JEEP has very quietly confirmed than an all-electric model of its Wrangler off-roader is within the works, with the inexperienced 4×4 idea set to be revealed at this yr’s Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.
Quickly dubbed the Wrangler BEV Idea, little or no has been revealed concerning the new challenge apart from a single darkened teaser picture and adjoining animation revealing a twin-motor drive system.
Specifics together with battery capability, energy outputs, vary, value and off-road capabilities will all stay a thriller till the official reveal in late March/early April.
Removed from marketed, the brand new idea was first teased on Jeep’s new ‘The Highway Forward’ microsite; a touchdown web page designed to stipulate its imaginative and prescient for the longer term, which, shock shock, consists largely of electrification.
The teaser picture and adjoining animation are tucked away in a nook about midway down the web page, captioned by: “We plan to disclose a 100 per cent battery powered Wrangler BEV idea automobile as a part of the Jeep Model idea autos on the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah”.
Analyzing the 3D animation of the platform reveals the Wrangler BEV Idea doesn’t sit by itself bespoke platform, however somewhat an improvised model of the common Wrangler’s ladder-frame chassis with the battery damaged into three sections and stowed below the ground within the center and rear of the automobile with a fourth and probably fifth part housed in what was beforehand the engine bay.
Maybe essentially the most attention-grabbing characteristic of the platform is the inclusion of what appears to be like to be a standard transmission regardless of the electrical powertrain, doubtlessly pointing to super-low, off-road minded gearing, in step with the Wrangler ethos of off-road functionality.
Styling-wise, the BEV Idea appears to be like set to characteristic all the normal design cues related to the JL Wrangler, together with the four-door physique type.
Subsequent to the teaser is a panel devoted to showcasing how Jeep plans to assist its new inflow of 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and eventual BEVs, that being solar-powered chargers.
“Plans to put in photo voltaic powered charging stations in assist of the Jeep Badge of Honour trails throughout the U.S. are underway,” the caption reads.
“Search for them at iconic Jeep Model places resembling Moab in Utah and the Rubicon Path in California.”
This can be very unlikely we are going to see any of those chargers in Australia within the close to future nevertheless given the actual fact Jeep doesn’t presently supply any electrified autos in our market, that’s till the new-generation Grand Cherokee arrives with a 4xe powertrain early subsequent yr.
It could possibly be even longer earlier than we see the Wrangler BEV in native showrooms – if it goes into manufacturing – on account of our lacklustre EV infrastructure compared to Europe, China and North America.
In accordance with Jeep world president Christian Meunier, Australia “is unquestionably not prepared for BEV” on account of this lack of infrastructure and so “there’s no level in making an attempt to push” that kind of product right here.
Mr Meunier’s feedback had been made final month throughout a roundtable convention with native media concerning the future path and plans for Jeep following the reveal of the brand new Grand Cherokee.
He mentioned extra assist and incentives had been wanted from the federal government to increase Australia’s EV infrastructure and stimulate native EV gross sales.
