Jeep is exploring a smaller SUV that would sit below the Renegade in the brand’s lineup and is set to be fully electric. As part of Jeep’s 80th-anniversary celebrations, brand chief Christian Meunier has announced that there will be a “Jeep completely emissions-free in all segments by 2025.”
However, Jeep’s Head of Exterior Design, Mark Allen, also hinted at an expansion of the range to align with electrification: “We are looking at all possible segments,” he said.
Yacarros can reveal that it is set to include a new, small Jeep, and our exclusive image provides a preview of how it might look. When asked if Jeep’s lineup could extend beyond the Wagoneer at the top and Renegade at the bottom, Allen said, “Absolutely, we are looking beyond those projects.”
“Renegade is a B-segment, so obviously there is space below, and that’s something we are looking at. But probably we’re not looking at anything larger than the Wagoneer; it’s a beast!”
Allen also hinted that other new Jeep models are being considered in addition to the smaller model. “There are a couple of other forks in the road that we are looking to cover,” he said. “But I must point out that just a few years ago, we had three vehicles, and we are up to this lineup we have now; we’ve been extremely busy, and it has really been driven by market demand and global coverage.”
Although Allen wouldn’t be drawn on how a new baby Jeep would look, it’s a safe bet to assume it would feature traditional Jeep styling cues like the seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel openings, and short front and rear overhangs. “We always refer back to the first Jeep when we start a new project,” Allen confirmed.
If the baby Jeep arrives before Meunier’s 2025 deadline for full electrification, it would have to use the new generation of the Stellantis parent company’s CMP platform, set to debut in 2022. Although this new CMP version will feature full electrification, as seen in cars like the Peugeot 208/e-208 and 2008/e-2008, and Vauxhall’s Corsa and Corsa-e models, it’s unlikely the platform can accommodate four-wheel drive—a prerequisite for any Jeep.
The new model is most likely to make use of Stellantis’ new electric technology, announced on the company’s recent electric vehicle day. The fully electric STLA Small platform won’t be ready until 2026, but it could well accommodate four-wheel drive with electric motors on both axles. With batteries ranging from 37kWh, Stellantis is also targeting a range of up to 300 miles for its new models, about 100 miles more than what’s available for cars on the existing e-CMP platform.
Meunier also confirmed that a revised version of the Jeep Compass would arrive in the UK before the end of this year, while the new Grand Cherokee should be in showrooms early in 2021. However, there are currently no plans to sell the flagship Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in the UK or the rest of Europe.
Both new models, along with the Renegade and Wrangler, will feature Jeep’s 4xe plug-in hybrid electrification technology before full EV versions arrive in the mid-2020s. Meunier revealed that during June 2021, one-third of all Jeep models sold were 4xe plug-in hybrids.
Although Jeep is committed to electrification, Meunier admitted that Jeep is also exploring hydrogen power. “It’s very exciting,” he said. “We have some ideas of what we can do with it.”
