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SPOTTED: Jeep® Recon Moab Testing with Power-Opening Roof

SPOTTED: Jeep® Recon Moab Testing with Power-Opening Roof​

New Images Showcase Jeep® Newest EV Testing​


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The highly anticipated all-electric Jeep® Recon (EJ) Moab 4xe has been spotted testing once again, this time showing off its power-opening roof in what appears to be near-production form. Jeep is pushing forward with the development of this adventure-ready SUV, and the latest images confirm that it retains the brand’s signature open-air experience.

moparinsiders.com

SPOTTED: Jeep® Recon Moab Testing with Power-Opening Roof

Learn about the Jeep Recon, an all-electric SUV with a power-opening roof that enhances the signature Jeep experience.
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There is frustration when pondering these new STLA-large Jeep products. We don't have enough details on the next hybrid transmission. The last thing I would want for going up North in the winter with a snowmobile or four wheeler in tow is a pure BEV. Looking at that straight edge styling and 4WD stance brings up thoughts of tackling winter weather for many here in the snow belt. If the Recon is EV only it won't sell very well in the snow belt.

Since this Jeep model is supposed to be a truly global vehicle, I can envision a modern version of the Willys/Kaiser/Ford Rural wagon. This vehicle started out as Brook Stevens Willys Station in the US which was replaced in 1963 by the original Jeep Wagoneer. Production continued into the 1970's in both Argentina and Brazil, giving the Toyota Land Cruiser a run for its money. Since Latin America gets all the good hardware first, while north of the Rio Grande we get only "market analysis", the Recon built in either Brazil or Argentina might possibly have the diesel power-train from the Rampage. As a result, the Recon will be selling like hotcakes in Latin America while we are still looking for a charging station that works.
 
I think we all need to jump off the EVs don't sell bandwagon. That is just false we need get our collective head out of our rears.

1,3 million vehicles were EV last year, the 4th bestselling vehicle was a pure EV. This doesn't include Hybrids that populate the top ten.

It is huge and growing market segment that is most been completely ignored by this group and the company we support. OUR PERSONAL preference is NOT a market trend, and it this not a TEAM sport. EV Blues stater vs V8 Red stater. Reality is fold V8 is becoming a Niche segment across every OEM and every segment including full sized Trucks. The Ponycar market is drying up completely.

Jumping into a market our company has ignored complete is NOT going all in only on EV. It just appears that way since they are SO far behind. And I did thing Pepe, was a bit over focus on that because frankly he was cheap.

So, can we stop that, though I doubt we will no more that I will stop talking about Team Boilermaker. Good, well performing, affordable EVs do sell, and they sell well.

GIving EV owners off road choice is a niche Jeep should fill. But it would be a shame to waste this lovely sheet metal with the Punch and only EV. As REV would be so welcome along with a E-axle ICE pairing like Compass and Hornet have.
 
A BEV and a 1.6L MHEV. I'm sure it will sell like hotcakes....

Just cancel this already and write it off.

You're either a tech bro that has bought into a Tesla or a Boomer with more money than sense if you buy an EV. Tesla has a lock on the coastal tech bro market and GM and Kia are picking up the scraps for people who don't like Musk/Trump. These 'scraps' have inflicted billions in losses for both GM and Ford. Pass.
 
patfromigh said:
There is frustration when pondering these new STLA-large Jeep products. We don't have enough details on the next hybrid transmission. The last thing I would want for going up North in the winter with a snowmobile or four wheeler in tow is a pure BEV. Looking at that straight edge styling and 4WD stance brings up thoughts of tackling winter weather for many here in the snow belt. If the Recon is EV only it won't sell very well in the snow belt.

Since this Jeep model is supposed to be a truly global vehicle, I can envision a modern version of the Willys/Kaiser/Ford Rural wagon. This vehicle started out as Brook Stevens Willys Station in the US which was replaced in 1963 by the original Jeep Wagoneer. Production continued into the 1970's in both Argentina and Brazil, giving the Toyota Land Cruiser a run for its money. Since Latin America gets all the good hardware first, while north of the Rio Grande we get only "market analysis", the Recon built in either Brazil or Argentina might possibly have the diesel power-train from the Rampage. As a result, the Recon will be selling like hotcakes in Latin America while we are still looking for a charging station that works.
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The 2026 Grand Cherokee / Wrangler / Gladiator 4xE upgrade with the new transmission is interesting (2026 Jeep® Wrangler and Gladiator 4xe Models Will Get This...), but they'll charge a mint for it. $60K+ minimum

Same with the Ramcharger. It will be expensive.

So tell me again how electrification is a free lunch? Just give me a cheap V6/V8 already. And if that isn't available, I'll buy used the rest of my life. I will not give in to the industry's insanity.

There's nothing interesting coming until the Gen 3 Hemi comes back, the next Durango with the 3L I6 comes out in late 2026/early 2027, (which will probably be more expensive than a 2025 Durango 5.7L Hemi - which I looked up, runs in the $50K-ish range). Everything forthcoming is more electrification, more expensive, and more complexity (less reliable).

The only thing that changes this course is Republicans winning again in 2028 - vote like your wallet depends on it, because it does.
 
