The new Renegade 4xe will be the first electrified Jeep model to reach the UK. The Renegade 4xe can be driven on 100 per cent electric thanks to a 11.4 kWh battery paired with a 59 bhp electric motor, to ensure a range of 26mph and zero tailpipe emissions in full-electric mode. With two electric motors featuring Powerloop, all-wheel drive is always available to tackle off-road work

Renegade 4xe reaches a top speed of 124mph, returns 123-134mpg and emits less than 50g/km of CO₂ in hybrid mode. Available in a choice of three trim levels and two power outputs. The Renegade 4xe will be in showrooms in September with prices starting from £32,600.

The all-terrain evolution
The Jeep Renegade 4xe is built at the FCA Melfi Plant in Basilicata (Italy), where the Jeep Renegade has been in production since 2014. Although production of the Jeep Renegade 4xe is in Melfi, the first full-cycle Jeep factory outside North America, the development process culminated at the Arjeplog Proving Grounds in Swedish Lapland. Up to 3,800km (2,360 miles) of road tests were clocked up to put the Jeep Renegade plug-in hybrid through its paces in all conditions that customers might need to tackle.

Leader in off and on-road driving
Jeep says that courtesy of the plug-in hybrid technology, the new Renegade 4xe offers the best performance and driving dynamics of any Jeep SUV ever but that at the same time, it is ideal for everyday driving in the city, thanks to the plug-in hybrid system that allows it to travel with zero tailpipe emissions for a range of up to 26 miles in full-electric mode. On longer trips, combined with the internal combustion engine, CO₂ emissions are less than 50g/km in hybrid mode. In case of extended off-road driving, two electric motors featuring Powerloop ensure that eAWD traction is always available.

Jeep Renegade 4xe, powertrain
The Jeep Renegade 4xe pairs a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor, located between the rear axle, which is powered by an 11.4 kWh battery that can be recharged while driving or through an external power outlet or charge point. On its own, the 1.3-litre turbo engine delivers a power output of 128 bhp or 178 bhp, plus the 59 bhp produced by the electric motor, giving a total of 187 bhp in the Longitude and Limited version or 237 bhp in the Trailhawk model. In terms of torque, the electric motor produces 184 ft lb, while the combustion engine delivers 199 ft lb. The combination of an internal combustion engine and the electric units produces acceleration from zero to 62mph in around 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 81mph in full electric and up to 124mph in hybrid mode.

A full line-up
The new Jeep Renegade 4xe line-up includes three trim levels – Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk – all featuring four-wheel-drive (eAWD) and a six-speed automatic transmission.

A wide range of customisation options are available, with up to 18 different exterior colors including Alpine White, Glacier, Granite Crystal, Jetset Blue, Blue Shade, Sting Grey, Colorado Red, Carbon Black and Solid Black. Bikini and Omaha Orange and exclusive to Limited and Trailhawk trims and Matt Green can only be found on the Trailhawk. In addition, up to four specific wheel designs are available for the Renegade 4xe.

Electrified driving modes
Customers can personalise their driving experience according to their specific needs and the type of journey with a choice of three operating modes – Hybrid, Electric and E-save. The desired mode can be activated using the selector switch, located in front of the gear lever. In all driving modes, the regenerative braking system recovers energy during passive driving phases, such as deceleration or light braking. Additionally, the Renegade 4xe travels in hybrid mode when the battery reaches the minimum charge level, regardless of the selected mode.

More in details:

• HYBRID is the default mode selected when the car is started. It is designed to manage and use the system in the most efficient way, optimising power and minimising fuel consumption. The internal combustion engine and electric motor work together, with braking energy recovery phases. Initially, the system favours electric driving, with the power supplied by the electric motor. When the battery reaches the minimum charge level (State Of Charge – SOC), the internal combustion engine is used for propulsion. The system manages start-up and intervention through an optimisation algorithm (Hybrid Control Processor – HCP) designed to maximize the system efficiency levels.
• ELECTRIC is the mode that provides a full-electric range of about 26miles with zero tailpipe emissions. It is designed to maximize the electric driving experience through a different calibration of the HCP optimisation algorithm. The car drives in electric-only mode until there isn’t sufficient charge in the battery. The system automatically switches to HYBRID mode when the battery is completely flat or when the driver kicks-down. A top speed of up to 81mph can be reached.
• E-SAVE is the mode for maintaining battery charge or for charging it while driving using the internal combustion engine. E-SAVE mode supports two secondary modes, called Battery Save (passive E-SAVE) and Battery Charge (active E-SAVE), both of which can be activated on the Uconnect system screen.

o   Passive E-SAVE or Battery Save maintains the state of charge of the battery through the predominant use of the internal combustion engine

o   E-SAVE active or Battery Charge charges the battery up to 80 per cent through the operation of the internal combustion engine on which the combined front electric generator acts.

Regenerative braking
Regenerative braking is a fundamental element of the ecological nature of the Jeep Renegade 4xe, allowing kinetic energy to be recovered during deceleration or braking phases. The energy is stored in the battery pack instead of being dissipated as heat from the brake discs. The conventional brake system is used to stop the car in the event of emergency braking or when traveling at very low speeds.

eCoasting
eCoasting mode is always active, regardless of the driving mode, to maximise energy recovery when the throttle and brake pedals are released. An ‘Intense’ eCoasting mode can be activated by a button on the central tunnel when the transmission is in the Drive position. A light on the instrument panel indicates the level of eCoasting activated:

• White, if the ‘Intense’ function is selected but not active
• Green, if the ‘Intense’ function is selected and active

In ‘Intense’ mode the regenerative braking calibration is greater when coasting, reducing the speed faster and generating more electricity to be returned to the battery pack.

Easy charging
In partnership with Digital Charging Solutions (DCS), customers who choose the Jeep Renegade 4xe will have access to My easy Charge, a digital service providing access to what is claimed to be the largest public charging network in the world, managed by DCS. A dedicated app and a single card will offer access to more than 130,000 charging stations in 21 European countries.

In conjunction with ENGIE Eps and Terna, FCA e-Mobility has developed laboratories for innovative technologies, such as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), a system whereby an electric car interacts with the electricity network to return or store energy.