Jeep has announced a new electric SUV – the Avenger will be produced at its Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland and will come equipped with a new-generation 400V electric propulsion system, which combines a new electric motor and a new battery.
The second-generation 400V electric powertrain is the first one to be launched by Emotors, a joint venture between Stellantis and Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding. It supplies 115kW, corresponding to 156hp, and 260Nm of maximum torque.
“The new Jeep Avenger represents a key milestone for the brand as it is the first of a portfolio of all-new Jeep BEVs to be introduced in Europe.” said Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO. “It offers Jeep brand capability that is rightsized for the European market and at the Paris Motor Show, we are showcasing why it is a great all-electric Jeep brand alternative to current players in the B-SUV segment.”
The new 54kWh battery, which is also produced by Stellantis, offers a high energy density and an excellent ratio between nominal and usable energy. Specifically, the battery pack is made up of 17 modules and 102 cells utilizing NMC 811 Lithium-Ion chemistry and delivers 400km (248 miles) of range in the WLTP cycle, which becomes 550km (340 miles) in the urban cycle.
It was tested for over 2 millionkm (1.2 million miles), is compact, non-intrusive and is found under the front and rear seats and the central tunnel. Furthermore, it is protected by a high ground clearance and underbody skid plates during off-road driving.
Using a 100kW Mode 4 cable in direct current connected to fast public charge, three minutes of charge is enough to provide travel distance of 30km (18 miles). 24 minutes are sufficient to charge the batteries from 20% to 80%. With an 11kW Mode 3 cable for alternating current connected to a wallbox or public station, it is possible to ‘fill up’ (from 0% to 100%) in 5.5 hours.
The new Avenger is the first front-wheel drive Jeep vehicle equipped with standard selec-terrain and hill descent control. The selec-terrain system offers six modes: normal, eco, sport, snow, mud and sand.
To reduce any damage caused by low-speed impacts, the vehicle is equipped with skid plates, 360-degree cladding, and encased protected headlamps. The new model also offers traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, drowsy driver alert, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, 360° parking sensors, and 180° rear camera with drone view. Further, the electric SUV offers level two autonomous driving, which automatically adjusts speed and trajectory, and makes use of adaptive cruise control, lane centering and traffic jam assist.
Jeep has also been eager to highlight the role of its Polish facility in bringing the electric Avenger to market. Erected 1975, the Tychy facility occupies an area of more than 2.4 million m2, with one car rolling off the assembly lines every 50 seconds on average.
