It may be cute, but make no mistake – Jeep is equipping the 2015 Jeep Renegade with the greasy bits to make it an off-road-worthy crossover. The 2015 Jeep Renegade will have two engine options in the USA. Fiat’s turbocharged 160 horsepower, 1.4-liter that makes 170 lb-ft of torque can be paired to a six-speed manual transmission. The 184 hp, 2.4-liter Tigershark makes 177 lb-ft and it will be connected to a nine-speed automatic.
Jeep will offer a variety of additional engine choices for worldwide consumption, including two MultiJet II diesel engine offerings. Scuttlebutt has it that one of these small diesels may make it into a few front-drive-biased Jeeps sold in North America. That would be a boon for people who want torque. The system reconnects the 4X4 settings when low traction is detected.
Check out many additional 2015 Jeep Renegade photos (here).
There will be two 4X4 systems offered in the 2015 Jeep Renegade. Both 4X4 systems can provide up to 100 percent of available torque to the ground, through any wheel, for the best traction. These 4X4 systems can disconnect the rear end completely to achieve better mpg too. The 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk will have the new “Jeep Active Drive Low” full-time 4×4 system with a 20:1 crawl ratio.
According to Jeep – the 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk will have:
- Standard Jeep Active Drive Low (20:1 crawl ratio)
- Selec-Terrain system with exclusive Rock mode
- Increased ride height 20 mm (0.8 inches)
- Skid plates, and red front and rear tow hooks
- Unique fascias deliver 30.5 degree approach, 25.7 degree breakover and 34.3 degree departure angles
- 17-inch all-terrain tires
- Up to 205 mm (8.1 inches) of wheel articulation
- Hill-descent Control
- Up to 480 mm (19 inches) of water fording
- Up to 1,500 kg (3,300-lb.) towing capability with MultiJet II diesel engine and 907 kg (2,000-lb.) towing capability with 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, with available tow package” – – Jeep
“The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade expands the brand’s product portfolio and targets the rapidly expanding small SUV segment around the globe with benchmark levels of efficiency and driving dynamics, while at the same time delivering best-in-class 4×4 capability that customers expect from Jeep,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Renegade symbolizes the brand’s renowned American design, ingenuity and innovation, marking the Jeep brand’s first entry into the small SUV segment in more than 100 markets around the globe.”
The 2015 Jeep Renegade has a similar footprint to the KIA Soul, Buick Encore and Nissan Juke – all of which will compete in a similar bracket the 2015 Jeep Renegade resides in. The 2015 Jeep Renegade has a 101.2-inch wheelbase, 118.6 cubic feet of interior volume with 12.4 cubic feet of storage when the second row is up, and 30.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded flat. Buyers can choose between a 60/40 split or 40/20/40 with a cargo pass-through.
Jeep says the Jeep Renegade can hold a five-foot ladder when the front seat is folded flat.
The 2015 Jeep Renegade will have seven airbags which include seat-mounted and side-curtain airbags. Forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning will be available optionally. Heated seats, steering wheel and UConnect are available. A 5 and/or 6.5-inch touch-screen will be available along with an available seven-inch TFT display in the instrument cluster.
The 2015 Jeep Renegade will have two available “My Sky” open-air roof systems. The basic MY Sky roof system has two manually removable roof segments that can be stored in the back. These roof panels are made out of a honeycomb/fiberglass/polyurethane compound which makes the panels strong and lightweight. The second My Sky system has a power tilt and slide option.
The 2015 Jeep Renegade will be built alongside its platform-mate the Fiat 500X in Melfi, Italy. This is the first Jeep to be built exclusively outside of North America – but with its close manufacturing ties to the FIAT 500L/500X, it makes sense. Production dates and prices have yet to be announced.
Here’s one of our videos featuring the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk!
