In this week’s post:
- Wait! There’s a cheap Jeep Renegade EV coming?
- Still holding off on pushing political themes?
The first question comes from a Jeep fan who was surprised about the Jeep Renegade EV announcement.
Q (AskNathan@TFL.com) RE: Jeep Renegade EV?
Hi Nathan!
And now my third question! I promise it’s my last one. For now (LOL!) I am very surprised to see the stuff about the Jeep Renegade EV. You guys bought the older model a few months ago and I like watching the videos with it. So far I am surprised with how capable it has been all over the place. It makes me think about getting one for my lady.
So can you tell me anything about the Jeep Renegade EV? Like more than it’s cheap and stuff. So no more gas Renegades?
Thanks again,
– J. Lue Los Alamos
A: Thanks for the question!
There are a lot of unanswered questions regarding the Jeep Renegade EV. Not just the EV, but other Jeep Renegades as well. Jeep’s new head honcho Carlos Tavares, indicated that more electrification was coming, and hinted about the Renegade during the ‘24 EJS. Recently, at an investor day event at the Stellantis headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI – they stated that a Renegade EV was on the docket. Not only that, but it seems that they let slip that this EV’s drivetrain was one of the variants of the next Renegade.
This could indicate what many of us were expecting, a 4xe/PHEV version of the Jeep Renegade. Considering the clamor to re-embrace hybrids and PHEVs, this makes sense. In addition, they have been building a PHEV Renegade in Europe for some time. It seems logical that, if Stellantis hopes to take on the big boys, they need more variety on the lower (“affordable“) end.
Jeep is saying the quiet part out loud.
In the United States, Stellantis (Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat) are in trouble. They have burned threw what few profits Jeep and Ram are producing to bandage slumping sales. In addition, Jeep’s affordability is considered a joke. What once was a beacon of light for the middle class, has become a supplier for the rich. Many of their models START at over $60,000. I think that’s starting to hurt their sales – a lot. They KNOW it’s time to make Jeeps less expensive.
Re-Enter the “affordable” Jeep.
This brings me back to the re-introduction of the Jeep Renegade. It’s quite possible that there will be more than one platform, with matchings (or similar) sheet metal on top. Stellantis already has several platforms and batteries to pick through. They might go with something as small as the Citronen E-C3 (pictured above), which has a tiny 29.2 kWh battery, or the new Fiat 500e’s 42 kWh battery. There are more options, but (I think) less likely, as they come from more expensive platforms – like the 54 kWh battery used in the (overseas-only) Jeep Avenger.
At best, their options will still be on the slower side for charging (about 100 kW using 400w architecture), and I think a range of 200 + miles is what they are aiming for. If they could pull of a dual-motor/AWD EV that gets 200+ miles range, WITH a heat pump, that charges at 100 kW – and costs under $25,000… it will be impressive indeed.
In addition, if they manage to bring the PHEV tech to the United States for the next Renegade – it would be a win-win.
We will keep an eye on this story too!
— N
The last question revolves around my…politics?
Ugh…not again.
Q: (Via: AskNathan@TFL.com) RE: Still chickening out of politics?
Natedogg
Now that you’re leaving TFL, can’t you be even a little political? I want to know where you stand on things because I think that gives us viewers a idea about what you are like in real life. Like when you keep saying that you are the cheap guy at TF L. Is that because you grew up in the system or are you a Christian soul who wants the poor to have a good car? Do you like trucks because you’re a country boy at heart or do you just pretend?
How do I know that your opinion lines up with mine? You have nice and mean things to say about electric cars and trucks. Some times you dislike them and other times you don’t. If I knew where you stood it would be easier for me to follow what you do. Like deriving nothing but used trucks, you were like my old man. He’s a red state 100 percent redneck. But then you get a electric car for your kid like my tree huggin brother in Oregon. I don’t get it.
I notice that Roman starts to talk politics and then you or Tommy make him back off. It’s like you are deliberately trying to avoid it. Now you’re moving to LA and it makes even less sense because the guys all say you’re all about big off road trucks. California? Trucks?
Who you care about and who you vote for is important to us viewers. Explain this!
– OMG Cletus
A: That’s an easy one. I hate politics, political people and politicians. All of them.
We keep all sides (including social and religious ones) out of the conversation. Sure, I get what you’re saying about having your ideals aligned with the presenter – but that only works for some. We’ve found that many viewers on our channels, and websites are thankful that we avoid the trappings of leaning one way or the other politically.
Look Cletus, you are already bombarded with politically charged social media, commercials, news and word-of-mouth. Isn’t it nice to have a bastion of quiet? A place where you can watch cars and trucks get reviewed by a devilishly handsome man like me? No bias or paid testimony pushing you one way or another?
That’s what we do.
I know, I know – I love the Ram Power Wagon, the Raptor and AT4X, yet I bought my kid a Nissan Leaf. Hell, my wife drives a MINI and I drove a Hyundai pickup. I don’t make sense on the outside. Still, if you watch what I do, other than the design of the vehicle (which is subjective) – I try to give it to you straight, what’s there and what isn’t.
I won’t change. There will be no proclamation coming from me, or anyone at TFL Studios that we have changed our stance. Yes, sometimes things leak out of us about how a governmental policy changes something in the auto industry, but that’s fact based on the available information.
I hate how so many people in the auto industry are completely polarized, thinking that they must adhere to one thing – directly influencing their job as journalists. Truly, it irritates me.
Anyway, I intend to stay as neutral as I can, while making fun of all sides.
– N
