It was a matter of time before this happened. The Wrangler, the natural heir of the first Jeep model, has just surrendered to electrification.
We went to Italy, more specifically to Turin, to get to know the Wrangler 4x first hand and we tell you everything there is to know about the first plug-in hybrid Wrangler in history.
It all started 80 years ago, in 1941, with the legendary Willys MB commissioned by the US Army. This small military vehicle would eventually be the origin of the Jeep, a brand so iconic that its name even became synonymous with off-road vehicles.
For all these reasons, if there is one thing we always expect from the American brand — now integrated into Stellantis — they are very capable off-road proposals. Now, in the age of electrification, these requirements haven't changed. At the very most, they were reinforced.
The first model of the Jeep electrified offensive to pass through our hands was the Compass Trailhawk 4xe, which João Tomé tested and approved. Now, it's time to drive the “spearhead” of this strategy for the first time: the Wrangler 4xe.
This is, without any doubt, the most iconic Jeep model. For this reason, it is in him that most expectations fall. But did it pass the test?
Image has not changed. And thankfully…
From an aesthetic point of view, there are no major changes to register. The sculptural design of the internal combustion engine versions remains and continues to be marked by unmistakable details such as trapezoidal mudguards and round headlights.
In addition to all this, in the Rubicon version, exclusive elements such as the Rubicon inscription in blue on the hood, the black stripe — also on the hood — with the “4xe” logo and the rear tow hook also in blue, stand out.
The most high-tech wrangler ever
Inside, more technology. But always without “pinching” the already iconic image of this model, which maintains the robust finishes and details such as the handle in front of the “hangs” seat and the exposed screws on the doors.
At the top of the instrument panel we find a monitor with LED that shows the battery charge level and to the left of the steering wheel we have the “E-Selec” buttons that allow us to switch between the three available driving modes: hybrid , Electric and E-Save.
The "secret" is in the mechanics
The powertrain of the Wrangler 4xe combines two electric motor-generators and a lithium-ion battery pack of 400 V and 17 kWh with a turbo petrol engine with four cylinders and 2.0 liters of capacity.
The first electric generator-motor is connected to the combustion engine (replaces the alternator) and in addition to working together with it, it can also function as a high-voltage generator. The second is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission — where the torque converter is usually mounted — and has the function of producing traction and recovering energy during braking.
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All in all, this Jeep Wrangler 4xe boasts a maximum combined power of 380 hp (280 kW) and 637 Nm of torque. Managing the power and torque of the electric motor and the combustion engine are two clutches.
The first is mounted between these two units and, when open, allows the Wrangler 4x to run in 100% electric mode even without any mechanical connection between the combustion engine and the electric motor. When closed, torque from the 2.0 liter petrol block joins the energy of the electric motor through the automatic transmission.
The second clutch is positioned behind the electric motor and manages the engagement with the transmission to improve efficiency and ease of driving.
Another important element of the Wrangler 4xe is the placement of the battery pack under the second row of seats, encased in an aluminum casing and protected from outside elements. Thanks to this, and with the rear seats in an upright position, the luggage capacity of 533 liters is exactly the same as that of the combustion engine version.
three driving modes
The potential of this Jeep Wrangler 4xe can be explored using three distinct driving modes: Hybrid, Electric and E-Save.
In hybrid mode, as the name suggests, the gasoline engine works together with the two electric motors. In this mode, battery power is used first and then, when the load reaches a minimum level or the driver requires more torque, the 4-cylinder engine “wakes up” and kicks in.
In electric mode, the Wrangler 4x runs on electrons only. However, when the battery reaches its minimum charge level or requires more torque, the system immediately starts the 2.0 liter petrol engine.
Finally, in E-Save mode, the driver can choose between two modes (via the Uconnect system): Battery Save and Battery Charge. In the first, the powertrain gives priority to the gasoline engine, thus saving the battery charge for later use. In the second, the system uses the internal combustion engine to charge the battery up to 80%.
In any of these modes, we can always recover the kinetic energy generated during deceleration and braking through regenerative braking, which has a standard mode and a Max Regen function, which can be activated by means of a specific button in the center console.
With this function activated, regenerative braking gains a distinct, stronger regulation and is capable of generating more electricity for the batteries.
At the wheel: in the city…
The curiosity to “get their hands on” the first electrified Wrangler was great, and the truth is that he didn't disappoint, quite the contrary. The route that the Jeep prepared started right in the center of Turin and involved driving about 100 kilometers to Sauze d’Oulx, in the mountains, already very close to the French border.
In between, a few kilometers in the city, which were made using 100% electric mode, and about 80 kilometers on the highway. And here, the first big surprise: a Wrangler that doesn't make any noise. Now here is something that many never dreamed of seeing. These are the signs of time...
Always very smooth and silent, this Wrangler 4x really reinforces the city skills of this model. And that was something that those responsible for the Jeep were keen to highlight during the European presentation. But we are still 4.88m long, 1.89m wide and 2,383kg. And these numbers are impossible to “erase” on the road, especially in the city's ranks.
On the other hand, the elevated position and the very wide windshield allow us to have a wide view of everything in front of us. Backwards, and as with any Wrangler, visibility is not so good.
Another good surprise is the functioning of the hybrid system, which almost always does its job without being too noticeable. And that's a huge compliment. The motive system is actually something complex. But on the road it doesn't make itself felt and everything seems to happen in a… simple way.
