Jeep, having been something of a laggard brand when it comes to developing all-electric models, is about to leap into the EV market with both feet. The American 4x4 specialist has just revealed three new all-electric models, one of which has been designed exclusively for Europe.
All-electric Jeep Avenger
That European model is the new Jeep Avenger, which will use the same platform as its Stellantis Group cousins, the Peugeot e-2008 and the Opel Mokka-e. The Avenger will differ, though, in offering both front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions, and will also get a new electric motor design. It's expected that the battery pack will be upgraded from the one currently used by Peugeot and Opel to extend the one-charge range to about 400km. Uniquely, the Avenger will be sold only in Europe, and won't make its way to the United States.
Sales will begin early next year (with the final date to be confirmed) and order books should open across Europe from October of this year. "The all-new Avenger will offer Jeep brand capability that is rightsized for the European market," said Antonella Bruno, head of Jeep Europe at Stellantis, "This modern, fun and emotional SUV will appeal to a growing set of customers who are looking for a capable, compact, modern and all-electric Jeep brand alternative to the current players."
The Avenger will be great news for Jeep's handful of Irish dealers, although it will probably be more expensive to buy than an equivalent Peugeot or Opel, due to Jeep's position as a premium brand. It will be built at the Stellantis factory in Tychy, Poland - best-known for being the home of the Fiat 500 and Panda.
Rugged-looking Jeep Recon
The next all-electric Jeep coming up is the Recon, which is closer to being a Wrangler than one of Jeep's luxury models. The Recon will be aimed primarily at the US market, but it will come to Europe in small numbers and should go on sale in 2025, after a 2024 US debut.
It rides on the new Stellantis STLA electric car platform, which will also underpin crucial models from Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Peugeot, Opel and Citroen.
It's a proper 4x4, the Recon, not an SUV and will be 'Trail Rated' - capable of tackling the fearsome Rubicon Trail in Utah, the gold standard for Jeep's proper off-roading machines. Like the Wrangler, the roof, doors and windows are all removable for a full-on outdoors experience.
"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," said Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO.
Sleek Jeep Wagoneer S
Finally, there's the Wagoneer S. Jeep has already resurrected the Wagoneer name - a 1960s throwback - for its range-topping US model, the Grand Wagoneer. This Range Rover rival comes in petrol or plug-in hybrid forms, but the new Wagoneer S - dropping the Grand bit - will be fully and only electric powered, again using the new STLA platform.
It's also considerably sleeker than the upright, boxy Grand Wagoneer - think of it as an all-electric rival to the Range Rover Sport or the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. Jeep says that the Wagoneer S should have a range of at least 600km, 600hp and a 0-100km/h time of around 3.5 seconds. "We'll delight our customers with a premium, highly efficient SUV that is loaded with technology and high quality craftmanship, offering 4x4 capability, high performance, rapid acceleration and a target range of 400 miles on a single charge," added Meunier. As with the Recon, the Wagoneer S is expected to go on sale in the US in 2024, with European sales following a year later.
In Europe, Jeep has already started to shift to offering electrified models. In Germany and France, the brand currently only offers electrified cars - plug-in hybrid models - and it expects to do the same "in almost all European markets" by the end of this year.
"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," said Meunier. "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.
"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. This is a forward-thinking strategy to help ensure millions of Jeep fans around the world continue to have a planet to explore, embrace and protect. Electrification is great for our brand, making it even more capable, exciting, sustainable and fun."