2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid EV revealed
Jeep has revealed the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe overnight, alongside the Grand Wagoneer luxury full-size SUV.
Presented on stage in Rubicon specification, the Wrangler 4xe is described as a key part of Jeep's electrification strategy – indeed, Jeep says this is the 'most capable Wrangler ever'.
Using Jeep's two-litre 'Etorque' turbocharged petrol engine, the Wrangler 4xe uses an electric motor in between the engine and transmission to create a hybrid drivetrain.
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With a 400-volt, 17kWh battery mounted under the rear passenger seat, the Wrangler 4xe is capable of 40 kilometres range in pure electric mode, and with 280kW/637Nm, can do the 0-60 MPH (97km/h) dash in seven seconds. The battery uses nickel manganese cobalt technology.
Charging the Wrangler 4Xe comes via a port mounted on the panel below the windscreen, as seen below.
The Wrangler 4xe will have three driving modes: Hybrid, which uses as much electric power as possible to reduce fuel consumption; full electric; and e-save, if you want to bank your battery capacity for later usage.
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With the electric motor located before the gearbox, Jeep has avoided diluting the traditional mechanical elements of the Wrangler four-wheel drive.
Thanks to this, the 4xe will retain the Wra low-range transfer case, live axles and locking differentials.
The Wrangler 4xe will join the Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe SUVs, which are both touted to have a 179kW drivetrain and 48 kilometres worth of electric-only range. These new models will be built in Jeep's new Mack Avenue manufacturing facility in Detroit, which is the source of 6500 new jobs.
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Jeep says the Wrangler 4xe will be available to customers before the end of the year in America, with Europe and China following in 2021.
We have reached out to Jeep Australia for any indication of Wrangler 4xe would land in Australia, and will update this story with their response. However, the local arm is often reticent to discuss future models – revealed or not.
Currently, the Wrangler isn't available in Australia with the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which has mild-hybrid technology and 200kW/400Nm. Instead, we get the long-serving 3.6-litre petrol V6 and 2.1-litre turbo-diesel engine (in Rubicon specification only).
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