in North America in 2024, and both will be sold in major markets around the world, including Europe. Both will be publicly shown in 2023, and U.S. customers will be able to reserve them beginning in early 2023.
Avenger
Jeep already offers only electrified SUVs in Germany and France, and by the end of this year, it says, all Jeeps in almost all European markets will be electrified. The plan is to “develop a portfolio of capable, fully electric vehicles designed and rightsized for Europe,” beginning with four BEVs in volume segments by 2025. The longer-term goal is for all Jeep vehicles on sale in that region to be full BEVs by 2030.
First to market will be the all-new Jeep Avenger (pictured, below), a compact off-road-capable SUV that was presented earlier this year during Stellantis’ Dare Forward long-term strategic plan program. Positioned under the Jeep Renegade, Avenger will be built in Tychy, Poland, for Europe and other markets, including Japan and South Korea, with a targeted range of 250 miles (400 km). It will be publicly unveiled Oct. 17 during the Paris auto show with customer reservations opening that same day. It is due in showrooms in early 2023.
“Today we shared only a glimpse of our new portfolio of all-electric SUVs, providing tangible evidence of what is to come in the next 24 months and why we say that 4xe is the new 4x4,” Meunier says. “This powerful combination of Jeep design, legendary 4x4 capability and electrification will reshape the SUV market, allowing more customers in more countries and in more segments to join us on our path toward Zero Emission Freedom.”
