Jeep’s new Avenger model will be joined by three more electric cars by 2025 as Jeep pushes towards an electrified future.
Jeep has taken the wraps off its first fully-electric car called the Avenger. We’ve seen it testing before, but now we can see the new Jeep’s new B-segment SUV completely unwrapped on the outside.
So far, the model is confirmed to launch in Europe next year, but Australian plans are unclear. While the electric version might not come here, a petrol ‘Puretech’ version we’ve seen testing could be on the cards.
The Jeep Avenger will be the first of four pure-electric SUVs from Jeep, with the retro-styled Recon, premium Wagoneer S and an as-yet-unnamed fourth making up the rest. The all-electric line-up will help with Jeep’s push for electrification as the American firm plans to have an electric version of each of its models and to only sell EVs in Europe by 2030.
It will publicly debut at the Paris Motor Show on 17 October this year, which will coincide with pricing announcements. In terms of design, the upcoming Avenger displays plenty of the typical Jeep design traits we’ve seen on previous test cars with the traditional seven-slat grille, boxy proportions and chunky wheel arches.
There will be a fair few competitors to the Avenger in the small electric SUV market. It’ll have to contend with the likes of Hyundai’s Kona Electric, the Kia Soul EV and rivals from within the Stellantis parent company such as the Peugeot e-2008.
Unsurprisingly, Jeep has turned to the Stellantis parts bin for the Avenger’s platform. It shares the same e-CMP architecture as the aforementioned Peugeot, allowing for full-EV and internal combustion powertrains on the CMP platform. Jeep says the Avenger EV will offer up to 400km of range, which is 56km more than the e-2008. A two-wheel drive Avenger will be available as will a four-wheel drive version – the first of its kind on a CMP platform.
There’s no word on charging capacity yet, but with the appearance of the 50kWh Stellantis battery an almost certainty, then we can expect it to take on an 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes from a 100kW DC rapid charger.
There will also be internal-combustion-engined versions of the Avenger. We’ve seen them testing before and we expect the Stellantis-derived 1.2-litre petrol ‘Puretech’ units to feature along with the same exterior styling – aside from a small exhaust protruding from the rear.
Jeep has been coy on the Avenger’s interior, but has stated it’ll receive its latest Uconnect infotainment system; just don’t expect the 12-inch central screen and 10.3-inch driver’s display set up from the new Wagoneer.
Production of the new Avenger will take place at the Tychy plant in Poland, with mild-hybrid and pure-electric powertrains in store for the new car. Despite it occupying a similar space to the ageing Renegade, Jeep says the Avenger will be positioned under the Renegade in its model lineup.
Alastair Crooks