Jeep Wrangler PHEV Gets All-charged-up on Display at CES 2020
Amidst all the fancy gadgets and gizmos on display in Las Vegas at CES, a PHEV Jeep Wrangler sat pretty.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (or PHEV’s) have been around for quite a while. Though, in recent years, manufacturers have been making both all and partially electric hybrids that have optional AWD. While the Subaru’s hybrid Crosstrek is likely the first AWD PHEV’s marketed to be off-road friendly, the Wrangler leaves nothing to mystery. Finally, Jeep finally joined the green team. It’s about time, too, as Jeep is one of the few brands that doesn’t have at least one hybrid in their lineup. FCA as a parent company have a few through Dodge and Chrysler. Even the Jeep Compass and Renegade will eventually be hybridized. The Wrangler, though, has yet to cruise electric avenue. Until now.
Motor1 captured images of the SUVs of the future. They mentioned that the Renegade and Compass were shown off at 2019’s Geneva Auto Show. However, this is the first breath of public air for the Wrangler. With the Wrangler comes the promise that it’ll be a tough 4×4 ready for everything. Though, the PHEV wasn’t advertised as a 4×4—rather, a 4xE.
That acronym might take some adjustment since it doesn’t make much sense, but sales are destined to make up for it. After all, record after record shows that Americans love to feel good about what they drive. And, to the delight of Wrangler lovers everywhere, the iconic design was left alone. So drivers could be jolly green, and look jolly good (and inconspicuous) doing so.
While information on the Compass and Renegade PHEV’s are available, nothing was said about the Wrangler specifically. No engine specs, nothing said about the power coursing through the 4xE—just that info will, “come later.” Smith doesn’t throw out the possibility that Jeep will utilize the same components as the Compass and the Renegade. Both the Compass and Renegade will be powered by a 1.3-liter turbo four. Paired to it would be an electric motor making either 240 or 190 hp. Additionally, when in all-electric mode, the 4×4 (er, 4xE) SUV would earn 31 mpg. Though, testing is still being done, so final figures aren’t recorded quite yet.
Smith notes that Jeep wrote in a press release assuring that information on the PHEV Wrangler will be revealed later at bigger 2020 shows. For instance, show like the ones in New York, Geneva, and Beijing. Therefore, we at JK-Forums (and surely Smith, too) are on the edge of our seats to learn more.
Photos: Christopher Smith
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