Jeep primes baby EV for Europe

Youth-targeted Avenger will be built in Poland on same platform as Vauxhall Mokka

- WILL RIMELL

Jeep will launch an entry-level electric SUV named the Avenger early next year, then a further three EVS bound for Europe by 2025.

It is hoped that the baby Jeep will draw new customers to the American brand - now part of Stellantis - in Europe, with a particular focus on younger women.

The Avenger will be joined in Europe by a range-topping Wagoneer S and an extremely off-road-focused Recon (both of which will be launched in the US first), then another as yet unannounced EV that Jeep CEO Christian Meunier described as a look into the future of the brand.

The Avenger has been built around the "right size" for Europe, said Jeep's boss in the region, Antonella Bruno, with the model being the smallest ever produced by the brand.

"What makes it different is its capabilities," continued Bruno, confirming the Avenger will be "equal or better than" the Renegade 4xe plug-in hybrid (directly beneath which it will sit in the Jeep line-up) when driven off road.

The Avenger will be launched in the first half of next year (an exact date will be confirmed in October) and adopt a new version of Stellantis's ECMP platform. The current version of this architecture is used for EV and combustion forms of the similarly sized Vauxhall Mokka and DS 3 Crossback.

A sizeable boot and a modern interior are also aimed at attracting a new customer base, added Bruno.

Power will come from 94bhp electric motors, two or four of which will be fitted depending on the variant's configuration (front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive will be offered).

Claimed range is 248 miles, although Jeep has yet to disclose the battery's size.

The Avenger will also be offered in hybrid guise, although further details of this variant will be revealed at the Paris motor show in October.