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02 Feb 2021

Carefree driving in winter with the Jeep® 4xe models

Jeep® Renegade and Compass 4xe make driving on snow and ice safer and easier, courtesy of the four-wheel drive hybrid powertrain, which remains always available.

Carefree driving in winter with the Jeep® 4xe models

 

  • Jeep® Renegade and Compass 4xe make driving on snow and ice safer and easier, courtesy of the four-wheel drive hybrid powertrain, which remains always available.
  • Today, 4xe is the new Jeep 4x4, ensuring enhanced capability and performance in all conditions and on all terrains.
  • In both the city and the mountains, the Jeep 4xe models guarantee safety, reliability and performance even in winter, courtesy of leading features such as standard Jeep Selec-Terrain traction control with a specific ‘Snow’ driving mode.
  • Powerloop guarantees range and battery functionality, even at temperatures as low as -30°C.

 

A thermometer below zero, adverse weather conditions in the forecast and a slippery road surface: these are the signs that winter is well underway with the many dangers the elements can bring.

 

The new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology recently introduced to the Jeep® Renegade and Compass 4xe means difficult driving situations can be dealt with in total peace of mind even in the coldest season, whether in or out of the city, on routes that often lead up mountainsides: circumstances when range, battery life and safety are really put to the test.

 

Featuring hybrid four-wheel drive, the Jeep Renegade and Compass 4xe are 4x4 vehicles delivering a carefree winter driving experience on off-road trails as well as in the city. Compared to variants with an internal combustion engine, the Jeep 4xe models offer improved performance, guaranteeing traction for safe travel on snow and ice.

 

The combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor – on which eAWD traction is based – provides higher torque than a car with a conventional combustion engine. It also offers the option of high-precision torque adjustments during take-off and while driving off-road on the most challenging terrain, when a low transmission ratio is required.

 

Winter-proof, even in the city

When driving in the city, the tendency is to go full electric, by selecting the “Electric” drive mode available on Jeep Renegade or Compass 4xe. This way, drivers also get access to "restricted" traffic zones, given the vehicle’s use of the electric motor to supply power to the rear wheels for zero-emissions driving. In full-electric mode, Jeep 4xe models can to travel an average range of 50 km and reach a top speed of 130 km/h. The internal combustion engine only turns on when necessary, especially in case of kick-downs, or when the battery level is low.

 

When road surface conditions turn wet, slippery or icy and more traction is needed, the Jeep Renegade and Compass 4xe models become authentic 4x4s with all the advantages for handling that go with that. The system automatically starts the internal combustion engine on the front axle, which drives the front wheels and turns the vehicle into an eAWD, i.e. an all-wheel-drive car that is also a hybrid.
In this hybrid configuration – internal combustion engine working on the front axle, electric motor on the rear – the top-of-the-range S and Trailhawk 4xe models can deliver up to 240 hp and approximately 200 km/h of top speed. With 240 hp, these are the most powerful Renegade and Compass models and the most off-road capable and the best performing and fun to drive at the same time. All this without forgetting the safety guaranteed by their 4x4 prowess.
Further assistance for drivers facing adverse weather conditions and snowy ground is provided by electronic systems such as Jeep Selec-Terrain™, the traction control system with a specific ‘Snow’ driving mode that maximizes traction in extreme conditions. When selected, all the car’s systems are set up to deal with snowy road surfaces, from the engine/transmission response to the calibration of the electronic traction and stability controls.

 

In terms of safety, the Jeep 4xe models come with advanced ADAS systems, including high-visibility Full LED headlights (standard or optional on Renegade depending on the version), Bi-Xenon headlights (on Compass), standard Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning Plus, Intelligent Speed Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition (on the Renegade only) and front (optional on Compass) and rear parking sensors. Available safety features include Blind Spot Detection, ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, automatic Park Assist and Keyless Go. Jeep Renegade 4xe also features as standard the new Drowsy Driver Detection system, which detects the level of driver’s fatigue in order to prevent accidents.
For enhanced on-board comfort in the coldest season, it is available on all 4xe models the Winter pack –including heated front seats and steering wheel, windscreen with anti-freeze function and all-weather mats.
Finally, a real “plus” in the winter season is the option to program the air conditioning system remotely via the My Uconnect mobile app and find the cabin at the ideal temperature when reaching the parking lot, even on the coldest mornings.

