January14
Jeep will exhibit its new Renegade concept vehicle at the Detroit auto show this week. The two-seater SUV is powered by two electric motors — one on each axle — delivering all-wheel-drive. The 16 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery module provides a range of 40 miles on a single charge.
Driving range is extended by a generator coupled to a small-displacement 1.5-liter Bluetec diesel engine. Renegade has a 400-mile range, and is capable of achieving an equivalent gasoline fuel economy rating of 110 miles per gallon.
While most electric vehicles are geared toward commuting around town, the Jeep Renegade is specifically designed for off-road performance. “With an electric motor powering each axle, the Jeep Renegade concept is designed for a ‘hang on and have fun experience,” said Tony Shamenkov, Jeep Renegade concept principal exterior designer.
The concept’s lightweight aluminum architecture and regenerative-braking system help to improve overall efficiency, while the dual electric 200 kilowatt (268 horsepower) motors propel the truck with relative ease.
man, thats ugly. damn shame too
Nice, but it seems less of a realistic concept than the Volt. There’s no market for this.
well, right, its not realistic, but… read again… its a concept. eventhough the word “concept car” is widely misused for testing the audiences reception of production ready cars, the idea of a concept car used to be:
- test new technologies
- show (and sometimes show off) whats possible, technically
- show a sleek sporty design
i like this concept, and if it really can do what they claim, then, hey… go and build a producable car with that technology at a reasonable price….!
This is true, Fan. but how many Chrysler Concepts have you seen make it into production, sadly. This Technology would work wonders in the next 300
Just freaking fugly!
There is some market for this. The Wrangler has a colossal following and a fair chunk of them go offroading all the time. Maybe 50,000 people? Maybe 100,000 across North America? Something to consider.
I didnt know LLN put Dune Buggy News on here!
Who knew something could be this ugly?
Just too damn ugly.
i don’t like the look of the concept to much but the tech behind it seems good. if they get it to production ill be surprised.
IT isn’t quite as rakish as I would have hoped. It looks to soft and cute like the Compass. Still I appreciate Chrysler making the effort. Make this “son of Jeepster” a bit more agressive looking and I think it’ll be a winner.
Hey guys forget the looks check out the pluses…Diesel hybrid, yes 110 mpg possible with diesel, If Smart car will sell with 46 mpg and no off road ability a better looking production model of this thing can sell. Hey they are both 2 passenger car and no one said it was for the average car buyer.
No one’s knocking that, I think. It just doesn’t like “Jeep” enough.
Bad idea. Green and off-road don’t go together. And people aren’t impressed if you try to make them to.
If you want to make a 110 mpg car, make it a Dodge or Chrysler regular car (it can be exciting but not a SUV)
beauty is in the eye of beholder, I don’t see anything remotely pretty here. Diesel coupled with electric motors make sense: less losses for energy transmission.
The future of off road for the masses is here. Get used to it.
09CTS-V has it right, this is very, very reminiscent of the successful Manx Meyers Dune Buggy in more ways than one. Given that strata of vehicle it could become very popular.
I saw Meyers at a local car show, he lives 20 miles from me. Anyways, he had a manx with a long arm suspension kit and a WRX STI motor hanging out the back. He gave me a ride in it and holly s*$# was that thing quick as snot.
@ SwerveEarly, Jeep would have been smart enlisting Meyers on this project, and even using his name. I’ve read about the Manx with the WRX STi engine, that must of been one helluva ride!
I just threw up my intestines.
40 mile range extended another 360 miles to 400 with a 1.5-liter Bluetec diesel getting 110mpg. That means this thing has a 3.3gal tank. Put in a 10gal tank & you would get over 1000 miles per tank - taking away some mileage for the added weight. Average American driver does 12,500 miles/year means you would only fill up the vehcile about once a month for less than $40 per fill up by todays prices.
If this tech can be proven to work as stated it could be huge for Chrysler - repackaged in a better skin.
This platform make the most since. I think if Chrysler is going to build all three concepts, this will be the layout. Chrysler could finally take the lead again… if only for a short time.
Does this thing have a top? What about a heater?
Cool design - but too cool for Canadian winters. Not much good in cold climates with no top and all those holes in the sides.
Confederate styled tail lights…cute.
I think the design could make a nice replacement for the Compass as Jeep’s entry level vehicle if:
1) Some of the bizarre styling elements were toned down.
2) The design was stretched a bit to insert a back seat.
3) Some sort of hard top was designed to make it more practical (or options of either hard or soft tops).
I think this concept is better looking than the Compass. I don’t think it dilutes Jeep’s image anywhere near as bad as the Compass has done. At least you can supposedly take this concept off-road.
We’re the rengades of funk
We’re the rengades of funk