Jeep has unveiled its new Wagoneer S electric car, the brand’s second battery-powered SUV to go on sale in Europe and the first for the US market, where the Wagoneer name is established. With a high-performance, all-wheel-drive powertrain and almost 500km of range, the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E rival will arrive in the US and Canada during the second half of this year, before hitting the Irish market in 2025.
Aerodynamically efficient
Sitting high above the Avenger in Jeep’s hierarchy, the Wagoneer S is designed to be sleek while still fitting in with the off-road aspects of the Jeep brand. At the front, there’s a reimagined seven-slot design and Jeep’s traditional trapezoidal wheel arches remain, but the enclosed grille and aerodynamically curved bonnet and windshield are both designed to minimise drag.
In fact, with the sloping roofline and cantilevered spoiler, the Wagoneer S is the most aerodynamically efficient Jeep model yet, with a drag coefficient of 0.29. According to the American brand, that’s “15 per cent better than the average SUV.”
Such slipperiness has been achieved using underbody shields, spats for the front tyres and a side sill that cleans the airflow around the flanks, while ‘pocket’ door handles and the rear wing with integrated fins all play their part, too.
High-tech cabin
Jeep describes the Wagoneer S’s cabin as “tech-integrated,” with a total of 45 inches of screen space available. That’s split across three different displays, with the central 12.3-inch touchscreen joined by a similarly sized digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch passenger display, giving those in the front passenger seat a screen all to themselves.
All three are powered by Jeep’s latest Uconnect 5 technology, which allows them to integrate, so the passenger can send navigation information to the driver’s display from their own display. The screens are also designed to be more responsive than before, with better readability of maps, more true-to-life cameras and widgets that are easier to access.
Electric-vehicle-specific functions have also been included, such as a range-mapping feature that shows drivers how far they can travel on their remaining charge, and a charging status display on the dashboard that activates when the driver approaches with the key.
And it isn’t just the screens that are packed with tech. Jeep has also confirmed the Wagoneer S will be available with a 19-speaker, 1,160-watt McIntosh sound system. There’s antimicrobial upholstery on the steering wheel, too, and electronic door catches make their debut on a Jeep product.
Numerous safety systems
As is the way these days, the Wagoneer S’s in-car technology is not just limited to infotainment. Jeep says the new model will be offered with more than 170 standard safety and security features, including a surround-view camera system that provides a view of the area immediately around the car, and another system to sense when the driver is becoming drowsy. Other features, including cruise control, traffic-sign recognition and a collision avoidance system for use at junctions will also be fitted.
As time goes on, the Wagoneer S will benefit from over-the-air updates, allowing the car to gain extra functions as they become available, with advances in automated driving tech, performance upgrades and software tweaks all in the offing.
Physical controls, too
Despite that, Jeep’s designers are adamant that technology should sit alongside more conventional switchgear and controls, which is why physical volume and heating controls have been retained. The company has also applied a high-tech ceramic coating to some of the interior trim to avoid fingerprints and scratches.
And although the Wagoneer S was conceived as a rival for the Tesla Model Y, Mercedes-Benz EQC and Ford Mustang Mach-E, Jeep claims it feels more spacious than that. In fact, with an 866-litre boot and more rear legroom than the Grand Cherokee, the Wagoneer S is set to be one of the brand’s most practical cars on sale in Europe.
Potent powertrain
Under the skin, the Wagoneer S gets two electric motors that send up to 600hp to all four wheels. Thanks to a 100kWh battery, Jeep promises a range of more than 480km from a single charge, as well as a 0-100km/h time of 3.4 seconds. That makes the Wagoneer S the fastest Jeep ever made.
But though performance is clearly plentiful, Jeep says the focus is on all-terrain capability, and the company has incorporated its Selec-Terrain technology with the powertrain management system to provide different driving modes to suit varying conditions. Auto, Sport, Snow and Sand settings are all available, with different power delivery characteristics associated with each.
However, efficiency and handling were also important considerations for the engineers, so Jeep has ensured the front motor can be deactivated and disconnected from the wheels on a cruise, reducing mechanical drag and improving range.
Similarly, Jeep has improved the torsional rigidity of the Wagoneer S by 35 per cent compared with previous mid-size Jeep models, allowing for better handling, ride comfort and refinement.
Launching next year
Jeep has confirmed the Wagoneer S will go on sale in the USA and Canada later this year, but Irish customers will have to wait until 2025. Final specifications have not yet been confirmed, but we’re expecting to hear more around the turn of the year.