Much like the Renegade, Compass, and Wrangler equipped with a charging port, the Grand Cherokee carries the “4xe” suffix. Its technical specifications haven’t changed compared to the North American model since it features the same combustion engine and a pair of electric motors. The four-cylinder 2.0-liter gasoline unit works with the e-motor duo to produce 375 hp and 637 Nm (470 lb-ft).

While the battery’s size for the Euro-spec model hasn’t been specified, we do know the US-spec Grand Cherokee 4xe boasts a 17-kWh pack good for 40 kilometers (25 miles). However, Jeep is saying the SUV seen here will do as much as 51 kilometers (32 miles). The difference likely stems from the test cycles as WLTP is known for being significantly more generous.

Initially, Jeep will sell the PHEV SUV in the Exclusive Launch Edition. It’s a generously equipped model with everything from a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system to wireless charging for your smartphone. There’s even a dedicated display measuring 10.25 inches for the passenger sitting in the front where the driver gets a digital instrument cluster measuring a slightly smaller 10 inches. As for the infotainment, it too has a 10-inch diagonal.

The list of standard kit is more generous than that, including 16-way electrically adjustable front seats with a massaging function and wrapped in Palermo leather. Jeep adds real walnut accents along with heated and ventilated rear seats. The Grand Cherokee 4xe wants to compete with fully fledged luxury SUVs by featuring four-zone climate control, 21-inch wheels, and all-LED headlights.

It’s already available to buy in some European countries where you will have to order it online until March 30. After that, customers will have to drop by their local Jeep dealers for the necessary paperwork. Mind you, it’s not available all over the continent since the company is currently taking orders only in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Source: Jeep

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The Grand Cherokee 4xe joins other PHEVs from Jeep, such as the Wrangler 4xe sold in the United States where the Gladiator 4xe pickup is due to arrive shortly. Over in Europe, the smaller Renegade and Compass crossovers are both offered with a combustion engine working together with an electric motor. The 4xe offerings could expand to include the Grand Cherokee L as well as the larger Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer flagship SUVs.

Much like the rumors have indicated in the build-up to the Grand Cherokee’s world premiere today, the 4xe does indeed get the same electrified setup as the aforementioned Wrangler 4xe. It combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a pair of electric motors for a total output of 375 hp (280 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm).

Jeep is targeting 25 miles (40 kilometers) of range in EV mode, while as a PHEV, the SUV should be able to cover distances of more than 440 miles (708 km). The estimated fuel economy of 57 MPGe is pretty good for such a large and heavy vehicle equipped with a 17-kWh battery pack. Interestingly, all components and high-voltage electronic systems are sealed and waterproof, prompting Jeep to add “Trail Rated” badges to signal the vehicle’s off-road capabilities.

The 4xe model comes with selectable operating modes (E Selec), giving drivers the possibility to pick between Hybrid, Electric, and eSave modes. Hybrid combines the torque of the electric drive with that of the combustion engine for the best balance in terms of efficiency and power. Electric shuts off the gas engine, which is reactivated automatically if the battery is running low or the driver presses hard on the gas pedal.

As for the eSave mode, it prioritizes the use of the combustion engine to save the battery’s energy for later use. This mode itself features Battery Save and Battery Charge modes, which can be turned on through the Uconnect infotainment system.

It’s worth noting the 4xe comes in the Trailhawk flavor, which is the most off-road-focused Grand Cherokee of the bunch. It boasts the Quadra Drive II all-wheel drive system with a two-speed gearbox and 2.72:1 reduced gear ratio and benefits from an electronic limited-slip rear self-locking differential. It can be visually distinguished thanks to its blue tow hooks, unique 18-inch wheels with blue trim, and all-terrain tires.

Jeep plans to have the 2022 Grand Cherokee – including 4xe – on sale in North America early next year, with global markets to follow shortly thereafter.

Source: Jeep

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Indeed, Jeep is confirming the world premiere will include a 4xe version, which is a suffix the company is already using for the Wrangler fitted with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. We’re hearing the Wrangler’s pickup truck sibling, the Gladiator, will also receive a charging port later this year. Meanwhile, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is set to make its debut on September 29.

