Test Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the Most Powerful and the Most Ecological

 Here you have the test of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe the PHEV or plug-in hybrid version that with 380 hp becomes the most powerful in the history of Jeep. An electrified Wrangler? Yes, this process is unstoppable even for the toughest models on the market. Does it affect your offroad capabilities? This is what I want to check...

But first let me tell you about its guts: it inherits the 4xe technology from the Renegade and the Compass but without changing its image. only the Electric Blue color in the exterior details give it away. Try Jeep Wrangler led headlights replacement, they are affordable for upgrading the vehicle.

You will only see it with a single body size, the 4-door Jeep Wrangler, while the 2-door version will only be offered with gasoline mechanics (diesel variants are no longer offered). There are three finishes: Sahara, Rubicon, and the 80th Anniversary Special Edition. 

The battery pack is protected in an aluminum casing, it is mounted under the rear seats and therefore they are not exposed to water. This location allows maintaining the same load capacity as in the combustion Wrangler, that is, up to 533 liters.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid system combines a turbocharged gasoline engine plus two other electric motors: in total they offer 380 CV of power and 637 Nm of torque, a force that is derived to the ground through an eight-speed automatic transmission ( the lithium-ion battery is 17.3 kWh).

With such cavalry, the Wrangler is very fast on the straight: it accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.4 seconds, which is a very good figure (it can reach 130 km / h in 100% electric mode).

There are three driving modes: Hybrid, Electric and E-Save. All this gives it greater versatility of use as it is no longer an unthinkable model in environments such as large cities.

It's strange to roll with a Wrangler that hardly rolls when moving. If things get complicated in the field, no problem: the off-road performance of the Wrangler 4xe is better than its combustion brothers, thanks to the instantaneous electric torque it is not necessary to increase the engine revolutions to make the tires move and it is possible to have greater control and precision.

Depending on the trim, two different four-wheel drive systems are offered: Selec-Trac for the Sahara 4xe and 80th Anniversary 4xe and Rock-Trac on the Rubicon 4xe. Off-road dimensions are excellent and identical to the petrol variant: approach angle of 36.6 degrees, breakover angle of 21.4 degrees, departure angle of 31.8 degrees and ground clearance of 253mm. In addition, it is capable of fording up to 76 cm of water.

It is difficult to reach the 45 kilometers of autonomy that the Wrangler PHEV announces, although to maximize autonomy the Max Regen function can be activated where regenerative braking is more intense (up to 0.25 g) so that more kinetic energy is recovered during deceleration phases.

Full charging takes two and a half hours in a 7.4 kW wallbox (in a conventional plug it takes around nine and a half hours). Price: The Jeep Wrangler 4xe costs 68,900 euros (without applied discounts), between 2,700 and 3,300 euros compared to the gasoline Wrangler.

KTM Join The Paths to Continue Advancing

 The Austrian brand and the Spanish firm sign an agreement that could end in a total integration. They say that great agreements have to be cooked over a slow fire and it seems that the agreement between KTM and Gas Gas has been forged in a pot of clay and embers. It is undeniable and evident that KTM has had its sights set on Gas Gas for a long time, probably since before the bankruptcy was announced, back in July 2015. At that time the approaches began, but it has not been until now, when the Austrian has decided take sides of the situation.

KTM is undoubtedly becoming the Volkswagen Group of motorcycles, with numerous acquisitions here and there to complement its catalog on all fronts: there was even talk of a possible purchase of Ducati by KTM! Where they see an opportunity to grow, there they are, willing to drop euros in abundance. Looking for the KTM 500 exc led headlight? Here it is. And without a doubt, the Gas Gas brand with its Torrot electric motorcycle division represented a golden opportunity to grow.

But as I was saying, this agreement is marked by controversy, since the Gas Gas workers did not receive KTM well when it was interested for the first time. For this reason, KTM is not talking about an acquisition, but about the creation of a Joint Venture between KTM and Black Toro Capital, owner of the Gas Gas and Torrot brand. Gas Gas Motorcycles is born, with 60% of the capital in the hands of KTM. 

The agreement looks very good for both parties, which in the end is what is important: that everyone is satisfied. Gas Gas will take advantage of KTM's technology and vast sales network to improve its products and better sell them around the globe. For its part, KTM will take advantage of Gas Gas' knowledge in the field of trial bikes, where the Austrian does not have much knowledge, and in electric bikes, a key factor for the future of mobility and of a large group like wants to be KTM.

It seems that everyone wins with this agreement. Gas Gas has a three-year cushion to continue with the Salt factory, in Girona, open and producing. An air cushion that you must know how to take advantage of to guarantee the continuity of the company. If the company is owned by KTM or Black Toro Capital, I don't think it is too relevant either: the important thing is to continue producing, continue generating jobs and continue generating wealth.

