Who would have thought it? An off-road legend, with a history dating back to 1941, accepting help from the electricity industry? Yet it is so. That’s right: The Jeep Wrangler now comes as a plug-in (PHEV) hybrid. Fortunately, that does not mean it has lost that tough, sleeves-rolled-up approach to rugged terrain; in fact it is better than it ever was. We learn that this latest model is the most capable, powerful, efficient, eco-friendly and technically advanced Wrangler ever introduced in the UK and Europe.
The Wrangler hybrid is available in three trim levels – Sahara 4xe, Rubicon 4xe and the exclusive 4xe 80th Anniversary special edition, with a choice of two 4x4 systems and 17 and 18 inch alloy wheels. Ten exterior paint colours are available and all colour options can be combined with the choice of soft top, hard top, power soft top and dual top roof configurations for an unparalleled open-air driving experience, in typical Wrangler style.
On The Outside
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe Hybrid, to give the car its full title, maintains the iconic and squared-away design aesthetic of the version with the internal combustion engine, with its unmistakable functional elements such as the trapezoidal wheel arches, the regulation seven-slot grille and round headlights.
The 4xe version features the added highlight of a new electric blue colouring on the ‘Jeep’, ‘4xe’, ‘Trail Rated’ and ‘Wrangler Unlimited’ badges, while the Rubicon trim level sports additional aesthetic cues, with the unique blue colouring tracing the Rubicon name on the bonnet, rear tow hook and black bonnet decal with 4xe logo.
The exterior of the new Wrangler 4xe is further enhanced by a range of alloy wheels dedicated to the 4xe versions. The electric charge port features a push-open/push-close cover and is located on the left front cowl of the Wrangler 4xe for easy and convenient nose-in parking at charging locations. The charge port includes a LED indicator to show charging status.
The 4xe’s advanced power-train combines two electric motor generators and a 400-volt battery pack with an efficient turbocharged, 2.0 litre, four-cylinder engine and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. This architecture optimises the efficiency of the hybrid propulsion components and pairs them with the proven driveline of the Wrangler, enabling this particular Jeep to deliver a maximum combined power output of 380hp (280 kW) and 637Nm of torque. Plenty for going where no wheels have gone before.
Further, the 2.0-litre ‘I-4’ turbo-charged engine is a high-tech, direct-injection petrol motor using a Twin Scroll, low-inertia turbo-charger mounted directly to the cylinder head, along with a dedicated cooling circuit for the turbo-charger, intake air and throttle body. It seems this is a combination of technologies that improves responsiveness, and ensures performance and fuel efficiency, say the Jeep engineers. With all-wheel-drive engaged, all four wheels feed torque for regenerative braking, maximising the energy recovery. The electricity due to regenerative braking is accumulated in the battery pack to maintain or increase the state of charge.
On The Inside
Exclusive content makes the 4xe version the most high-tech Wrangler ever. All versions feature a new TFT instrument panel with 7 inch colour screen and the ‘Uconnect’ 8.4 inch NAV touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus specific Hybrid Pages for the monitoring of electrified driving.
A LED battery level monitor is mounted on top of the instrument panel, making it easy to check the state of the battery charge at a glance, while the ‘E-Selec’ buttons for the three electrified driving modes are housed adjacent to the steering wheel. The Wrangler 4xe Rubicon also includes unique electric blue stitching on the seats and trims. There’s also a splendid 9-speaker Alpine audio system with 552W subwoofer.
In terms of safety, the new Wrangler 4xe offers the most advanced ADAS systems, including standard blind spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, rear-view camera, Electronic Stability Control with Electronic Roll Mitigation, front and rear park assist and Keyless ‘Enter’n’Go’. Optional safety features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning Plus and new forward-facing camera (standard on the Rubicon edition). For new orders, over one hundred accessories and options are available to personalise the vehicle or equip it for whatever the buyer has in mind.
Off The Road (And On It)
The heritage of the premium Jeep Wrangler has always been defined by its legendary off-road capability. All Jeep Wrangler 4xe models are equipped with sophisticated full-time active on-demand 4x4 systems: Selec-Trac on the Sahara 4xe and 80th Anniversary 4xe trims, and Rock-Trac on the Rubicon 4xe, the most capable version for off-road driving.
When the drivetrain is shifted to four-wheel drive low-range, all Wrangler 4xe power modes are available: Hybrid, Electric and E-Save. The seamless integration of electric power into the 4x4 drivetrain elevates the Wrangler 4xe to new levels of off-road performance.
Off-road enthusiasts will find that the instant availability of torque from the electric motor in the Wrangler 4xe delivers a more precise and controlled driving experience for climbing and crawling and there’s no need to build up engine rpm to get the tyres to move, minimising driveline shock loading and maximising control and speed, say the experts. There’s also a Trac-Lok limited slip differential and electronic front sway-bar disconnect.
In full electric mode, the Wrangler 4xe uses four-wheel-drive to deliver benchmark off-road performance and safety and allows occupants the pleasure of hearing the full sounds of nature, like the approach of a bear or an angry moose; not that UK drivers experience much of that sort of thing, but where you live around the globe it might be an advantage!
On the road, especially around town the ability to move on electricity alone is an advantage and certainly a fuel saver. Fuel efficiency also benefits with both the frugal two litre and the EV motors working together. As ever with the Wrangler, the big wheels and tyres do slightly compromise on-the-road driving, but its a minor issue when you consider just how able this car is in all conditions.
MHH International offer a comprehensive export service from the UK to various global destinations like Kenya, New Zealand and the Caribbean, VAT-free. If you are interested in finding out to purchase your own Jeep vehicle (the Compass has a Hybrid version now too) then please get in touch.
