The smallest Jeep has received a facelift, and it’s
now cuter than ever. Introduced in 2014, the Jeep Renegade is unlike most 4x4s
carrying the famous badge – jointly developed by a team of Italians and
Americans, it’s based on Fiat’s Small Wide platform that also underpins the
Fiat 500L, and is made in Italy at the Melfi SATA Plant in Basilicata for
Europe.
The B-segment SUV then became the first global Jeep
model, with assembly at the GAC FCA plant in Guangzhou, China, and in
Pernambuco, Brazil, for the South American market.
The 2019 Jeep Renegade is boosted with more
comprehensive safety equipment and up-to-date infotainment. There’s also a
range of new three and four-cylinder downsized turbo petrol engines, which
include a 1.0 triple with 120 hp/190 Nm and a 1.3 litre four-pot with 150 hp or
180 hp and 270 Nm of torque.
The entry engine is paired with a six-speed manual
while the 150 hp 1.3L comes with a DDCT (Dual Dry Clutch Transmission). Both
are front-wheel drive. The 180 hp 1.3L is mated to a nine-speed torque
converter automatic with available 4WD.
The new modular engines are made entirely of
aluminium for lightness (weight starts from 93 kg). The crankcase, developed in
partnership with Teksid, is made of high-pressure die-cast aluminium alloy.
Cast-in iron liners are used to increase structural robustness. They are 1.8 mm
thick and coated on the outside with aluminium to create a “metallurgical bond”
between liner and block. An architecture with bedplate was chosen as it offers
the best balance of noise, vibrations, weight and structural performance.
For better efficiency, the new engines have a 70 mm
bore with a stroke-to-bore ratio of 1.24 and a 10 mm crank offset. This forms a
very compact combustion chamber to benefit thermal efficiency. A conrod-crank
architecture with improved mechanical efficiency results in minimised friction.
The third generation of Fiat’s MultiAir tech, which improves combustion
efficiency by adjusting valve lift and timing, is debuting on this new engine
series.
Other highlights include direct fuel injection to
maximise volumetric efficiency and a low-inertia turbocharger managed by an
electrically controlled wastegate actuator, paired with a water-cooled
supercharger module in the intake manifold to ensure quicker transient
response.
In the diesel camp lies the updated 1.6L (120 hp,
6MT or DDCT) and 2.0L (140 hp or 170 hp, with 6MT or 9AT) MultiJet II units,
all with SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) and Euro 6/D compliance. There’s
also NOx reduction through AdBlue injection (the underfloor passive SCR manages
ammonia slip, continuing the reduction process) and particulate matter
reduction, through regeneration management.
The Renegade can be had with two 4WD systems (Jeep Active
Drive and Jeep Active Drive Low), rear axle disconnect, Selec-Terrain traction
control, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. The off-road Trailhawk
trim best emphasises the 4×4’s off-road capabilities with maximum wheel
articulation up to 205 mm and a ground clearance of up to 210 mm, plus a “Rock”
mode in Selec-Terrain.
The 2019 Renegade manages to look cuter than ever,
yet unmistakably Jeep. The new front fascia sports a redesigned, cut-in
silhouette seven-slot Jeep grille – similar to the new Wrangler – new headlamps
and fog lamps. The roof bars are black on Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk
models.
The new headlamps with full-LED daytime running
lights, high beam, low beam and fog lamps (optional on Limited and Trailhawk)
enhance looks and safety – visibility is up by 50% compared to halogens and
brightness is improved by 20% compared to xenons, Jeep says. The rear also
features updated tail lamps with new LED light clusters, available on the
Limited and Trailhawk. The light clusters feature an X pattern inspired by the
Wrangler. Check out the gallery below to find surprise Easter egg details.
Exterior changes are completed by new wheels. The
new model year offers seven different wheel options, from 16- to 19-inch, with
the latter introduced for the first time and exclusive to the Limited. Two
“open-air roof systems” are available: a dual-pane electric sliding glass roof
and My Sky, which has two lightweight panels that can be easily removed and
stowed in the boot.
Inside, the Renegade gets a new centre console,
which now features a built-in smartphone holder, new cup holders and additional
storage compartments, including a pocket for an iPad Mini or other small
devices. Also new is the position of the additional USB port (now at the rear of
the central armrest for easy rear passenger access). These solutions provide
more than 1.2 liters of additional storage space. There are new bezels on the
radio, vents, central tunnel and speakers.
The Jeep can be had with five-inch, seven-inch or
8.4-inch NAV Uconnect touchscreen systems, which pack a more powerful processor
with improved response capability. The top two variants come with a capacitive
touchscreen with pinch and zoom capability and a customisable menu bar with
‘Drag and Drop’. It’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto friendly.
The 2019 Renegade comes standard
with Lane Sense Departure Warning-Plus (self corrects to keep you in lane) and
Intelligent Speed Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition. Auto parking now gets
out of parking spots automatically as well. Forward Collision Warning-Plus with
Active Emergency Braking standard, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind-Spot
Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection are all available.
In Europe, sales of the 2019 Jeep Renegade will
start in September. In Russia, the Middle East and Africa, the refreshed small
Jeep will be available from the end of 2018.