And I believe that this agreement will be as important for Gas Gas as the one signed by Seat with Volkswagen a few decades ago. If they know how to take advantage of their opportunity and manage to create the expected synergies, I believe that both brands can start a very profitable journey together. The important thing is to move forward and what would not be strange is that over time, KTM ends up taking 100% of the shares and full control of the Spanish firm. They want to be a monster on two wheels!

From a Luxurious Jeep Grand Cherokee L to a Bar on Wheels

 In the midst of shows that are canceled year after year, like the one in Geneva, and others that are reinvented with some success, like the German IAA that left the immense Frankfurt fairgrounds for the streets of Munich, there are events that do not change. One of them is the SEMA Show. And it's back.

Jeep is one of the brands that never misses this professional fair (it is not open to the public). And as in every edition, it has a lot of cars and concept cars. This year, there are only four Jeeps that the brand presents.

This year there are few, yes, but there is something for everyone. From what could be a new variant of the Jeep Wrangler to a Grand Cherokee L that wants to rival the Range Rover in luxury through a restomod.

This is perhaps the most interesting of the proposed concept cars, the Jeep Wrangler Overlook. It is longer than the Wrangler Unlimited. In fact, it is 30 cm longer. It not only adds cargo space, but also space for passengers by having a third row of seats.

It also stands out for its safari-style roof, something many SUVs and off-roaders had for years, from the Matra Rancho to the Land Rover Discovery LR4. This roof is one 12 cm higher than the roof of a normal Wrangler, the objective is to free up space under the roof for the passengers in the third row. The interior features black leather upholstery and bronze accents.

Other body changes include a custom hood, a front bumper with an improved angle of attack. It also features a black grille and additional Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) A-pillar headlights, as well as tubular side steps. The Overlook also features Fox shocks and 20-inch wheels with 37-inch tires.

At the moment it is just a concept car. Although if there is demand, perhaps Jeep will dare to a long version with three rows of seats of the Jeep Wrangler.

What would a bunch of Jeep SEMA preps be without at least one restomod. For this edition, they took an old Kaiser Jeep M725 military ambulance and turned it into a beastly bar truck, like a food truck but only serving drinks. Under its hood, we find a 6.4-liter V8 and 485 hp associated with an automatic transmission. This is actuated via a B&M gear lever housed in a repurposed ammunition box.

Of course, it maintains all-wheel drive and the original axles, but now with coil springs instead of the leaf springs of the original model. The wheels, of course, are 20 inches with 40-inch off-road tires.

The rear cargo area has been converted into a bar on wheels, with a drop-down side panel and drop-down roof. The interior counter features a couple of taps for serving beer. On the side, the Jeep radiator grille in the shape of bottles stands out, making it very clear what is being served.

The cabin is still pretty spartan - it was a military vehicle, after all - but it's painted the same sand color as the exterior and features a custom steering wheel, various aviation-style clocks that make up a dash, and Wrangler seats. covered with a canvas upholstery.

The big news this year at Jeep is the new Grand Cherokee, both in the Grand Cherokee L (long) and short Grand Cherokee versions, which we will see in Europe. And therefore could not miss the SEMA. This Grand Cherokee L is not so extreme in its pretensions off the asphalt.

What's more, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L Breckenridge is a proposal that explores the possibility of a luxurious, asphalt-oriented Jeep, to overshadow SUVs.

The body sports a custom two-tone paint, with the lower section in matte grey-blue and the roof in gloss black. The logos and grille are bronze. The roof is combined with a black cargo box. Notably, 21-inch wheels are available as an accessory through Mopar.

But the most striking thing is undoubtedly the interior. It has a blue leather upholstery baptized "Atmospheric Blue Palermo". Echoing the exterior, the door panels are gloss black with bronze accents.

The dashboard features real walnut wood trim, in a distinctly old school style. Jeep has taken care of every last detail, there are even some leather cushions for the rear seats and a set of personalized suitcases in the trunk.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid is the other great innovation from Jeep. It is normal, therefore, that there is a gap in the list of models that Jeep will exhibit in Las Vegas.

This Wrangler 4xe is a showcase for JPP and Mopar accessories intended for the Wrangler and Wrangler 4xe. Thus, it equips the new JPP lift kit designed expressly for the Wrangler 4xe that raises it 5 cm.

In addition, it has Fox shock absorbers. On the other hand, it is not visible to the naked eye, but the windshield is now made of Gorilla Glass (in principle, the most resistant glass in the world).

The rest of the installed accessories are more obvious, such as the steel bumper, winch, additional Jeep Wrangler LED headlights, tubular doors, rear fold-out table on the tailgate, tailgate hinge reinforcement and tailgate relocation kit. third brake light.

Finally, the beadlock rims, which prevent rim stripping, with 37-inch tires complete this catalog on wheels.