Jeep has announced that it is stepping up the electrification of its range by launching the Wrangler 4xe.
Going on sale early next year, the Jeep joins the Renegade and Compass 4xe models that have already been announced. The company say that it will be the most capable, technically advanced and eco-friendly Wrangler ever. Incidentally, the name is pronounced ‘4byE’.
The electrified powertrain combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two motor generators – one is mounted to the engine while the other is integrated into the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The 17kWh, 400v lithium-ion battery pack is mounted beneath the second row of seats while the Integrated Dual Charging and Power Inverter Modules are housed in a steel structure below the battery pack, protecting them from off-road damage.
The result of all this tech are outputs of 375hp and 470lb ft of torque, along with claimed economy of 50mpg. The electric-only range is 25 miles. Full-time four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case ensure the legendary off-road ability is retained, with Jeep saying that the new Wrangler can ford water up to 30 inches deep.
Drivers can choose from a number of ‘E Selec’ powertrain modes, with Hybrid the default setting which blends the engine and motor for the best mix of performance and efficiency.
Electric mode won’t introduce the engine until the battery runs low, while eSave mostly uses the engine, preserving battery charge for later use. A driver-selectable ‘Max Regen’ system increases the amount of regenerative braking available. The chosen mode and other power flow information is displayed on the cabin’s Uconnect touchscreen.
The charge port on the 2021 Jeep® Wrangler 4xe is mounted on the left cowl. The charge port is covered with a push open/push close door.The Wrangler will be available in three main trim levels. The 4xe and Sahara 4xe feature full-time four-wheel drive and the Selec-Trac transfer case, and come with 20-inch wheels. The top-spec Rubicon 4xe gets 17-inch wheels and 33-inch tyres and is equipped with Jeep’s Rock-Trac four-wheel drive system for even greater capability in the rough stuff. In this specification the approach and departure angles are 44 degrees and 35.6 degrees respectively, with a breakover angle of 22.5 degrees.
The new model can also be identified by what Jeep calls ‘Electric Blue’ design cues, the colour being used on various parts of the exterior as well on the seats and interior trim for Rubicon models.
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