The Jeep® Brand To Offer Electrified Vehicles in Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Nordic countries and Portugal

The Jeep® brand will exclusively offer an electrified SUV range in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Nordic countries, and Portugal, with New Hybrid Versions of the Compass and Renegade.

When these new hybrid models hit the market in March, they will provide buyers with a new entry point into the electric Jeep lineup. These new models join the brand's popular plug-in hybrid 4xe models, which now account for more than 25 percent of overall sales in Europe, and Jeep 4xe models accounted for more than half of total sales in France.

In contrast, Jeep was the dominant brand in the LEV market, comprising Battery Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrids, in Italy, the largest Jeep brand market in Europe.

The new vehicles use a sophisticated hybrid system that includes a new four-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine from the Global Small Engine family that produces 130 horsepower and 240 Nm of peak torque and a new seven-speed 7HDT300 dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A built-in 48-volt 15-kW (20-hp) electric motor providing 55 Nm of torque - equivalent to 135 Nm at gearbox input level - can propel the wheels even when the internal combustion engine is shut off is included in the propulsion system. The new variants consume up to 15 percent less fuel and emit 15 percent less CO2 than earlier petrol models.

Thanks to new hybrid technology, the Jeep Renegade and Compass e-Hybrid models provide a new option in the two-wheel-drive category. Customers may maintain their driving habits while enjoying an actual hybrid driving experience, including full-electric power at start-up, low speeds, cruising, and parking procedures.

Jeep created the new 4-cylinder turbocharged engine as the optimum fit for hybrid use, with improved thermodynamics and lower fuel consumption. It has a high compression ratio (12.5:1), a redesigned cylinder head with a compact combustion chamber, dual variable valve timing, and special 'high-tumble' intake ducts.

It runs on the Miller cycle, which enhances thermal efficiency. The high-pressure direct injection system is new, which can operate at 350 bar. This gasoline engine produces 130 horsepower and 240 Nm of peak torque. A belt starter generator is placed in the petrol engine to ensure quick and silent restarts.

The 2017 Renegade and Compass e-braking Hybrid's system contains the Intelligent Brake System, which has an 'auto-charge' feature that uses mixed regenerative braking to maximise kinetic energy recovery and enhance efficiency.

These hybrid versions provide a varied and comfortable driving experience thanks to the new propulsion system, which includes numerous features that allow the vehicle to move in electric mode ("EV features"). These are some of them: 

Silent Start: starts the vehicle with no need to turn on the petrol engine by using an “EV” pure-electric, silent driving mode.

Energy Recovery: recovers energy that would otherwise be wasted when the vehicle decelerates (e-Coasting) and during braking (Regenerative Braking);

Boost & Load Point Shift: ‘e-Boosting’ allows an increase in torque to the wheels thanks to the electric motor that supports the petrol engine; moreover, by taking advantage of the (drive or braking) torque delivered by the electric motor, it is possible to optimise the operating point of the petrol engine;

Electric Drive: the vehicle can travel in silence and zero emissions using only the electric motor, while the petrol engine is turned off.

The new Jeep Renegade and Compass e-Hybrids can operate solely on electricity in various driving circumstances (and with the petrol engine turned off). This is made feasible via a sort of "EV capabilities," or electric operating modes, which include:

e-Launch: starts the vehicle using only the electric motor when starting up or restarting at traffic lights.

e-Creeping: the electric motor provides the start-up usually seen in automatic vehicles, at a speed that can vary from 0 km/h to the equivalent of the petrol engine idling in first gear or reverse (for example, when manoeuvring).

e-Queueing: the vehicle can keep going in a traffic jam, following a ‘stop & go’ pattern in full-electric mode.

e-Parking: simplifies parking manoeuvres, which can be carried out using electric propulsion only to ensure a practical and quiet experience.

The "Upland" special-edition model was intended to highlight Jeep's environmental awareness and commitment to long-term sustainability. This new special-edition model will be available on Renegade and Compass 4xe Plug-in-Hybrid vehicles and will have distinctive visual features, sustainable materials, and eco-friendly paints and finishes.

Its interior features recycled materials throughout, including the headliner, new, dedicated floor mats, and the exclusive SEAQUAL® seats, which are made of recycled plastic recovered from the ocean and feature distinctive contrast stitching, Jeep logo on the front backrests, and an organic vinyl insert on the upper part.

Some of the black plastic panels and components utilised in the interior of the Renegade are made from recycled materials, notably plastics that were formerly used in headlamps. Several bezels in the cabin have bronze MetaKrome painted finishes, and the door panels and the Compass dashboard are covered in the same material created from recycled plastics. At the same time, a bronze MetaKrome finish made with eco-friendly paints enhances the dashboard's overall look.

The technology in the Renegade and Compass offers a variety of operating modes to give drivers a complete hybrid driving experience. The Hybrid Pages, which allow the driver to monitor the distribution of thermal and electric propulsion and the driving history on petrol or electric, can also regulate the hybrid system. Due to the instrument panel changes, drivers can now monitor all of the hybrid system's settings and have complete control over their driving experience.

It incorporates a touchscreen Uconnect NAV system with 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch (for Compass only) displays and extensive onboard and remote connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

The pre-installed UconnectTM Box provides access to UconnectTM Services and a range of features that owners can access via various touchpoints such as the My Uconnect mobile app, a smartwatch, the website, buttons on the vehicle's ceiling lights, and voice assistants in the new Renegade and Compass hybrid models (Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant).

Customers can use the "My Uconnect" app to access various linked services, including quick and easy administration of the vehicle's condition and maintenance, remote location control, locking and unlocking doors, turning on lights, receiving support if needed, and much more.

Uconnect™ Services include:

My Assistant: to request geo-localised assistance in an emergency or if needed.

My Remote: allows customers to control their vehicle remotely, anywhere and anytime.

My Car: to monitor and take care of the vehicle’s status and health.

My Navigation: allows owners to send their destination to the vehicle’s navigation system directly from the My Uconnect mobile app, receive real-time updates on traffic, weather and speed cams, viewpoints of interest and update the maps over-the-air (on Compass only).

The Optional My Wi-Fi: provides an in-car hotspot that simultaneously connects up to eight electronic devices and activates the “Alexa Voice Service” (Compass only).

The optional My Alert service: customers will receive alerts, support and immediate assistance in the event of theft.

In terms of safety, the advanced standard equipment includes Traffic Sign Recognition, which reads and interprets road signs; Intelligent Speed Assist, which automatically keeps the vehicle within the advertised speed limit; Drowsy Driver Alert, which alerts drivers if their attention falters for a moment; and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Recognition (Compass only), which slows the vehicle to a complete stop.

In addition, a new Highway Assist is also available on the Jeep Compass. For the first time in a Jeep model sold in Europe, this driver assistance system offers Level 2 (L2) autonomous driving, which uses a combination of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering to adjust speed and trajectory when driving on motorways automatically.

Longitude, Night Eagle, Limited, S trim levels, and a special launch edition make up the new hybrid lineup. Standard is standard for front-wheel drive, a new 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine hybrid technology with 130 hp and 240 Nm of peak torque.

The contrasting black roof option and up to eight distinct exterior paint colours for the Renegade and seven for the Compass are available, including the new Matter Azur exclusive to the "Upland." There are a variety of alloy wheel designs available for the Renegade and Compass.