Jeep introduced new versions of Renegade and Compass for the European market

The American brand plans to switch to sales of hybrid models before the end of this year in most countries of the Old World.

The Jeep brand is now owned by automotive giant Stellantis, which was formed about a year ago as a result of the merger between FCA and the PSA group. The American brand is doing well in the European market as a whole: according to the results of Covid 2020, Jeep cars have a circulation of 120,489 copies, which is 26.2% less than a year earlier. Sales grew last year: according to the Carsalesbase website, in January-November 2021 (the latest data is not yet available), dealers sold 119,062 copies, which is 10.1% more than in the first 11 months of 2020.

In the photo: Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid

In the future, the brand intends to strengthen its position in the market of the old world, where the gradual tightening of environmental standards continues. So there is nothing surprising in Jeep's new goal: by the end of this year, the company intends to completely switch to the sale of hybrid models in most European countries. As explained in the old world office of the brand, we are talking about Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, the Nordic countries and Portugal.

Pictured: Jeep Compass e-Hybrid

The company has calculated that plug-in hybrids now account for only a quarter (25%) of total Jeep vehicle sales in the European Union. So the lineup already includes Renegade 4xe, Compass 4xe and Wrangler 4xe. Going forward, the “regular” hybrid versions of the Jeep Renegade and Compass crossovers, which the company introduced today for the European market, will help increase the share of electrified models sold.

New modifications of Renegade and Compass received the e-Hybrid prefix to the name. The power plant of these models is unique, it is based on a 1.5-liter gasoline “turbo” from the GSE (Global Small Engine) family with direct fuel injection. Engine power is 130 hp and maximum torque is 240 Nm.

This engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that houses a 48-volt, 20-horsepower (55 Nm) electric motor. It works mainly when starting off, as well as when driving at low speeds (used when parking or in slow traffic conditions). When the speed increases, the internal combustion engine automatically switches to work.

The company did not disclose the battery capacity of the Jeep Renegade and Compass e-Hybrid. The first hybrid needs 9.7 seconds to accelerate from standstill to “hundreds”, the second model needs exactly 10 seconds.

Residents of Italy, France and Germany can already order models with the addition of the name e-Hybrid. Renegade can be purchased for a minimum of 32,200 euros (equivalent to about 2.79 million conventional units at the current exchange rate), while such a Compass will cost a minimum of 36,200 euros (about 3.14 million conventional units). For comparison, prices for the same models in plug-in hybrid versions with the prefix 4xe start at 39,500 euros (about 3.42 million conventional units) and 45,850 euros (about 3.98 million conventional units), respectively.