CAUGHT: 2022 Jeep® Renegade Limited “e” Mild-Hybrid:

Stellantis powertrain engineers aren’t just working on battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) for the future, but are continuing to improve their current internal combustion engine (ICE) lineups with the help of electrification as well. This includes the company’s Global Small Engine or “GSE” family, also marketed as the FireFly.

The GSE engines have been successful in vehicles like the Jeep® Renegade, Compass, and Fiat 500X. In its turbocharged direct-injection 1.3-liter inline-four-cylinder configuration, the GSE produces 177 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque, quite impressive for such a compact engine. The 1.3-liter was first introduced under the hood of the 2019 Jeep Renegade and has since proved itself in several applications, globally.

The 1.3-liter even became part of the successful plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain for the hot-selling Renegade and Compass 4xe models.

Last year, we learned more about the updates to the GSE family thanks to the Unione Italiana Lavoratori Metalmeccanici (UILM), the Italian metalworkers union. In updated contracts, the UILM said that the Stellantis plant in Termoli would produce 1.0-liter and new 1.5-liter versions of its GSE engine family in both naturally aspirated and hybrid variants. The new confirmed MoparInsiders’ first discussions about an all-new 1.5-liter engine, a year prior.

The new turbocharged 1.5-liter variant will offer mild-hybrid (mHEV) capability thanks to a Getrag 7-speed, wet-dual-clutch, mild-hybrid transmission. The transmission should be an updated version of Getrag’s 7DCT300 transmission. The transmission is expected to feature an integrated electric motor producing 20 horsepower on a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with the possibility of running on just electric power alone. It is still unclear how high of a speed the system will be able to run to.

We have seen multiple Jeep Renegade and Compass test vehicles out testing on European roads, earlier this year with the new system. One of the Renegade prototype showed a white “e” badge on the left side of the rear hatch, similar to the “e” found on 4xe logo. A similar badge is featured on the Chinese-market 2021 Jeep Grand Commander PHEV, which is front-wheel-drive (FWD) based.

These latest series of photos from our friends at GabetzSPYUnit, are showing us a Renegade mHEV model featuring a VP designation decal on the window. VP stands for “Verification of Process”, which validates and provides evidence that the parts of the vehicle meet engineering requirements, quality, durability, and reliabilty. 

A sticker on the outside of this Colorado Red-colored Limited model, also confirms that the displacement will in fact be 1.5-liters. The new engine is expected to be under the hood of the Renegade, Compass, and the all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale. Our sources have indicated that the new turbocharged 1.5-liter mHEV will have a couple of different power levels for the European market, and could have a top output somewhere around 205 horsepower and 229 lb.-ft. (310 Nm) of torque.

We expect the Renegade mHEV to start production by the end of this year, with the Compass mHEV starting production sometime in the first quarter of 2021.

2022 Jeep® Renegade Limited “e” Mild-Hybrid Image Gallery:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.