TripleT said:
GIving EV owners off road choice is a niche Jeep should fill. But it would be a shame to waste this lovely sheet metal with the Punch and only EV. As REV would be so welcome along with a E-axle ICE pairing like Compass and Hornet have.
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I highly doubt the Punch mild hybrid transmission will show up in any STLA-large vehicles. We really don't know anything about this upcoming 3-speed hybrid transmission. Is it a vendor design or was it done in-house? Will the Cherokee and possible ICE Recon have longitudinal or transverse engine placement? Magna has announced that an unspecified Chinese automaker will be using their latest dedicated hybrid drive system and now a production facility is being built in China for it. That particular system has the ability to be both a parallel or series hybrid. It allows the IC engine to run as a range extender or directly drive the wheels, like GM's Volt did. How similar is the next generation CDJR hybrid tansmission?

As far as the Recon goes, it will already have a rear e-axle on the BEV version. What the Recon needs is the Chrysler Citadel concept's front e-axle design. That will allow space for a range extender under the hood of the Recon. At least two long time CDJR suppliers of drivetrain pieces are cataloging ReEV designs. A battery electric Jeep like the Recon is a niche product, but like I stated before, a large part of that niche is towing the winter toys to the frozen wilderness up North. A range extender would be very desirable. A mild hybrid for that purpose would be a disaster.
 
My understanding that there are distinctive platforms within the STLA large architecture, my understand that recon and KM are the Longitudinal platform.

I pray the punch stays out of NA but I guessing Brampton sees it, let keep it away from the KM. Inverter run by the ICE is my preference from durability, and manufacturing complexity.

Mild Hybrid should only be used to describe when the ICE can directly power the drivetrain like ZF or Hornet.
 
TripleT said:
My understanding that there are distinctive platforms within the STLA large architecture, my understand that recon and KM are the Longitudinal platform.

I pray the punch stays out of NA but I guessing Brampton sees it, let keep it away from the KM. Inverter run by the ICE is my preference from durability, and manufacturing complexity.

Mild Hybrid should only be used to describe when the ICE can directly power the drivetrain like ZF or Hornet.
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Longitudinal is good, but I worry about the 1.6 hybrid aspect for KM, and if the Recon will stay BEV only.
 
UN4GTBL said:
Longitudinal is good, but I worry about the 1.6 hybrid aspect for KM, and if the Recon will stay BEV only.
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Agreed if it the Punch, I am staying away until I see how that system does rather 1.3 or 2.0 running a inverter.
 
It looks like a Liberty KK. And we all know what happened to sales when the KJ turned into the KK.....

But hey, at $75k if they can sell three or four units annually more power to 'em.
 
patfromigh said:
I highly doubt the Punch mild hybrid transmission will show up in any STLA-large vehicles. We really don't know anything about this upcoming 3-speed hybrid transmission. Is it a vendor design or was it done in-house? Will the Cherokee and possible ICE Recon have longitudinal or transverse engine placement? Magna has announced that an unspecified Chinese automaker will be using their latest dedicated hybrid drive system and now a production facility isi being built in China for it. That particular system has the ability to be both a parallel or series hybrid. It allows the IC engine to run as a range extender or directly drive the wheels, like GM's Volt did. How similar is the next generation CDJR hybrid tansmission?

As far as the Recon goes, it will already have a rear e-axle on the BEV version. What the Recon needs is the Chrysler Citadel concept's front e-axle design. That will allow space for a range extender under the hood of the Recon. At least two long time CDJR suppliers of drivetrain pieces are cataloging ReEV designs. A battery electric Jeep like the Recon is a niche product, but like I stated before, a large part of that niche is towing the winter toys to the frozen wilderness up North. A range extender would be very desirable. A mild hybrid for that purpose would be a disaster.
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The CX-50 offers an interesting demonstration on what's possible for a Mild Hybrid - https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025-mazda-cx-50-hybrid-first-test-review/

But to your point - no one is really taking a stab at Mild Hybrids in E-segment Unibody SUVS, yet. GM's trio (Acadia, Enclave, Traverse) are all four cylinder ICE.

I would love for Stellantis to pair the Pentastar with a Mild Hybrid in STLA Large. Or use the 3L I6. But I get the feeling the 3L I6 is way more expensive to manufacture than the Pentastar. I am wondering if they are just reserving the 3L I6 for Dodge. Hemis will always be relegated to the top trim levels going forward.
 
The Mazda CX-50 uses Toyota's hybrid system, which is a high voltage design. Mazda is discontinuing the MX-30 model, both the battery electric and the rotary engine range extended model. The US only got the battery electric version and then only on the CARB states. Europe had both versions offered to their market. I don't think this is the last we'll see of the rotary engine range extender.

I think GM cancelling their Volt-Tech program was one of the dumbest moves they made. That program wasn't just the Chevy Volt. There was a Malibu Hybrid, along with mild hybrids and some full EV compliance cars. They went all in on pure battery electric drive, betting the farm on it. It's in the news recently that GM's Bright Drop van is a failure. The van's sales were dismal, and now the Canadian made Bright Drop is doomed by the tariffs. According to analysts GM failed to read the commercial EV van market.They offered a huge battery pack with long range, and an emphasis on high speed charging. While that might work for consumer buyers of BEVs, commercial fleets want a small battery pack which can be charged overnight on a level two charger, and costs less. Ford, Rivian, and Ram listened to their commercial customers.
 
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