The addition of the Jeep Avenger 4xe to the line-up brings AWD and hybrid goodness to the compact SUV’s table. The 4xe combines a petrol engine with two EV motors for AWD and improved off-road ability.
Jeep’s boss, Antonio Filosa, promises the 4xe Avenger will “go further, faster and better off-road” than any in its class.
The Avenger range currently comprises a pure electric and in some countries a pure-petrol variant, both front-wheel drive. Jeep had promised an AWD variant would follow. Filosa said “For us capability is all around off-road; any Jeep vehicle must have more capability than every rival.”
Now the AWD variant emerges in the form of the Avenger 4xe. It combines a 100kW 1.2-litre turbopetrol operating through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with a pair of 21kW electric motors, one per axle. A 48V hybrid system will boost off-road performance.
The all-wheel drive system imparts the 4xe with a 0-100 time of 9.5 seconds, around a second down on the electric Avenger. But off formed roads there will be no contest. Jeep claims off-road ability via a ‘smart’ all-wheel drive system. At speeds below 30km/h power is always sent to all four wheels. Above that, the rear axle is only powered when it’s required. At higher speeds it is 2wd alone to reduce fuel consumption.
There’s on-demand torque distribution in all-wheel drive mode, with up to a 50:50 split. And a Selec-Terrain drive mode function features Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud and Sport modes, altering the power distribution and stability control depending on the conditions.
The powertrain incorporates a 22:7:1 reducer on the rear axle to allow for torque amplification. Jeep claims that Avenger 4xe can traverse slopes of up to 40 per cent.
Ground clearance is 10mm higher than in the regular Avenger at 210mm. The 4xe can evidently ford water crossings of up to 400mm in depth. There’s also multilink rear suspension for greater rear axle articulation. Technically, the Avenger 4xe features 22-degree approach, 21-degree breakover and 35-degree departure angles.
Pick the Avenger 4xe model by its roof rails, rear tow hook and higher set fog lamps. New coloured bumpers have an anti-scratch finish. Mud and snow tyres are also on offer while All Terrain tyres are optionally available. Its alloys are black.
The interior includes seats finished in washable material, while more durable plastics enhance cabin life.
We asked Jeep New Zealand whether or not the Avenger 4xe is coming here and they said probably not but that a petrol mild hybrid version of Avenger is highly likely.
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