Front-drive 2024 Avenger not the endgame for Jeep's electric car

The 2024 Avenger will be the first and only Jeep Australia model to not offer an all-wheel-drive variant in history, but that might not remain the case for long.

As a reminder, the Avenger is Jeep Australia's first all-electric model, and features a 115kW/260Nm electric motor that drives only the front wheels.

Even the Renegade baby SUV that launched back in 2015 was offered in top-spec Trailhawk guise with all-wheel-drive traction.

While Jeep Australia would not be drawn on the future of the Avenger line-up, the Jeep Avenger 4x4 Concept from the 2022 Paris Motor Show could pave the way forward for the new model.

Details are scarce for the 4x4 Concept, but – given its name – it obviously adds another driven axle to the Avenger formula.

Whether this is thanks to another electric motor to drive the rear axle is unknown, as the 4X4 Concept also wears 4xe badging indicating a plug-in hybrid like the 4xe versions of the Grand Cherokee and Compass.

If the latter turns out to be true, the Avenger might make use of the 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine available with the model's petrol variant in certain markets, but with added electrification to boost performance.

While the petrol Avenger isn't confirmed for Australia, its engine is borrowed from fellow Stellantis brands Peugeot and Citroen, and produces 74kW while also being paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Regardless, the Avenger 4x4 Concept also boasts a number of changes – aside from drivetrain layout – designed to make it a more capable off-roader.

Featuring a widened body to accommodate more track width and all-terrain tyres, as well as reworked bumpers and a 200mm increase to ride height to improve approach, breakover and departure angles, the 4x4 Concept looks much more bush-ready than the production version of the Avenger.

It also forgoes the usual roof rails in favour of a belt system to save weight, while also sporting exposed blue-coloured recovery hooks and a matte bonnet decal to reduce glare.

The production version however, will likely drop the wilder elements of the concept.

In revealing the Avenger 4x4 Concept at last year's Paris Motor Show, Jeep CEO Christian Meunier said the show car pushes its small SUV into familiar territory for the brand.

"The Avenger has been designed as a Jeep vehicle from the outset, and the all-electric 4x2 model already offers some of the best-in-class capabilities that identify the Jeep brand," he said.

"But we couldn't help but wonder, what would happen if we injected the Jeep brand's four-wheel drive electrified capabilities into a compact package, while retaining the brand's unique design language, capability and personality?"