TFLCar Catches The New 2022 Jeep® Grand Cherokee 4xe Out In Public:

In January, the Jeep® brand unveiled its all-new three-row Grand Cherokee L (codenamed WL75) lineup. While those vehicles are getting ready to start arriving in dealer showrooms, the iconic American brand is currently testing its two-row Grand Cherokee (WL74) model in several places across the United States and Europe. We have seen numerous models out on public roads in recent months, but our friends at The Fast Lane Car (TFLCar) stumbled upon one of the new electrified two-row models which may be one of the most important parts of the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee’s lineup.

The guys over at TFLCar came across this electrified 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe model sitting in a parking lot in Silverthrone, Colorado, doing some high-altitude testing. The electrified model is wearing distinctive “hybrid” wheels for additional aerodynamics. This particular model features the Grand Cherokee L Summit’s front fascia, something we didn’t see on an earlier Grand Cherokee 4xe model. We do know that at least certain models of the WL74 and WL75 will have different front fascia designs as caught in our own spy photos of the vehicle testing in March.

According to sources, the Grand Cherokee 4xe models will be powered by a very similar powertrain to the Wrangler Unlimited 4xe. For those who worry about range anxiety, the Wrangler 4xe’s powertrain consists of two electric motors, a high-voltage battery pack, a high-tech 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, and robust TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic hybrid transmission, which allows the Wrangler to maximize efficiency. The Wrangler Unlimited 4xe models can achieve 49 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) combined. The gas-electric powertrain is good for 375 horsepower and 470 ft.-lb. of torque.

We also expect the Grand Cherokee 4xe to use similar ‘E-Selec’ modes as the Wrangler 4xe. The E-Selec modes allow the driver to customize the efficiency of the 4xe’s powertrain. The three modes are…

• Hybrid: The default mode blends torque from the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and electric motor. In this mode, the powertrain will use battery power first, then add in propulsion from the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine when the battery reaches a minimum state of charge
• Electric: The powertrain operates on zero-emission electric power only until the battery reaches the minimum charge or the driver requests more torque (such as wide-open throttle), which engages the 2.0-liter engine
• eSave: Prioritizes propulsion from the 2.0-liter engine, saving the battery charge for later use, such as EV off-roading or urban areas where internal combustion propulsion is restricted. The driver can also choose between Battery Save and Battery Charge during eSave via the Hybrid Electric Pages in the Uconnect screen

In the video, you can see that the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe can run exclusively on electric power as it pulls away from the TFL crew. But thanks to the E-Selec system and the “Max-ReGen” button on the dash, the system can charge the battery pack while driving.

We expect Jeep to unveil the new two-row Grand Cherokee WL74 later this summer. It will start production later this fall at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) alongside the recently refreshed Dodge Durango. The WL74 4xe model should arrive in the months after being assembled at the new Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack facility, right down the road from JNAP.

To continue the discussion of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL), be sure to join us at WLJeepForum.com.

Source: TFLCar