CAUGHT: Turbocharged 2023 Jeep® Avenger Limited!
Our First Look At The ICE Model Without Camo...
Although we are not getting the all-new 2023 Jeep® Avenger (JJ) in the North American market, it will be an integral part of the American adventure brand elsewhere in the world.
The new B-UV from Jeep is smaller than the popular Renegade (BV) B-UV by 16 centimeters (6.3 inches), but it will have a key role in propelling the brand’s future towards electrification.
With that being said, the focus on the Avenger has been completely on it being the brand’s first-ever production battery-electric vehicle (BEV). But, the Avenger has another mission outside of electrification. It will be offered in most markets outside of Europe with both an all-electric and an internal combustion engine (ICE).
As certain global markets have yet to develop an electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Jeep will offer the Avenger B-UV with a turbocharged 1.2-liter PureTech inline-three-cylinder engine from the PSA side of the Stellantis portfolio. Since pre-ordering for the Polish-built Jeep has opened in Europe, only two countries have the option of choosing the Avenger with an ICE powertrain: Spain and Italy.
Found under the hood of the current Opel Corsa, the turbocharged 1.2-liter PureTech inline-three-cylinder (codenamed EB2ADTD) is capable of producing 74 kW (100 horsepower) @ 5,500 rpm and 205 N⋅m (151 lb.-ft.) of torque at 1,750 rpm while meeting Euro 6 standards. In Opel Corsa spec, the engine is mated to either a 6-speed PSA MB6 manual transmission or an 8-speed AWF8F automatic transmission sourced from Aisin.
Unlike the rest of the Jeep portfolio, the Avenger is only available in front-wheel drive (4×2). It did showcase four-wheel drive (4×4) capability with the Avenger 4xe Concept at the Paris Motor Show, but an official announcement for production has yet to be confirmed.
This particular front-wheel drive 1.2-liter PureTech-powered Avenger caught by our good friend Walter Vayr (@GabetzSPYUnit), was testing on public roads in Italy this past week. It marks the first time we have seen the ICE variant of the new Avenger without camouflage.
These latest images show us that the Avenger, like many of the newer Jeep vehicles, simply uses its iconic seven-slot grille as a styling treatment instead of function. All of the intake air for the turbo 1.2-liter comes from the mid-and lower-front fascia.
Although this test vehicle is absent of any trim badging, we believe it to be more than likely a Limited model judging by the wheel design. Jeep has yet to discuss any other details on other trims, other than the 1st Edition Launch Edition, thus far.
After its launch in enlarged Europe is complete, Jeep says it will launch the Avenger in both Japan and South Korea sometime before Q2 2023.
2023 Jeep® Avenger Limited ICE Model Image Gallery: