SPOTTED: Turbocharged Jeep® Junior/Jeepster (JJ) 4×4!

The smallest addition to the Jeep® lineup has been spotted once again testing on public roads. Internally known as “Project 516” or “JJ”, the new “small” B-UV will slot underneath the subcompact Renegade. But while the American adventure brand has touted the new UV as the first-ever all-electric Jeep, it will also becoming with an internal combustion engine (ICE).

Although it has been called “Junior”, our sources have indicated that the vehicle could feature the iconic “Jeepster” nameplate and it will make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show from October 17th to 23rd in Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. 

Due to the Stellantis timeline, the new mini-compact UV will NOT be based on the all-new STLA Small architecture, instead will be built upon the second-generation eCMP/CMP platform used by vehicles from the former Peugeot Group. This is due to the fact that Stellantis has already announced that the STLA Small architecture won’t debut until the 2026 model year. 

Shot by Walter Vayr (@GabetzSPYUnit), this ICE version of the new Jeep JJ, is rumored by our sources to be powered by the turbocharged 1.0-liter inline-three-cylinder engine from the Stellantis Global Small Engine (GSE) family. That engine is currently available in several models and should give the JJ around 118 horsepower (88 kW) and 190 N⋅m (140 lb.-ft.) of torque.

The JJ should also be equipped with an electronic all-wheel-drive (eAWD) system, giving the vehicle Jeep 4×4 capability. We also expect it to carry other basic technology items we have come to expect from other Jeep vehicles. Things like the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, digital gauge cluster, and Selec-Terrain modes. 

Our sources have also indicated, that the ICE version will kick off production of the JJ, with the battery-electric (BEV) model coming a few months later.

While the JJ will be an important global vehicle for the Jeep brand, we are told that the JJ will not be offered in the North American market (at least not yet).

Production of the JJ could start as early as December at the Tychy Assembly Plant in Poland, according to some Polish websites. The new JJ will be joined by two new platform siblings, one for the Alfa Romeo brand and the other for FIAT.

2024 Jeep® JJ ICE Prototype Image Gallery:

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