 

Mountainside fun and safety

When travelling out of town on country roads in the Jeep Renegade or Compass 4xe, drivers can select the “e-Save” mode and maximise energy efficiency by using the “Battery Save” function, which maintains the remaining battery life; or the “Battery Charge” option, which in turn uses the combustion engine to recharge the battery up to 80%.
In winter, however, dealing with mountain roads often means facing up to adverse road conditions. The Renegade and Compass 4xe can count on the advanced Jeep Active Drive Low four-wheel drive system with hybrid technology. The system provides improved control at low speed and maximises torque and traction.
Moreover, it offers a further advantage: it does not use the drive shaft or mechanical clutches to operate the rear axle.

 

When driving in the mountains, especially during long descents, it is also possible to use the car’s kinetic energy with the e-Coasting function, whereby the movement of the wheels regenerates energy and stores it in the battery. This ensures several advantages: it saves energy, to the benefit of efficiency and ecology, but it also increases the total electric range of the car through the more intense e-Coasting setting. By regenerating energy, it also increases the braking power of the Renegade and the Compass 4xe.

 

Jeep 4xe SUVs also include as standard a special system to tackle challenging downhill slopes with heavy snow and ice. Known as “Hill-Descent Control”, it helps limit speed when driving downhill by acting on the front and rear brakes.
To come up against the most slippery climbs and heavily snowed-in stretches with no risk of getting “bogged down”, 4WD Lock works with Selec-Terrain’s Snow mode to deliver full-time four-wheel drive. When wheel slippage is detected, traction is instantly routed to the wheel with the most grip, simulating a mechanical self-locking differential.

 

In terms of range, Jeep 4xe models also offer every adjustment to ensure the driver remains in total safety, even in situations such as extended off-road driving on snowy or icy routes. To prevent inconvenience, when the battery charging level drops faster, the two electric motors – the core of the 4xe system together with the internal combustion engine – feature the powerloop function, which ensures that eAWD traction is always available to tackle extended off-road adventures on snowy terrain with complete peace of mind.

 

All the high-voltage electronic components, including the control modules and the wiring between the battery pack and electric motors, are fully sealed and waterproof, providing protection when fording water, even with snow and ice. The Trailhawk versions are also fitted with steel skid plates for added protection when driving on rough terrain in mud and heavy snow, and specific equipment including benchmark angles (approach angle of 28 degrees, departure angle of 28 degrees, breakover angle of 18 degrees, ground clearance of 20.1 cm on the Renegade Trailhawk; approach angle of 30.4 degrees, departure angle of 33.3 degrees, breakover angle of 20.9 degrees, ground clearance of 21.3 cm on the Compass Trailhawk). These are all extremely helpful to tackle and overcome obstacles on snowy ground.

 

The 11.4-kWh and 400-volt lithium-ion battery powering the "e-axle" features both a refrigeration and heating system. If exposed to very low temperatures for a long period, the latter prevents impact on range, ensuring the system can operate normally at temperatures as low as -30°C.

 

The choice of tyres is also important in winter: it is highly recommended to go for those marked M+S with snowflake, delivering maximum grip even on slippery surfaces. Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 4xe features standard 17” 235/55 R17 M+S tyres with snowflake while Jeep Compass Trailhawk 4xe features standard 17” 235/60 R17 M+S tyres with snowflake.

 

Jeep Authentic Accessories powered by Mopar® and Jeep Performance Parts

Finally, a quick look at the authentic accessories powered by Mopar® that can be fitted to the Jeep Renegade and Compass 4xe. These include black cross rails to mount various accessories such as a ski or snowboard carrier, an individual ski rack or even a rubber boot mat with the Jeep logo, easily washable to prevent the car getting dirty when loading up, especially in winter when items such as snowy boots or muddy shoes might need to go in.

 

Jeep Renegade and Compass 4xe can be customised with a wide range of Jeep Authentic Accessories powered by Mopar® and Jeep Performance Parts. In all, more than 100 accessories are available for the Jeep 4xe models, each designed to enhance their urban and off-road personality. These include the Mopar 4xe Pack that brings together a selection of accessories designed to enhance their ‘electric’ nature. These are ‘Blue‘ styling accents on the bonnet and rear-view mirror caps, a matching ring around the iconic seven-slot grille and dedicated, premium-quality mats. 

 

 

Turin, February 2, 2021

 

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