JEEP: REINVENTING AN OFF-ROAD ICON FOR AN ELECTRIC FUTURE

THE NAME JEEP is synonymous with the term ‘4x4’. Having produced vehicles now for 80 years, the US carmaker has had plenty of time to perfect the art of creating, and constantly improving, off-road machines.

- KATHRYN FISK

But hold on, there’s a new sheriff in town calling all the shots, and it means big things for the brand which has defined itself as a major player in the 4x4 world since WW2. That new boss is... electrification.

In recent weeks, Jeep has revealed key intel on its plans to move to an all-electric line-up and what this means for the future of its iconic design. The journey starts this year with the introduction of solar charging stations and the expansion of its 4xe hybrid range.

First out of the gate is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEV, which goes on sale in the United States, China and Europe this year – as yet, however, no release date has been confirmed for Australia – and the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee 4xe PHEV next year. The manufacturer additionally has its sights set on a Wagoneer premium SUV being offered as a full EV in the next few years.

By mid-decade, Jeep says its model range will have biometric configuration, dynamic tyre pressure, multi-power ports and be capable of peer-to-peer charging and drone pairing. It also plans for one model in each SUV segment and 70 percent of global sales to be electrified by 2025.

Fast-forward five years, and from 2030, that’s when the company is envisaging its vehicles will be capable of autonomous off-roading, remote vehicle tracking, flat-seat stargazing. The brand has even previewed a concept capable of driving completely underwater.

While Jeep CEO Christian Meunier remains tight-lipped on which 4xe models will be coming and in what order, the brand’s Australian arm says it will be revealing more on its locally electrified line-up shortly.