Will the Jeep Wrangler 4xe's first big honor spark interest in the electric Jeep?
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The plan to build the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was just confirmed to the public in September and the electric Jeep has already driven off with its first big award. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid was named Green SUV of the Year by the Green Car Journal. The new Wrangler is expected to deliver up to 25 miles of electric operation before switching over to its 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
Green Car Journal announced the winners of its annual competition at the Virtual Greenbuild Conference and Expo. Green Car usually announces its winners around the Los Angeles Auto Show. This year’s auto show was rescheduled because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Green Car Journal describes the Wrangler 4xe this way,
“Taking top honors for the 2021 Green SUV of the Year title is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, an SUV that’s different in many ways from others in its class. To some, it’s an SUV in the traditional sense with high functionality and loads of versatility that’s perfect for the diversity of everyday life. But to others, it’s that, plus a means of escape, heading toward the city one day and then driving the path less taken on another, a path often rough, unpaved, and pointed towards adventure.”
“The Wrangler 4xe delivers an exciting and environmentally positive way for Jeep fans to enjoy their on- and off-road experiences,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and GreenCarJournal.com. “Its powerful plug-in hybrid power plant brings welcome performance, while enabling up to 25 miles of trail or street driving exclusively on quiet, zero-emission battery power.”
2021 Wrangler 4xe Details
The 2021 Wrangler 4xe promises 375 horsepower and goes from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds. Wrangler 4xe’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combines with two electric motors to deliver an estimated 50 MPGe. A 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack is located underneath the second-row seat to protect it from outside elements and to preserve the interior space. 4xe is Jeep’s global name for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology. Jeep is already marketing a Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe in Europe. The big question is, will Jeep fans flock to a hybrid Jeep Wrangler? Only time will tell.
Having the vehicle able to seamlessly switch to a gasoline engine eliminates the concern about range anxiety. People who commute less than ten miles to work may never have to use the backup engine. The sophisticated system in the Wrangler 4xe allows the driver to choose if they wish to drive in the pure electric state or drive with the gasoline engine and save the electric energy for later.
According to Jeep, “Wrangler 4xe retains the Jeep Wrangler’s Trail Rated running gear: solid front and rear axles, full-time 4x4 two-speed transfer case, fully articulating suspension and 30 inches of water fording capability.” So, the 2021 Wrangler 4xe is a real Jeep in every way.
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe will be sold globally and assembled at the FCA Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio. It is due to arrive at dealerships early next year.
The Green Car Journal chooses six vehicles as standout models.
This year’s Green Car Journal Winners include:
- Green Car- Ford’s all-new Mustang Mach-E
- Luxury Green Car- Polestar 2
- Urban Green Car- MINI Cooper SE electric
- Family Green Car- Toyota Sienna minivan
- Green Truck- Ford F-150
For more information on all of the selections, visit the Green Car Journal.
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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