Electric off-road extravaganza! Jeep's electric future on display with Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid off-roader and ballistic Wrangler EV concepts

Jeep has teased future EV technology with the annual roll out of concepts for this year’s Moab Easter Jeep Safari that includes an electric Wrangler with a 2.0-second 0-100km/h time, and an off-road capable plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee.

This year Jeep is showing 10 concepts, including an evolution of the all-electric Wrangler Magneto concept from last year, and three 4xe plug-in hybrid concepts.

One of the main attractions will be the Magneto 2.0 that builds on the powertrain, and off-road ability, of last year’s concept.

Read More About Jeep Gladiator

Off-roading in an electric car? Jeep reveals first tailpipe emissions-free model designed to take on Tesla Model Y, MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric Is Jeep a premium brand now? 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L pricing and features revealed as seven-seat SUV heads into Volvo XC90, Lexus RX and Genesis GV80 territory 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 revealed as V8-powered off-roader to bruise Ford Bronco's ego

It now has four lithium-ion batteries distributed throughout the chassis for improved weight balance, with a combined power of 70kWh with an 800-volt system. An inverter found in race cars converts DC power to AC for the motor, but it’s the Magneto’s performance that is biggest news.

The system allows the Magneto 2.0 to output as massive 466kW of power and 1152Nm of torque. And that makes for a 0-100km/h dash time of about two seconds.

But rather than the Magneto 2.0 concept previewing a future electric Wrangler, Jeep head of exterior design, Mark Allen, said it was more about showcasing Jeep’s capabilities when it comes to electrification.

“The Magneto, to be clear, is an open door to the laboratory,” he said in a press conference. “If we do something pure electric on Wrangler, it is not going to look like that.”

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk concept features the 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain.

He added that more news on Jeep’s electric future will be revealed in due course.

“Those plans are not in place yet. I wouldn’t want to speculate too much on where we are going to go with that. The brand is, of course, going hard electric just like everybody else is. We have some surprises up our sleeves. We have to wait a bit longer before we can talk about that.”

Mr Allen reiterated that while none of this year’s concepts are headed to production, there were pieces and parts from the models that would surface down the track.

Last month Jeep revealed an electric compact SUV concept that looks like it will slot in somewhere between the discontinued (in Australia at least) Renegade and the Compass. The brand has plans to launch at least one EV into each SUV segment by 2025 when it expects its electrified vehicle sales to be about 70 per cent of all registrations.

Once concept that looks like it is ready for production is the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk PHEV concept.

The D-Coder concept showcases Jeep Performance Parts and Mopar accessories.

Based on the five-seat, 4xe plug-in hybrid version of the new-generation large SUV that launches in Australia mid-year, the concept ups the off-road capability, allowing it to adopt the Trailhawk moniker.

It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and has two electric motors, ensuring an electric driving range of about 40km.

The Grand Cherokee concept features a distinctive ‘Industrial Blue’ exterior, 4xe Lagoon Blue tow hooks, black-and-blue matte Trailhawk bonnet decal, a custom roof rack with integrated tie downs, Mopar rock rails and more and custom 20-inch Neutral Gray metallic matte wheels with 33-inch mud-terrain tires.

Other 4xe plug-in hybrid concepts this year include the Wrangler-based Jeep ’41 and the Birdcage concepts, while the Rubicon 20the Anniversary concept is based on the wild V8-powered Wrangler Rubicon 392.

The Bob concept blurs the lines between the Wrangler SUV and related Gladiator pick-up, while the Gladiator-based D-Coder concept is designed to showcase Jeep Performance Parts and Mopar accessories.