It’s no secret that Jeep is looking to expand its “4xe” portfolio of plug-in hybrid models and the next in line to get the electrified treatment is the all-new Grand Cherokee. The latest generation of the midsize SUV debuted at the beginning of the year in a three-row L variant and is expected to spawn a PHEV version in the coming months.
Before that happens, a fully camouflaged version of the two-row Grand Cherokee has been caught resting in a parking lot in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The disguise isn’t really hiding anything we haven’t seen as the 4xe model is expected to largely inherit the exterior design of its conventionally powered sibling. That said, there should be a charging port somewhere under the camo, and we are noticing the wheels have a different look and seem to have an aero-focused design to improve efficiency.
We can hear the five-seat Grand Cherokee with its shorter wheelbase compared to the L model exiting the parking lot without making any sound, thus confirming it’s a plug-in hybrid by starting in electric mode. As with many hybrids out there, it likely remains in pure EV mode at low speeds before the internal combustion engine kicks in.
Technical specifications remain shrouded in mystery for now, although an educated guess tells us the electrified Grand Cherokee will inherit the plug-in hybrid system from the Wrangler 4xe. In the off-roader, the PHEV setup is good for a combined 375 horsepower (280 kilowatts) and 470 pound-feet (637 Newton-meters) of torque coming from a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a pair of electric motors.
On the other hand, a four-cylinder engine might be a bit on the small side for such a vehicle, especially since the Grand Cherokee 4xe will likely weigh more than the Wrangler 4xe. There are rumors of a newly developed inline-six engine from FCA (now Stellantis), presumably with electrification thrown into the mix for added efficiency. Some would argue that would be a better fit for the bigger SUV, but nothing is official at this point.
We should have a clear answer in the coming months.
Source: TFLnow / YouTube
