Jeep Avenger EV a first for the brand

JEEP has revealed its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), called the Avenger, at Paris Motor Show this week.

Having nothing to do with the bygone Dodge Avenger, the new BEV SUV marks Jeep’s kick-off point into the world of pure electric vehicles with numerous more in various segments scheduled for production soon.

The Avenger will sell in the five door, sub-compact SUV segment and will be available in single- and dual-motor guises on an evolution of the Peugeot/Citroen eCMP platform shared with the Peugeot 2008, Opel Mokka and DS 3 Crossback.

At this point, no price details are available with some UK commentators suggesting something north of £35,000 ($A63,100).

Other Stellantis companies have their own versions of a similar vehicle under development including Alfa Romeo and Fiat. 

The Avenger is initially intended for European, Japanese, and South Korean market consumption with no plans announced yet for the USA, China or anywhere else including Australia. However, it would be naïve to expect a car such as this not to be built for the global market.

The model took pride of place on Jeep’s Paris Motor Show stand that was dedicated to EVs, no ICE cars at all. Unfortunately, scant information is available on Avenger at the moment suffice to say Jeep is spruiking it as being “fully Jeep capable” (presumably in AWD variants).

GoAuto has been able to glean few details on Avenger that is a right-size (small) vehicle for the European market and would most likely sell its socks off in Australia given competitive pricing, the attractive styling and general packaging.

The model was unveiled in September alongside two other Jeep models and is positioned below the Renegade. It will be the smallest vehicle offered by Jeep.

The Avenger will be offered with mild hybrid and battery electric models. Designed in Italy and produced in Poland, the Avenger deliveries to customers will start in 2023, with Jeep targeting annual production of 110,000 units. 

The all-new Jeep Avenger has a new generation electric propulsion system which combines a new electric motor and a new battery. Thanks to the high power and torque, in addition to a specific e-powertrain calibration, Jeep says the new Avenger offers uncompromised driving enjoyment on- and off-road capability.

The second-generation 400V electric powertrain is the first one to be launched by Emotors, a joint venture between Stellantis and Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding. It supplies 115kW and 260Nm of maximum torque.

The 54kWh battery, which is also produced by Stellantis, offers a high energy density and an impressive ratio between nominal and usable energy. Specifically, the battery pack is made up of 17 modules and 102 cells utilising NMC811 lithium-Ion chemistry and delivers 400km of range in the WLTP cycle, which becomes 550km in the urban cycle.

The battery, which Jeep says was tested for over two million kilometres, is extremely compact, non-intrusive and is found under the front and rear seats and the central tunnel. It is protected by a high ground clearance and underbody skid plates during off-road driving.

Recharging the new Avenger is simple via a 100kW Mode 4 cable in direct current, connected to fast public charge, three minutes of charge is enough to provide travel distance of 30km; or 24 minutes is sufficient to charge the batteries from 20 to 80 per cent charge.

Considering that European users travel 30km on an average per day, it is likely that the vehicle can be driven for days before recharging. Meanwhile, with an 11kW Mode 3 cable for alternating current connected to a Wallbox or public station, it is possible to ‘fill up’ (from zero to 100 per cent) in 5.5 hours.

Jeep says the Avenger will combine a modern and technologically advanced interior with plenty of space for people and cargo.

“The new Jeep Avenger spearheads the introduction of a portfolio of all-new Jeep BEVs in Europe.” said Jeep CEO, Christian Meunier.

“It offers Jeep brand capability that is right-sized for the market and during its introduction at the Paris Motor Show, we’ll showcase why it is a great all-electric Jeep brand alternative to current players in the segment.

“The Jeep Avenger is a milestone for our growth plans in key European markets, such as France, and on our path to becoming the leading zero-emission SUV brand in the world.”

The Jeep Avenger will join an already fully electrified (hybrid) European line-up which includes 4xe versions of the Jeep Wrangler, Compass, and Renegade. It will also be followed early next year by the launch of the 4xe version of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

In countries such as Germany and France, the Jeep brand offers only electrified SUVs and by the end of the year almost all of the major markets in Continental Europe will offer only electrified SUVs.

The Jeep fully electric plan, revealed in September, builds on this 4xe momentum. The brand will introduce four zero-emission vehicles in Europe by 2025, with offerings in the main volume segments, including the Jeep Recon and the Wagoneer “S”, two all-new and all-electric vehicles that will compete in the global mid-size SUV segment.

As a result of this product offering, all new Jeep vehicles available in the region will be 100 per cent electric by 2030 Jeep says.