First Jeep compact SUV gets its North American reveal at the 2014 New York International Auto Show
Jeep gets small
At this point in Fiat Chrysler Automobile's history, Ram and Jeep are the two most valuable of the company's current arsenal of brands. And with the government's CAFE standards looming on the horizon, it especially makes sense to expand Jeep's model reach downward to improve the brand's fuel economy without diluting its core off-road values. The down market move to capture even younger buyers is also a no-brainer.
2015 Jeep Renegade
"The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade symbolizes the brand's renowned American design, ingenuity and innovation, marking the Jeep brand's first entry into the small SUV segment," said Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.
"Renegade expands the brand's product portfolio and targets the rapidly expanding small SUV segment with a best-in-class combination of fuel efficiency and off-road capability, while at the same time delivering outstanding driving dynamics and the open-air freedom customers expect from Jeep."
Unveiled on Wednesday at the New York Auto Show the 2015 Renegade is based on the company's latest small-wide 4x4 architecture, was designed here in the U.S., and will be assembled in Fiat's under-utilized Melfi, Italy assembly plant. Engine production will be sourced from plants in Italy, Brazil and the United States.
Here in the U.S., those hoping for either of the two MultiJet II diesel engines will be disappointed. Sport and Latitude models will get a standard 1.4-liter 4-cylinder MultiAir Turbo generating 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque mated to either a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional nine-speed automatic. Optional on both Sport and Latitude models as well as standard on Limited and Trailhawk models is a 2.4-liter inline-4 producing 184 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque paired to the nine-speed automatic and also featuring an auxiliary transmission oil cooler.
The new Jeep compact will also be offered with either front-wheel drive or one of two 4-wheel drive systems.
The Jeep Active Drive full-time system automatically disconnects the rear axle and power transfer unit (PTU) while Jeep Active Drive Low features a 20:1 low-range. The Jeep Active Drive system features Jeep's Selec-Terrain system with four modes (auto, snow, sandand mud) and Hill-descent Control. Jeep Active Drive Low comes standard with Jeep Selec-Terrain system with five modes (auto,snow, sand, mud and rock) and Hill-descent Control.
Renegade Trailhawk 4x4
Like the new Jeep Cherokee, the top off-road Renegade is the Trailhawk, a model that will feature such standard niceties as 0.8 inches of increased ride height (for 8.7 inches of ground clearance), skid plates, front and rear tow hooks and unique front and rear fascias that contribute to 30.5 degree approach, 25.7 degree breakover and 34.3 degree departure angles.
Trailhawk models also feature 17-inch all-terrain tires, up to 8.1 inches of wheel articulation, Hill-descent Control, up to 19 inches of water fording capability as well as 2,000 pounds of towing capability with 2.4-liter Tigershark engine when equipped with the optional tow package.
Exterior
Jeep designers call the Renegade's design language "Tek-Tonic with "Tek" referring to the Wrangler-inspired X-shaped surface treatments found through the interior and exterior.
Interior accoutrements include a soft-touch instrument panel, large passenger grab handle as well as a removable, reversible and height-adjustable cargo floor panel as well as a fold-forward front-passenger seat.
Outside, the X theme is carried over to the Renegade's taillights as well as its most unique feature: two optional "My Sky" open-air roof systems. The first features front and rear manual removable roof panels, while the second consists of a manual rear panel and a power tilt/slide front panel.
Infotainment
Sport models come with a Uconnect 3.0 AM/FM system, while optional on the Sport and standard on Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk models is a Uconnect 5.0 system with 5-inch touch screen. The three upper trim levels also have the option of a Uconnect 6.5 system with 6.5-inch touch screen with GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic, SiriusXM Travel Link, SiriusXM Radio, HD Radio, Uconnect Access and Bluetooth hands free phone, voice command and streaming audio).
