Jeep Australia has confirmed that its compact Compass SUV will be the latest model to adopt and electrified drivetrain, with the inclusion of two new e-Hybrid variants due in 2024.

The news follows the arrival in August of the brand’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and that Jeep’s first all-electric model, the Avenger, is also set to join the local lineup in the second half of 2024.

As the latest electrified model announced the Compass will bring both mild-hybrid electric (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) technology to Jeep’s compact SUV lineup.

The new electrified variants are due to arrive in the first half 2024, replacing the existing 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol powertrain variants from Q4 2023 production.

Jeep Compass e-Hybrid FWD.

The Compass e-Hybrid FWD features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, mated with a 48-volt 15kW/55Nm electric motor incorporated within a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The system appears to be like that which recently debuted on fellow Stellantis Group stablemate the Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid, with Jeep claiming the mild-hybrid Compass is capable of full-electric propulsion at start-up when travelling at low speeds and during parking manoeuvres.

The company has not released full details or claimed outputs for this model but in the Alfa Romeo Tonale a similarly specified system delivers a claimed 118kW/240Nm and fuel economy of 5.6L/100km.

The other new electrified Jeep joining the range in 2024 is the Compass 4xe, a PHEV that combines a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a 44kW electric motor to deliver up to 50km of driving in full-electric mode.

Jeep Compass e-Hybrid FWD (overseas model).

Details are again light on for this market but in the UK, where the same variant is sold, the Compass PHEV boasts outputs of 176kW/270Nm and claimed efficiency of 1.5L/100km.

In that guise, the Jeep Compass 4xe will happily go about its business automatically, or the driver can manually select Hybrid mode, which uses both the combustion engine and electric motor, Electric mode, which uses only the electric motor, or e-Save mode, which maintains the battery state of charge for when it is required.

Drive is channelled through a six-speed automatic transmission, with a Selec-Terrain traction control system providing four driving modes: Auto, Sport, Snow, and Sand/Mud, plus a fifth Rock mode exclusively on the more off-road oriented Trailhawk variant.

Notable features on UK models includes a 10.25-inch full HD digital colour display screen instrument panel, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10.1-inch Ultra HD resolution infotainment screen that utilises Jeep’s latest Uconnect operating system, including ‘Hey Jeep’ voice assistant.

Jeep Compass 4xe. 

Safety equipment includes LED headlamps with signature daytime running lights and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

Jeep Australia says the new Jeep Compass e-Hybrid FWD and Compass 4xe will run in various driving scenarios using only the electric motor (and with the petrol engine turned off).

This includes:

• e-Launch: starts the vehicle using only the electric motor, when starting or restarting.
•  e-Creeping: the electric motor provides the start-up normally seen in automatic vehicles, at a speed that can vary from 0km/h to the equivalent of the petrol engine idling in first gear, or in reverse.
• e-Queueing: the vehicle can keep going in a traffic jam, following a ‘stop and go’ pattern in full-electric mode.
• e-Parking: parking manoeuvres can be carried out using electric propulsion only.

Other claimed advantages of the new Jeep Compass hybrid models include:

• Silent start: starts the vehicle with no need to turn on the petrol engine.
• Energy recovery: recovers energy that would otherwise be wasted when the vehicle decelerates (e-Coasting) and during braking (regenerative braking)
• Boost and load point Shift: ‘e-Boosting’ allows an increase in torque to the driven wheels thanks to the electric motor supporting the petrol engine; and by taking advantage of the (drive or braking) torque delivered by the electric motor, the operating point (revs) of the petrol engine can be optimised.
• Electric drive: the vehicle can travel in silence and with zero exhaust emissions using only the electric motor, while the petrol engine is turned off.

The new Jeep Compass e-Hybrid FWD and Compass 4xe are scheduled for launch in 2024, with detailed specifications, range and pricing to be confirmed closer to launch.

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