Jeep Renegade Plug-in Hybrid Unveiled In Global Market

Jeep Renegade has been on sale since 2015 in the international market. The American car brand is expected to bring this car to our market in the following year. Before the launch in India is realised, Jeep has recently unveiled the plug-in hybrid version of the Renegade which is slated to launch in June 2020 on the global market.

The upcoming Jeep Renegade PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric) will take on the structure and design of its internal-combustion counterpart, with the addition of the new electric motor. Located on the rear side, this electric unit is capable of developing a top power of 136PS. To adopt the new electric motor, the all-wheel-drive subframe of the Renegade has undergone some modifications.

Jeep Renegade Plug-in Hybrid will be launched in June next year

The plug-in hybrid Jeep Renegade will keep the 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine which currently powers the regular Renegade. This engine, however, will come with a new 6-speed automatic gearbox while the existing Renegade makes use of a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Jeep Renegade PHEV also gets a belt-starter generator which allows the battery to be charged each time the vehicle brakes or coasts.

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When powered solely by the electric engine, Jeep Renegade will run on the rear-wheel-drive mode. On the other hand, with only the petrol engine in action, this SUV will turn into a front-wheel-drive vehicle. When the petrol engine and the electric motor work together, the car will essentially become an all-wheel-drive car. In the hybrid setting, the total power output can soar up to 240PS of maximum power. It takes around 7 seconds for this plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to do the 0-100kmph sprint. Compared to the regular model, this hybrid version is heavier by 120kg, which substantially affects the fuel efficiency at high speed.

Jeep Renegade Hybrid gets a new electric motor besides the 117PS turbo petrol engine

Apart from the adaption of a new electric motor, Jeep also reveals other updates on the Jeep Renegade regarding its off-road capability. First of all, Jeep will offer this hybrid model with a trail-rated version which is capable of wading through a 60cm-deep waterflood. Moreover, since you get an all-wheel-drive system while in hybrid mode, off-road competence is significantly enhanced. Jeep also confirms that the change of engines will not affect the interior space, except for a drop of 15 litres in the boot space since a part of the electronic control system will be located on the cargo space.

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Even though the Jeep Renegade is expected to arrive at our shore soon, it is unlikely that the new plug-in hybrid engine will debut in India. In the following year, Jeep also schedules for some vehicles to launch, like the facelifted Jeep Compass 2020, sub-4-meter SUV, and a seven-seater version of the Jeep Compass.