Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S locked in for Australia
Two all-new, all-electric off-roaders primed for right-hand drive and 2024 debut; could be joined by baby AvengerJeep has confirmed it will offer both the rugged new Jeep Recon off-roader and the high-performance Jeep Wagoneer S to Australian buyers, and that both all-electric SUVs will be on here by 2024.
Until now, it wasn't clear if the tough, uncompromising battery-powered Jeep Recon, which borrows styling cues from the rugged Wrangler, would be offered outside of the US market.
But speaking to journalists at this week’s Detroit motor show Jeep CEO Christian Meunier not only confirmed the Recon is “locked-in” for the Australian market, it will be joined here by another Jeep EV, the fast and luxurious Wagoneer S.
As well as the two D-segment-sized off-roaders, the Jeep boss said the all-new Avenger baby EV was also being considered for Australian release.
“The Avenger is going go to the UK and Japan and we're looking at it for maybe Australia, if there is a market for it. Right now, it's still not decided,” he said.
Unwrapped only last week, the all-electric Jeep Avenger compact SUV is set for an early 2023 introduction in Europe.
Despite its supermini dimensions, Jeep has already said its smallest electric SUV won’t trade any of its off-road capability and will be “equal or better” than the larger Renegade, which is no longer sold in Australia.
The 2024 Jeep Recon, meanwhile, could be the brand's most capable off-roader ever.
Jeep hasn't released any official details, but it's thought the Recon will come with energy-dense batteries ranging in capacity between 100 and 120kWh.
Significantly, this should provide the Jeep Recon, which will feature a removable roof and doors like the Wrangler, with a range of between 700 and 800km.
Its dual-motor powertrain, meanwhile, should deliver upwards of 350kW, while a new 800-volt electrical architecture should see significantly faster charging than other battery-powered cars in the Stellantis group.
To prove its usefulness off the beaten track, the production version will come equipped with Jeep's Selec-Terrain traction management system, e-locker axles, plenty of underbody protection, recovery hooks and all-terrain tyres.
With all that hardware, the new Jeep EV will be trail-rated for the famous Rubicon Trail, where its maker says it has already proven to be among the most capable Jeeps ever built.
The Wagoneer S, meanwhile, is set to be swap out the Recon's ladder-frame chassis for the more sophisticated Stellantis STLA large monocoque platform that will underpin vehicles measuring 4.7-5.4 metres long and 1.9-2.0 metres wide.
Featuring a far sleeker and more aerodynamic design than the fourth-generation (WS) Wagoneer, the all-electric SUV shares little with its combustion-powered sibling and is at least a size smaller.
Mustering 447kW from its dual-motor powertrain, Jeep says the Wagoneer S will be both quick and long-legged, offering 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.5 seconds and a 650km range.
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