LA MOTOR SHOW: Jeep confirms Wrangler hybrid

Jeep will launch a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid version of the new JL Wrangler off-roader in 2020.

The surprise confirmation of the new model was made by Jeep global boss Mike Manley at the end of his presentation at the launch of the new Wrangler at the Los Angeles motor show today.

“A full plug-in electric Jeep Wrangler will be available in 2020, furthering our commitment to all those who value the responsible, sustainable enjoyment of the great outdoors and very importantly future-proofing this Wrangler for generations to come,” Manley said.

At this stage there is no confirmation the plug-in Wrangler will join the Australia JL line-up, which will go on sale at the end of 2018.

However, Manley said there was an intention for the plug-in to be sold internationally as well as in North America.

Afterwards, at a media scrum, Manley refused to go into detail about the technical details of the plug-in, such as whether electric motors would replace tradition 4x4 systems to drive one of the axles.

But he did confirm other Jeeps would be hybridised in the future.

“It’s inevitable Jeep will go through more electrification as we get into the 2020s,” he said. “The systems will be different but there will be more electrification.”

He enthused about the vehicle’s potential to add to the Wrangler’s off-road capability, as well as meeting ever-tightening emissions regulations and improving fuel economy.

“When I was thinking through electrification, the initial thoughts were ‘you’ve got to do electrification because of all of the changes’.

“But when we think of all the appropriate uses of electrification, particularly the torque management at low-end and how if it is deployed in a certain way can actually help control that torque, to me it makes a lot of sense to have it in our vehicles to enhance our capability and get the added benefit of the fuel economy that comes.

“Then the only thing is really how do you want to calibrate it? Do you want to calibrate it for max fuel economy or for that torque deployment?

“I think our engineers have struck a really good balance so I am very excited it’s in the vehicle.”

Manley made clear it was important to Jeep that the system did not impact on off-road abilities such as water fording.

“What we clearly have to do is make sure any component is safe and secure above the fording line, so that is work we have been doing,” he said.

FCA’s US arm already has PHEV experience with the Chrysler Pacifica people-mover, which utilises the same 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine as the Wrangler mated with a 16kWh lithium-ion battery. However, that is a transverse engine layout.

But Manley would not confirm which engine was being used with the plug-in. The other petrol engine offered with the new Wrangler is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder first seen in the Alfa Romeo Giulia.

Manley said he was confident the plug-in would be greeted positively by Wrangler’s loyal audience.

“I think really positive. I genuinely think it will be really positive because of the benefits it will deliver.”