Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass 4xe Plug-In Hybrid – Catching up to the pack
While the rest of car manufactures have developed with the times, FCA have stuck to diesel and petrol power plants. Admirable, but in the end, expensive, since new emission regulations make it near impossible for FCA to stay afloat. Fiat recently launched the new 500 e, and now it is time for Jeep to show the new Renegade and Jeep Compass 4xe. Two new plug-in hybrids, and a first for Jeep in the hybrid market.
Luckily, the outside has seen minor changes. The looks that make a Jeep, well a Jeep, has been retained. A quick trip away from Sweden shows that Jeep holds a considerable size of the market with the smaller Renegade fitting perfectly in cramped cities. Why Jeep isn’t seen as often on the roads in Northern Europe is a discussion for another time, but with the introduction of hybrid alternatives, FCA might at least be on the right track.
Both models get the same hybrid system, with the top version getting a combined output of 240 hp. The petrol engine is 1.3 L and will have 130 or 180 hp, with the electric engine having 60 hp and 250 Nm. Emissions are 50 g c02 per 10 km.
In pure electric, the range is claimed to be 50 km and the top speed is 130 km/h. The electric motor powers the rear axle, which is interesting since during the press release, the car is claimed to be 100 % 4×4. While it is true that with the petrol engine powering the front axle, the limitation in the electric battery is rather evident. Luckily, there is a mode where the petrol engine acts as a generator to power up the battery. However, using the petrol engine to not only get along, but powering the electric engine to give the claimed 4×4 seems rather non eco-friendly.
Other news include a new app which controls the temperature before you even get in the car. The app also acts as a gps tracker and can be used to control recharging times.
Jeep still claims that the Renegade and Compass will be fun off-road, with center-locking differentials, hill ascent control, low gear and high ground clearance. How well the electric engine is integrated with the 4×4 system we will have to wait and see.
Unfortunately, no price has been given on price or battery size. However, it is good to see that Jeep and FCA is finally trying to catch up with the rest of the world. The Renegade is interestingly one of the few crossovers available in a full hybrid version, and could possibly become very popular if the price is right.