As shown below, it’s worth mentioning Jeep has already previewed the Grand Cherokee 4xe during the Stellantis: EV Day back in July, but without revealing any technical specifications. It’s unclear what sort of powertrain it will use, whether it will be different than what Jeep is using in the Wrangler 4xe. As a refresher, the electrified off-roader relies on a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a pair of electric motors.

The Wrangler 4xe delivers a combined output of 375 horsepower (280 kilowatts) and 470 pound-feet (637 Newton-meters) of torque. It uses a fairly small lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 17.3 kWh, which has enough juice for 22 miles of pure electric range. The Grand Cherokee 4xe could end up heavier, therefore possibly requiring a beefier powertrain and a larger battery, but nothing is official at this point.

Following the Grand Cherokee and Gladiator PHEV versions, Jeep brand CEO Christian Meunier has already confirmed the bigger Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs will receive 4xe models as part of the firm’s extended electrified lineup. It would make sense for the Grand Cherokee L to also get the PHEV treatment sooner rather than later.

Source: Jeep

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As it turns out, Jeep might be working on another way to electrify the large SUV. An article published on the official SEMA website claims the long-rumored “Tornado” inline-six engine will finally make its debut in a production car and will benefit from a mild-hybrid 48v setup. Details are limited at this point but the Specialty Equipment Market Association site alleges a newly developed eight-speed ZF automatic transmission will be used.

Rumors about the straight-six gasoline engine have been swirling around the Internet for years. These were fueled by a patent filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from 2019 by the defunct Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), now Stellantis after merging with PSA Peugeot Citroën. Sources close to SEMA claim the electrified Tornado unit could be available for the 2022 Grand Cherokee, which if true, an official announcement should be made in the coming months.

We’d take this report with the proverbial pinch of salt, especially since we’ve been hearing about the Tornado inline-six for quite a while and none of the rumors have materialized so far. There is a possibility the new engine will live in the Stellantis era, but likely only if it’s electrified seeing as how the world’s fourth-largest car manufacturer is gradually shifting to hybrids and EVs.

The Grand Cherokee is not the only new product from the automotive conglomerate to go the hybrid route as the Gladiator pickup truck will borrow the PHEV setup from the Wrangler 4xe it’s based upon. It’s coming sooner rather than later and will likely be less efficient due to its considerable extra weight compared to the SUV.

Source: SEMA

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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

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Another novelty brought by the switch to the WL generation is the adoption of a plug-in hybrid powertrain for which customers won’t have to wait a long time. That’s because Car and Driver are reporting the electrified Grand Cherokee is also coming for the 2022 model year, meaning Jeep will launch the PHEV model in the following months.

Much like the plug-in hybrid Wrangler, the new Grand Cherokee equipped with an electric motor will adopt the “4xe” suffix. The report goes on to say Jeep will sell the thrifty derivative in both two- and three-row configurations, which makes perfect sense to us. It’s unclear what sort of powertrain the midsize SUVs will employ, but we’re betting on a gasoline engine working with that electric motor and a battery pack.

It will be interesting to see what sort of electric range the Grand Cherokee 4xe will offer considering the Wrangler 4xe is only good for 25 miles (40 kilometers). The smaller SUV boasts a 17.3-kWh pack, but the Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid would likely require a larger battery to achieve that range considering it’s a heavier vehicle.

Aside from these two 4xe models, Jeep will also electrify the range-topping Grand Wagoneer seeing as how the concept debuted in September 2020 with a PHEV system. The company did not release any details about the electrified hardware at that time, but whatever will be found in the production model, it might also end up in the Grand Cherokee.

Rumors about a new inline-six gasoline engine developed by FCA have been making the Internet rounds for years, and if such a powertrain is indeed coming, it would make sense to install it first in the higher-end vehicles. Beyond the 4xe flavor, the all-new Grand Cherokee might spawn high-performance SRT and Trackhawk variants, but only for the two-row model.

Source: Car and Driver

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