Jeep Wrangler 4xe treads quietly

That epitome of tough trucks, the Jeep Wrangler, has gone electric.

First announced all the way back in 2017 at the Los Angeles motor show, the plug-in petrol-electric hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe (pronounced four-by-e) hybrid broke cover in the USA overnight.

The first plug-in version of the Jeep Wrangler joins the smaller Compass and Renegade 4xe and the China-only Grand Commander PHEVs in the Jeep line-up.

Jeep Australia is theoretically keen on hybrids, but unwilling to say anything concrete about selling the Wrangler 4xe here.

"We are excited about these technical developments and advances and are monitoring the take up of electrification in Australia,” said Jeep Australia MD Kevin Flynn.

“We will be ready to launch our PHEV strategy as soon as consumer appetite, regulations and infrastructure suggests the time is right."

The reveal of the Wrangler 4xe comes as Jeep Australia unveils a revised local Wrangler range that ditches diesel.

While we’re waiting – potentially for some time – to get the green light for any Jeep 4xe models Down Under, Jeep has confirmed the Wrangler 4xe will go on sale in the USA, China and Europe by early 2021.

To be built in Toledo, Ohio only in five-door form, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe will be visually differentiated from orthodox petrol and diesel Wrangler models only by electric blue badging and tow hooks.

Electrification will extend to other Jeep models in the coming years, including the next-gen Grand Cherokee and the seven-seat Grand Wagoneer, which also broke cover overnight as a PHEV concept.

“Our Jeep 4xe vehicles will be the most efficient, responsible and capable that the brand has ever created,” promised Christian Meunier, Global President of Jeep Brand – FCA.

“We are committed to make Jeep the greenest SUV brand. The electrification of the Jeep line-up will allow commuters to travel solely on electric power, delivering an efficient and fun on-road experience and offering an ability to enjoy even more Jeep capability off-road in nearly complete silence.”

The guts of the Wrangler 4xe are a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, two electric motors, a 400v 17.3kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery pack and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

One e-motor is engine-mounted and acts as a belt-driven motor generator managing start-stop functions. The other is integrated into the ZF 8P75PH transmission and acts as the torque converter.

The 96-cell lithium-ion, nickel manganese cobalt battery pack sits out of the way under the rear seat.

The combined powertrain output is 280kW and 637Nm, while an electric-only range of up to 40km and a 4.7L/100km (50mpg) fuel consumption rating is claimed.

On the downside, the 4xe’s base kerb weight is 2268kg – more than 300kg up on the lightest five-door Wrangler sold in Australia.

Braked towing is claimed to be 3500lb (1588kg), which is down from the 1900kg claimed by the petrol V6. Stowage space drops marginally with rear seats up or down.

Jeep says the extra tip-in torque provided by the e-motors boosts the plug-in Wrangler’s performance both on-road and in the gnarly stuff.

Speaking of off-road, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe comes with trail-rated running gear including solid axles front and rear, a full-time 4x4 two-speed transfer case, fully articulating suspension and a 760mm water fording capability.

Jeep assures us the 4xe’s electric gubbins have all been sealed and made waterproof to avoid issues when the going gets damp.

The 4xe’s charge port is located on the front-left cowl. The hybrid system includes an integrated dual charging module, which combines a battery charger and a DC/DC converter in a single unit. Charging can take as little as two hours or as much as 12 hours depending on the connection.

The powertrain has three modes of operation: Hybrid is the default and blends torque from the engine and e-motor. Electric runs the 4xe in EV-only mode until the battery is depleted or when the driver requests max thrust. eSave preserves battery power for later use. In this mode ‘Battery Save’ and ‘Battery Charge’ can be nominated.

The 4xe employs regenerative braking to help charge the battery pack. The driver can also select a Max Regen mode that slows the car even faster and add more power into the battery.

Jeep Wrangler 4xe drivers can be coached on how best to use these modes via pages within the UConnect infotainment system.

The Wrangler PHEV will come in three models: 4xe, Sahara 4xe and Rubicon 4xe.

4xe and Sahara 4xe models are equipped with full-time 4x4 systems with front and rear next-generation Dana 44 axles and a Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case with 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. A Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential is available.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe models employ the Rock-Trac 4x4 system that includes a two-speed transfer case with a 4:1 low-range gear ratio, full-time 4x4, front and rear next-generation Dana 44 axles and Tru-Lok electric front and rear axle lockers.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe has a crawl ratio of 77.2:1 and comes with a front axle electronic sway-bar disconnect. It has an approach angle of 44 degrees, breakover angle of 22.5 degrees, departure angle of 35.6 degrees and ground clearance of 274 mm.

All 4xe models include off-road Selec-Speed Control with Hill Ascent and Hill Descent Control, skid plates and front and rear tow hooks.