Jeep celebrates its 80th anniversary by looking to the future … and the past

Jeep is currently in a pivotal period in its history. We are multiplying the models like never before while ensuring a gradual transition to electrification.

Jeep looks back on its 80-year history, but is taking advantage of the moment to launch a collection of new models while affirming its electrification intentions. While it all started in 1941, in wartime today Jeep seeks to take part in the battle towards electrification.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od6s6uEFFYE

4xe hybridization

Two products should be remembered with this in mind, the Wrangler and the all-new Grand Cherokee 4xe. For Jeep, 4xe is synonymous with plug-in hybrid. While many believed in the failure of this technological avenue, it seems that Jeep enthusiasts espouse the environmental cause, since the Wrangler 4xe is now the best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle south of the border and accounts for nearly a quarter of model sales. The arrival of the Grand Cherokee with electric range is also a big step considering the popularity of the model. Christian Meunier, the boss of Jeep, says that, by 2025, all Jeep product lines without exception will at least be entitled to a 4xe version.

Freedom electrification

In the same vein, 100% pure electrification remains undefined for the manufacturer. There will indeed be an electric Wrangler based on the Magneto concept unveiled at the Easter Jeep Safari in Utah. If one relies on the video presented on the “Stellantis EV Day” last week, this version will be called Freedom. Obviously, nothing is known of the technical data of the Wrangler Freedom, nor its release date. On the other hand, we can see some distinctive elements such as the layout of the grille and the integration of LEDs in the 7 openings of the grille.

Gadgets and technologies

Also in this video, Jeep unveils a variety of innovative accessory projects for lovers of off-road activities. First, multiple port charging stations on large trails. Jeep is already working with the US charging station authorities to establish and expand the network in remote locations. For the moment, it is impossible to know if these same discussions are also taking place with Canada or the Electric Circuit du Québec.

In the toy department, interesting accessories and features such as autonomous off-road driving will be offered. When you go on an expedition, all you have to do is enter the GPS location of your destination, and the vehicle will go there on its own to wait for you. We can bet that there are a lot of challenges to overcome before this technology comes to fruition. Even more pleasant, it will eventually be possible to pair a drone that will follow the vehicle during off-road trips for the production of images.

When approaching the vehicle and upon entering it, visual biometric recognition will allow the vehicle to unlock and, depending on its programming, adopt the configuration of the seat and mirrors of the person heading towards the vehicle. left door.

For night trips, the backrests of the front seats can tilt completely to form a bed. The principle is exactly the same as at Ford with the “Max Recline Seat”, except that, in the Jeep, you can look at the stars if the roof is removed.

But today, we make everything bigger

While we are talking about the future and electrification, today, Jeep seems to be going squarely in the opposite direction with the unveiling of new products for the 2022 model year. First, we can name the Wrangler 392 equipped with ‘a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower. Then the Grand Cherokee L which only offers a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or, again, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, both of which are old technologies. It is difficult to understand why the 4xe engine that will be found in the regular Grand Cherokee is not already there.

Along with this, Jeep is reintroducing the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, two full-size SUVs. The first targets the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban and GMC Yukon / Yukon XL directly, while the second targets the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade. While we could enjoy the novelty by offering electrification for the first time in these segments, we remain very conservative by offering only V8s as standard equipment: the 5.7-liter 392 horsepower for the Wagoneer. and the 6.4-liter 471 horsepower for the Grand Wagoneer.

Fortunately, Jeep has already confirmed that these two giants of the road will also eventually be entitled to a 4xe plug-in hybrid engine. The fact remains that Jeep is missing a great opportunity to position itself advantageously in front of its competitors in terms of alternative engines.

The announcements are made, Jeep certainly has a few surprises in store for us over the next few years, but we can certainly not say that the manufacturer is taking the lead against the competition.