Jeep goes clean with plug-in Renegade

Jeep will be helping owners to get muddy and yet stay clean with its first plug in hybrid. The Renegade 4xe is said to have all the off-road ability you’d expect from a Jeep, but can also run on electric power alone.

The new model uses two electric motors and a 1.3-litre, four-cylinder, turbo petrol internal combustion engine. An 11.4 kWh battery gives a claimed EV-only driving range of 26 miles and CO2 emissions of 50g/km.

Renegade is Jeep's first plug-in hybrid

One of the electric motors works in conjunction with the petrol engine to power the front wheels while a 59bhp rear motor powers the back axle. Jeep claim this offers better 4x4 ability than the standard models thanks to the extra control and instant low-down pulling power of the electric.

Two outputs are available from the petrol engine – 128bhp or 177bhp, plus the 59bhp produced by the electric motor, giving a total of 187hp in the Longitude and Limited version or 237hp in the range-topping Trailhawk model.

The Renegade 4xe will be in showrooms in September with prices ranging from £32,600 to £36,500.

Electric motor in 4xe gives better performance on and off road, claims Jeep