If we want to exploit all the power we have at our disposal, this Wrangler always answers in the affirmative and lets us accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.4s, enough to shame some models with sportier responsibilities when leaving the traffic lights .
If, on the other hand, our desire is to “appreciate the views” and navigate peacefully through the urban jungle, this Wrangler 4x changes the “chip” and assumes a surprisingly civilized posture, especially if we have enough battery capacity to activate 100% electric mode.
And the direction?
The 400 kg extra compared to the versions with combustion engine of the Wrangler makes itself felt, but the truth is that this model never stood out for its dynamics on the road, especially in the Rubicon version, equipped with rougher mixed tyres.
As with any other Wrangler, this 4x almost always calls for smooth steering movements and longer curves. The bodywork continues to adorn in curves and if we adopt higher rhythms — which is very easy in this version… — this is quite noticeable, although this variant even presents a better weight distribution, due to the fact that the batteries are mounted under the rear seats.
But let's face it, this model wasn't designed to “attack” a winding mountain road (although it has improved a lot in this chapter over the years).
And off the road, it's still a… Wrangler?
It's off the road that the Wrangler comes to life and despite more skeptical comments when this electrified version was announced, I would venture to say this is the most capable (production) Wrangler we've seen in Europe.
And it wasn't hard to see it. For this presentation of the Wrangler 4xe, the Jeep prepared a challenging trail — about 1 hour — which included passing through one of the ski slopes of Sauze d’Oulx, in the Italian region of Piedmont.
We passed through places with more than 40 cm of mud, over steep rocky slopes and even land without road access and this Wrangler didn't even “sweat”. And want to know the best? We did almost the entire off-road route in 100% electric mode. Yes that's right!
The 245Nm of torque from the second electric motor — the only one that has traction functions — is available from the moment you hit the accelerator and this completely transforms the off-road experience.
If in a Wrangler with a conventional engine we are “forced” to accelerate to reach the necessary torque to overcome a certain obstacle, here we can always continue at the same speed, in a very calm way.
And this was really one of the biggest surprises of this plug-in hybrid variant, which can travel up to 45 km (WLTP) in electric mode. During this trail, we also had the opportunity to switch between 4H AUTO (selectable permanent active drive and all-wheel drive at high gears) and 4L (all-wheel drive at low gears) mode.
Remember that the Wrangler 4xe, in the Rubicon version, offers a low-speed gear ratio of 77.2:1 and features the Rock-Trac permanent all-wheel drive system, which includes a two-speed transfer box with a gear ratio. in low-range 4:1 state-of-the-art Dana 44 front and rear axles and electric lock on both Tru-Lok axles.
In addition to the lower protection plates, present in any version of the Wrangler Rubicon, this 4x version also saw all the high voltage electronic components and systems, including the connection between the battery pack and the electric motors, being sealed and waterproofed.
What about consumptions?
It is true that we covered almost the entire off-road trail in Electric mode, but until we got there, alternating between Hybrid and E-Save mode, we were making average consumptions below 4.0 l/100 km, which is a frankly interesting record for a “monster” weighing almost 2.4 tons.
However, when the battery ran out, consumption rose beyond 12 l/100 km. Still, we never made any effort to keep consumption more “controlled”. The “firepower” of this 4xe was too surprising for us not to be constantly checking it out.
Price
Already available on the Portuguese market, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe starts at 74 800 euros in the Sahara version, which marks the entry-level of this electrified Jeep.
Just above, with a base price of 75 800 euros, comes the Rubicon variant (the only one we've tested in this European presentation of the model), much more focused on off-road use. The highest equipment level is the 80th Anniversary, which starts at 78 100 euros and as the name suggests pays tribute to the 80th anniversary of the American brand.
Technical specifications
| Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe | |
|---|---|
| Combustion Engine | |
| Architecture | 4 cylinders in line |
| Positioning | longitudinal front |
| Capacity | 1995 cm3 |
| Distribution | 4 valves/cylinder, 16 valves |
| Food | Injury direct, turbo, intercooler |
| power | 272 hp at 5250 rpm |
| Binary | 400 Nm between 3000-4500 rpm |
| Electric motors | |
| power | Engine 1: 46 kW (63 hp): Engine 2: 107 kW (145 hp) |
| Binary | Engine 1: 53Nm; Engine 2: 245 Nm |
| Maximum Combined Yield | |
| Maximum Combined Power | 380 hp |
| Maximum Combined Binary | 637 Nm |
| Drums | |
| Chemistry | lithium ions |
| Capacity | 17.3 kWh |
| charge power | Alternating current (AC): 7.2 kW; Direct current (DC): ND |
| Loading | 7.4 kW (AC): 3:00 am (0-100%) |
| Streaming | |
| Traction | on 4 wheels |
| Gear box | Automatic (torque converter) 8 speed. |
| Dimensions and Capabilities | |
| Comp. x Width x Alt. | 4.882 m x 1.894 m x 1.901 m |
| Between axles | 3,008 m |
| trunk | 533 l (1910 l) |
| Deposit | 65 l |
| Weight | 2383 kg |
| Tires | 255/75 R17 |
| TT skills | |
| angles | Attack: 36.6º; Output: 31.8º; Ventral: 21.4º; |
| ground clearance | 253 mm |
| ford ability | 760 mm |
| Installments, Consumptions, Emissions | |
| Maximum speed | 156 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h | 6.4s |
| electrical autonomy | 45 km (WLTP) |
| mixed consumption | 4.1 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 94 g/km |