📂︎ News | 🖳︎ Wayne Gorrett | 🖃︎ July 21, 2020
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➤ Sales books open September | From £32,600 | Larger Compass 4xe due later.
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More details have been released for the forthcoming Jeep Renegade 4xe AWD – the carmaker’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It promises a 26-mile battery-only range and sub-50g/km of CO2 emissions.
Three trim levels and two power outputs will be available on the new Renegade 4xe, with the range starting from £32,600 when they go on sale in September.
‘Longitude’ specification kicks off the three-model range and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and an 8.4-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The mid-spec ‘Limited’ starts from £34,500 and includes adaptive cruise control, leather upholstery and bigger wheels. It also introduces the option of a black contrasting roof. Top-spec ‘Trailhawk’ models are £2,000 more expensive and are more focused on the car’s off-road prowess.
Jeep has confirmed the new cars will be in showrooms in September 2020. The Renegade 4xe was meant to go on sale in July but its launch was delayed due to COVID-19.
The hybrid system consists of a battery, electric motors and a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Together they produce either 187 or 237hp and First Edition models only come with the latter, resulting in a 0-62mph time of under seven seconds. The combination also emits less than 50g/km of CO2 on the WLTP cycle, so both models will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge. Their predicted low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rating will be favourable with company-car drivers.
Jeep says you’ll be able to travel up to 26 miles on electric power only, with a limited max speed of 81mph. The battery power can also be ‘banked’ for later in your journey by selecting the appropriate driving mode. Hooking up to a 7.4kW wallbox sees the battery recharged in less than two hours.
Jeep says the added electric power brings improved crawl capability and torque control, which should make the both the Renegade and Compass hybrids even better off-road. Added to that, the hybrid power is said to make the SUVs more fun to drive, as the electric motors provide better responsiveness and acceleration.
The petrol engine drives the front wheels, while the rear wheels are driven by the electric motor. Jeep says this makes for better off-road performance than a standard petrol or diesel 4×4, as the electric motor gives lots of low-down power and can push the car up hills and over obstacles.
Jeep Compass 4xe
A plug-in hybrid Jeep Compass 4xe is also due soon. The Compass and Renegade hybrids were revealed at the same time but a UK launch date for the bigger Compass has yet to be released. I’ll bring you more details on that when they become available.
