Jeep is desperately trying to divert
attention away from the 2021 Ford Bronco, and their latest effort involves a
new teaser video for upcoming Wrangler 4xe. In the clip, the
plug-in hybrid quietly navigate an off-road trail while the tagline suggests it
will be “so quiet, it won’t disturb naptime.”
While the video doesn’t provide a good
glimpse of the model, the SUV was shown at CES earlier this year. Styling
changes were minor, but included a charging port that was integrated into the
base of the windshield. The model also had blue tow hooks and blue badging, but
it remains unclear if those will carryover to the production model. We can also
expect some minor interior changes which could include hybrid-specific
instrumentation and a navigation system that shows nearby charging spots.
Despite showing the model in January, Jeep
said virtually nothing about it. The company had planned to reveal more details
about their plug-in hybrids at the Beijing, Geneva and New York auto shows, but
those events were canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Little is known about the Wrangler 4xe,
but Jeep has previously said their plug-in hybrids will be more capable and
more fun to drive, thanks to their “greater torque and immediate engine
response.” That isn’t much to go on, but it’s believed the model will borrow
some of its technology from the Pacifica Hybrid. If that’s the case, the
Wrangler may have a 3.6-liter V6 engine, a lithium-ion battery pack and a
gearbox with an integrated electric motor (or motors). While a lot of questions
remain, Jeep says the Wrangler 4xe is “coming soon.”
