The Jeep® brand has demonstrated its 4×4 capability leaders for nearly 80 years now. Now that the iconic off-road brand is merging electrification into its product lineup, its time to show the public the benefits of electrification in off-road conditions like it has with its legendary four-wheel-drive systems and even recently its diesel applications in its halo vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler.
For those who are attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jeep is giving attendees a unique opportunity to see the all-new 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), as well as the new electrified versions of the Compass and Renegade. The three electrified Jeeps are part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) commitment to launch more than 30 electrified vehicles globally by 2022. The company has had success already with its Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and Jeep Commander PHEV models.
Those who are in attendance at CES can experience a new simulated 4×4 off-road journey, with the Jeep brand’s new Jeep 4×4 Adventure Virtual Reality (VR) Experience. Using Moab, Utah, one of the most popular off-road destinations for Jeep owners and enthusiasts as a backdrop, participants will navigate the infamous Hell’s Revenge trail. The route is broken into different sections from intermediate to difficult.
As an added bonus, among the virtual assets within the software is the driver’s point of view (POV) inside the all-new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe, giving the participants a sneak peek at the most advanced Jeep Wrangler the company has ever built.
To create the virtual experience, a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is positioned on four hydraulic cylinders (one at each wheel). The Wrangler will then react to input provided by actual wheel position data recordings made on the trail. The hydraulic system then pushes the Wrangler’s suspension, replicating the movement a driver would experience traversing an obstacle or cresting a hill.
Inside the vehicle, participants wearing VR goggles will see the actual scenery correlated to the Hell’s Revenge trail. Each time a participating team completes a portion of the trail, the accomplishment is logged with a team score and a virtual Trail Rated badge, that can be viewed live using the “Jeep Adventure” application from your smartphone or tablet. Users can track their team score and compare it with others who have participated in the Jeep 4×4 Adventure VR Experience as the display travels to different shows and events around the world.
Jeep will also add additional off-road trails into the module, giving participants a wide variety of Jeep 4×4 seat time in different environments. This will also keep the experience entertaining for those who happen to cross paths with it throughout the year at different Jeep related events.
