What's the news?
Jeep used the Geneva Motor Show to confirm that plug-in hybrid versions of its Renegade and Compass compact models are inbound.
The two new PHEVs use a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric augmentation. For now, Jeep is being a little cagey with the power figures - the Renegade is said to have anything between 190- and 240hp, while the Compass is simply said to deliver 'up to' 240hp from the same drivetrain.
Jeep is quoting an all-electric range of 50km and a top speed of 130km/h in EV mode for both, with CO2 emissions pegged at less than 50g/km. Jeep would confirm that the Renegade PHEV will do 0-100km/h in around seven seconds, while the Compass PHEV is comfortably the most powerful version of that crossover yet made.
The Jeep PHEVs both have four-wheel drive, but it's what the company is calling electric all-wheel-drive technology (eAWD), as there's no propshaft - instead, the rear axle has a dedicated electric motor, which the company reckons means for a 'more effective' system of torque control than a mechanical link
Both PHEVs will have a dedicated instrument cluster and infotainment screen, relating to their part-electric nature, and additional switchgear in the cabin too.
Anything else?
No word yet on when these two might make it to market, but judging by the polished look of the two Geneva Motor Show display cars, we'd expect both the Renegade PHEV and the Compass PHEV to be on sale well before 2019 is out.