JEEP appears prepared to hitch the rising variety of manufacturers stepping away from diesel powertrains in favour of electrification because it continues to develop its 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) expertise.
Chatting with Australian media this week, Jeep international president Christian Meunier revealed the next-generation Grand Cherokee because of land right here on the finish of the 12 months wouldn’t be supplied with a diesel engine, however with a 4xe system as an alternative, describing the PHEV tech as limitless.
“There gained’t be a diesel Grand Cherokee and I’m not going to elaborate about diesel and the way forward for diesel and issues like that as a result of I believe you understand…,” he mentioned.
“On the Grand Cherokee the choice was made to go petrol and electrification, so we’re going each ICE and electrified powertrains as a result of that’s the place the long run goes and with electrification on product like Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, we’re capable of ship extra functionality off highway, extra enjoyable to drive, sturdy towing capability, sturdy torque and eco-friendly expertise.
“We imagine that’s the proper world for Jeep; to additionally be capable to drive in e-drive, on electrical just for commuting is a hell of an expertise and we strongly imagine in it.”
Whereas not utterly ruling diesel out of its worldwide line-up simply but, Mr Meunier continued to reward the credentials and capabilities of the 4xe system, even going as far as to say that it was “as competent as a V8”.
In his eyes, Australia remains to be one of many three largest diesel markets alongside Europe and North America and but regardless of this, the model has simply dropped the fuel-type from its Wrangler line-up, leaving the three.6-litre petrol V6 as the one engine possibility.
Coincidentally, that transfer got here simply two days earlier than FCA debuted and detailed the production-spec Wrangler 4xe.
As soon as the current-generation Grand Cherokee departs, there might be only one diesel-powered Jeep supplied in Australia, that being the top-spec Compass Trailhawk, nevertheless feedback made by Mr Meunier may probably throw query marks over its future as nicely.
In keeping with Mr Meunier, the Grand Cherokee 4xe ought to land Down Below at both the very finish of this 12 months or early in 2022 which may make it the primary 4xe-powered car to be supplied regionally.
Ever since Jeep showcased the 4xe system on the 2020 version of Client Electronics Present, FCA Australia has maintained that it’s “monitoring the take up of electrification in Australia” and could be able to launch its “PHEV technique as quickly as shopper urge for food, laws and infrastructure suggests the time is true”.
Given the Compass and equally sized Renegade have been the primary 4xe fashions to be launched internationally, the arrival of the Grand Cherokee 4xe may additionally sign the introduction of the electrified Compass and the tip of diesel for the model in Australia.
Mr Meunier additionally confirmed level clean that there was “for positive” an electrified Gladiator within the works – hardly stunning given it shares the overwhelming majority of its platform and mechanicals with the Wrangler – nevertheless it stays to be seen if it would make it Down Below.
He additionally mentioned he expects the recognition of petrol-powered massive SUVs just like the Grand Cherokee to develop as diesel mills grow to be more and more neutered by ever-tightening emissions laws.
“I’m not saying we couldn’t promote a couple of extra items with diesel, but it surely’s nonetheless 40 per cent of the section is petrol,” he mentioned.
“Diesel engines have gotten increasingly difficult due to emissions – I believe the electrification goes to actually assist us deliver one thing new to the shopper.
“It’s going to be a means additionally for Jeep to distinguish and to point out that we’re actually superior on expertise … individuals are going to adore it, little question.”
Jeep managed to shift 5748 new automobiles in 2020 marking a 4.1 per cent enhance on the 5519 items offered in 2019, with the Grand Cherokee being the majority vendor on each events.
