It is safe to say that the era of big brawny gas-guzzling SUVs are over when Jeep is focusing on teeny weeny models. If you think Renegade is going to be the smallest Jeep for a long time to come, you have got it wrong.
As per Auto Express, the American off-road specialist is working on a sub-Renegade SUV which is roughly be the size of Suzuki Jimny. This means, there is a high likelihood that the Jeep mini SUV will be less than 4 meters long, making it an attractive proposition for the Indian market.
Speaking to the publication, Jeep’s European head of Brand Marketing, Marco Pigozzi, stated that, “The car will be able to be used as a bad-ass Jeep, but it has also been designed to be used everyday.” The mini off-roader in question will most likely to featuring a pure electric powertrain.
It looks like the car will be benefiting from FCA’s recent alliance with PSA Group. A suitable compact Peugeot-Citroen platform could be chosen to underpin the new mini Jeep. Of course, the powertrain lineup is also expected to be borrowed from the French automotive group. The Common Modular Platform which serves the electrified versions of Peugeot 208, Opel Corsa and DS 3 Crossback emerges as a viable candidate.
The pure electric model will be playing a crucial role in enabling Jeep to bring its average CO2 emissions below the 95 gm/km mark set by the upcoming EU regulations of 2021. The launch timeline of the Jeep mini off-roader has not been revealed yet but it is estimated to be ready by 2022.
It is to be noted that Jeep India is currently working on a sub-Compass SUV for India. We have seen the Renegade being tested here but reports came in suggesting that it was deemed to be too expensive for our market. A sub-4m SUV for markets like India is reported to be in the works for a 2020 launch.
Coming back to the Jimny-sized global electric SUV, Jeep India could be using it to establish its presence in the promising EV space, in line with the likes of Hyundai Kona and soon to be launched Tata Nexon electric and MG ZS EV.
