Jeep has unveiled its first ever fully electric vehicle, adventurously named the Avenger, at the Paris motor show.
While the Jeep name is synonymous with adventuring and a taste for freedom, the Jeep Avenger is by no means a 4×4 for the off-road market.
From the outside it is clearly imbued with oodles of Jeep DNA. However, Jeep is clear that the Avenger is a mid-sized SUV that has been designed specifically with the European market in mind.
More particularly, Jeep is targeting the rapidly growing B-SUV segment in Europe, joining a swathe of carmakers intent on capitalising on the more profitable end of the EV market.
Nevertheless, the “baby” Jeep has been studied in design to impress European customers. At 4,080mm long it is immediately recognisable as the zero-emission version with a grille featuring seven closed vertical rectangles.
These are joined by bodywork details already seen on other models of the brand: for example the X-shaped rear lights, or the high waistline and large wheel arches that frame 18-inch wheels and make the car look muscular and massive.
All-electric terrain-loving urban SUV
Indeed, the Avenger is likely to appeal to the urban runabout crowd, particularly those with steep driveways. It has a sturdy stance, benchmark 200mm ground clearance for its class, high approach and departure angles (approach (20°), breakover (20°) and departure (32°) and a range of terrain-specific modes. These include hill descent, sport, snow and mud drive modes.
As Antonella Bruno, head of Jeep Europe in Stellantis put it, the Avenger is “emotional, fun, cool and it stands out from the crowd.”
Under the front and rear seats an through the cardan tunnel, the Avenger packs a 54kWh battery. This, along with a 400-volt architecture, powers a 115kW motor that delivers a maximum 260Nm torque. Based on the WLTP rating, it can drive 400km. However, Jeep says in urban traffic range could reach as much as 550km.
At a DC fast charger, the Avenger is able to charge at a maximum DC charge rate of 100kw. This tops the battery from 20-80% in just 24 minutes. A maximum 11kW AC charge rate allows the Avenger to recharge in 5.5 hours with the appropriate wall or AC charger.
Jeep Avenger impresses on the inside
Inside, the Avenger offers a passenger compartment with numerous compartments and compartments for storing all kinds of objects. Also, there is a 380-litre trunk that has a load threshold 720 mm above the ground.
Digital instrumentation stands out on the dashboard alongside the large 10.25-inch central screen of the Uconnect infotainment. Seating promises to be comfortable, such as the electrically adjustable leather and fabric seats with a massage function.
No promises for Australian launch
Deliveries of the Avenger will start in Europe at the beginning of 2023. Until 30 November, it will be possible to book the car online in a fully-equipped First Edition format, recognisable by two-tone Sun or Granite color with Volcano roof and pillars.
However, there are still no promises for Australia. Although Jeep Australia has confirmed that two other all-electric Jeeps – the Wagoneer S and Recon – will make it here in the future, the Avenger’s arrival is not yet set in stone.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.