To stick to its electrification objectives, Jeep will stop marketing the 100% thermal Wrangler in Europe in 2022. It will be necessary to be satisfied with the 4xe model, equipped with a rechargeable hybrid engine. This one will also benefit in 2022 from some new features.

Farewell, thermal engines. The Stellantis group has announced that the Jeep Wrangler will only be offered in a plug-in hybrid version in Europe from 2022. What we confirm is that, the 9 inch oem Jeep Wrangler led headlights fit for the hybrid version as well. Called Wrangler 4xe, this version, already on the market since 2021, will undergo some improvements, particularly in terms of driving aids. driving available on board and customization options.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid edition 2022 will indeed be offered in two new body colors, called Silver Zynith Metallic Clear Coat and High Velocity Metallic Clear Coat. Each color is available in combination with a soft top as well as a black or body color hardtop. Note that a color rotation program among the Jeep range will allow customers of the brand to acquire the Wrangler in Tuscadero color until January 2022, then in Gobi color for a limited period from summer 2022. .

The other novelty announced by Jeep for the Wrangler in 2022 is the arrival of a windshield made of resistant Corning Gorilla Glass protective glass in the catalog. This glass “uses the same chemical strengthening technology as cell phone screens,” says Stellantis. According to the automotive group, a combination of an inner layer of this ultra-thin glass and a 52% thicker outer layer “makes this windshield lightweight, durable and up to three times more shatter resistant, cracks and fractures caused by stones and off-road debris”. Practical, to ride off the beaten track without fear.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe will also be offered in 2022 with a new sunroof called Sunrider. This soft top in black twill fabric sits above the front row of the car, with the rest of the roof being hard. In terms of driving aids, Jeep adds automatic switching from high beam to low beam as well as high-speed collision warning equipped with advanced braking assistant and adaptive cruise control with stop.

The 4x4 therefore retains its plug-in hybrid engine consisting of a 2.0 four-cylinder turbo engine associated with two electric motors and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Total power is now announced at 380 hp for 637 Nm of torque. The 0 to 100 km / h is shot in 6.4 seconds. A 100% electric mode is available, which allows the Jeep Wrangler 4xe to travel 50 kilometers without emissions. Jeep advertises that a full battery charge takes “less than three hours” with a 7.4 kWh charge.

Jeep's choice to market only plug-in hybrid versions of its Wrangler in Europe is not thoughtless. By 2025, the American brand wants to achieve a target of 70% electrified models among its total sales. By purely and simply removing the engines without hybridization, there is no doubt that it should achieve this.

In short
It had to happen one day: Jeep will stop selling the Jeep Wrangler in thermal version in our regions. From 2022, only the Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid will be marketed in Europe. This model therefore benefits from some improvements, with new driving aids, new body colors, a Gorilla Glass windshield and a new sunroof.

Here's a clear example of a niche model: the Jeep Gladiator, derived from the Jeep Wrangler, is a flat-bed, double-cab convertible. In 2020 it will come to our market, but we have already been able to drive it. Test: Jeep Gladiator.

To begin with, it must be made clear that this is a car to get anywhere by any road. Even if there is no path: its 28 centimeters high above the ground make it possible. Thank goodness it has a sturdy handle on the A-pillar.

That, for the companion. Because the driver, just sitting behind the wheel, his vertical windshield and long nose, already begins to feel a certain emotion. And that, even before starting the engine.

Removing the thin canvas top is easy, and it sits neatly folded behind the second row of seats. You can also remove the doors: the corresponding Torx bits to unscrew is a Gladiator onboard tool.

And finally, I briefly press the start button (weather resistant), and under the hood wakes up the 3.6-liter gasoline V6, with 285 hp, which begins to bubble a kind of roar. I have an eight-speed automatic to tame them. If I want, I can order the Gladiator with the six-speed manual transmission.
At the wheel of the Jeep Gladiator

The tour of the countryside becomes an adventure with strong emotions, because it is surprising how easily it goes through difficult terrain. With a lean angle of 43.5 degrees at the front and 26 degrees at the rear, the Jeep tops almost every hill I set out to do.

Around the transmission case, tank and crankcase, there are numerous protective components. In front of the folded windshield (four screws), the world is at my feet. Try these Jeep Gladiator jt led headlights, bright your road anytime even offroad. And behind it, I can take whatever I want: the box has plenty of space to house its up to 725 kilos of capacity. If necessary, the seats can be folded down to expand the cargo area. Surfboards and bikes can be placed in the BOX with a special holder. Mopar, Jeep's tuning and accessories department, has plenty of clever ideas on the trim list.

The Gladiator Rubicon comes standard with a front camera to make it easier to spot obstacles. By the way: its wading capacity is 76 centimeters. To give you an idea: the Mercedes G-Class has "only" a wading depth of 70 centimeters. Once on the road, there are almost no differences to the normal Wrangler. And the ones that exist are for the better: due to asphalt in bad condition, it filters with a little more fluidity and is not so dry, which has to do with its wheelbase, which is 49 centimeters longer.

By mid-2020, the gladiator must come to us. A fact: All 4,190 copies of the initial edition were sold out in the US after one day.