The Jeep® brand is giving us one more sneak peek of its new 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe, just hours away from its official unveiling. The iconic off-road brand is getting ready to launch its latest electrified model, on its most globally known platform. In a 16-second teaser, we get our best look at the new Wrangler Rubicon 4xe yet.
Unlike hybrid vehicles of the past, the Jeep brand is making its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models to look identical to its original counterparts while making sure people do recognize that the vehicles are something unique. Wrangler Unlimited 4xe models will feature unique blue-accents like blue-outlined decals, blue tow hooks, and special “4xe” on the driver side rear of the vehicle. The only thing that looks out of place on the electrified Wrangler is the charging door, located on the driver side of the vehicle in front of the windshield.
Currently, the Wrangler Rubicon features Dana 44 front and rear heavy-duty axles, enhanced off-road rock rails, and the proven Rock-Trac NV241 transfer case with a 4:1 low-range gear ratio. Rubicon also includes electric front and rear locking differentials, a disconnecting front sway bar, and 33-inch BFGoodrich KM All-Terrain tires. As far as we know, all of that equipment will carry over to the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe.
Recent spy photos exclusive to MoparInsiders.com, have shown us that the new electrified powertrain will be offered not just on the off-road-oriented Rubicon model, but the rest of the lineup as well.
According to our sources, the new Wrangler Unlimited 4xe model will utilize the 2.0-liter turbocharged (GME-T4) inline-four-cylinder, instead of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as many people thought from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The system will be paired to a new ZF-sourced 8-speed plug-in hybrid automatic transmission, which is based on ZF’s current 8HP automatic transmission architecture that is a majority of the rear-drive FCA lineup. The electrified powertrain will allow for quicker launching performance over the standard Wrangler and should help eliminate any hesitation from the 2.0-liter’s Engine Start/Stop (ESS) system.
We are hearing that the Wrangler Unlimited 4xe will feature a 17 kWh battery, allowing for 32 miles (or 51 km) of electrified driving, before the internal combustion engine (ICE) kicks in. This information goes along with documents released about the hybrid 8HP transmission from ZF Friedrichshafen. The new powertrain will boast improved noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) as shown on the recent social media releases from the Jeep brand. It should also help the Wrangler continue its green initiative.
Come back to the MoparInsiders.com homepage at 9:00 a.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time) tomorrow, to watch the unveiling LIVE with us.
