SUV manufacturer, Jeep, has showcased its first two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The technology, which the company calls eAWD, has been introduced on the Compass and the Renegade.
Jeep’s plug-in hybrid system mixes a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor to offer up to 240hp and 50km of electric-only range. CO2 emissions will be below 50g/km and there will be an electric-only top speed of 130kph, plus a 0-100kph time of less than 7sec for both cars.
The petrol engine drives the front wheels and the electric motor drives the rear, with no physical connection between the two axles. Jeep says this allows for improved off-road performance, with greater and independent torque control to each wheel and, at lower speeds, without the need for a separate low-ratio gearbox.
“Off-road performance will be best in class,” Jeep Europe's boss, Jeff Hines, told our sister publication, Autocar UK.
Jeep has not mentioned plans to bring the Compass PHEV to India, yet. The brand does have the standard Compass on sale here, and will bring a range-topping version in the form of the Compass Trailhawk to our market soon.