With the upcoming Geneva Motor Show just around the corner next month, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) might be sharing two new entries of it’s electrification offerings. According to our sources, the Jeep brand will show off to the public their new plug-in hybrid versions of their Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass SUVs.
These new plug-in hybrid versions of the popular global Jeep portfolio, are extremely important for the brand meeting the upcoming European fleet CO2 emissions requirements.
Our sources have also indicated that the new plug-in Jeep Renegade will start production first in 2020 and be manufactured at the Melfi Assembly Plant in Italy. The Jeep Compass version will join the Jeep lineup at a later date during the model year.
The powertrain will consist of the new 1.3-liter GSE turbocharged four-cylinder engine and paired with two electric motors. The more important electric motor will be located at the back axle, which in this application is called an e-axle. The e-axle has a direct single speed transmission and both the Renegade and Compass will offer an electric assisted all-wheel drive or eAWD system. This means that there will be no prop shaft and power at the rear axle can be sent independently from the front axle, which is powered by an internal combustion engine and classic transmission, which will most likely be a dual-clutch or classic automatic transmission.
Both the plug-in Renegade and Compass will be capable of operating in several different modes. That includes an all-electric mode, a full-power mode which combines engine and electric motor power for limited amounts of time and electric assistance mode when extra power is needed. Importantly, is the word that the system will be offered on the popular Trailhawk off-road variant. The new gas engine/electric motor powertrain should offer more than 200 horsepower.
Stay tuned to MoparInsiders.com as we continue to bring you the latest information on the plug-in options for the Renegade and Compass models.
