Brian Joss –
The new Jeep Renegade which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March and at the New York International Auto Show in April has made its debut in South Africa and will be a contender in the small Sport-Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment.
The Jeep Renegade, the first Fiat Chrysler Automobiles vehicle to be jointly developed by Italian and American designers and engineers and the first model in the brand’s history to be built in Italy, at the refurbished SATA plant in Melfi.
Jeep Renegade is a model packed with a strong stylistic personality. Agile and spacious, it is perfect for errands across town and boasts best-in-class interior roominess and excellent on-road driving dynamics., Chrysler said.
In South Africa, the new Jeep Renegade will be available initially with the Limited trim levels – Longitude, and Trailhawk (September arrival) – and the fuel-efficient 1.4l MultiAir powertrain with manual transmission. Sales of the new model will start this month.
From the start, Jeep designers knew the Renegade would need to deliver best-in-class capability with city-sized proportions while at the same time enhancing versatility, manoeuvrability and style. Additionally, designers were tasked to create an all-new SUV that would symbolize the Jeep brand’s renowned American design, as it would mark the brand’s first entry into the Small SUV segment in more than 100 markets around the globe. Renegade had to offer the open-air freedom that dates back to its 1941 roots, with the Jeep Willys MB, and still present today with the current Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler said.
The result is a vehicle that builds on the Jeep Wrangler’s powerful stance, and features a fresh, all-new exterior styling that will certainly appeal to youthful and adventurous customers who recognise themselves in the well-known Jeep design inspired by the values of freedom and adventure, according to Chrysler. The vehicle’s exterior has a purposeful look with rugged body forms and aggressive wheel-to-body proportionand features round headlights, signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches.
The interior features a modern, refined look, in line with the brand’s DNA and boasts a distinctive, fresh form language, which Jeep designers have titled “Tek-Tonic.”
The Jeep Renegade will initially be powered by a fuel-efficient 103 kW 1.4l MultiAir II Turbo petrol engine with Stop&Start featuring a six-speed manual transmission and 4×2 configuration.
Infotainment and safety
Jeep Renegade offers advanced technology features and includes the UConnect system with 5” (a standard feature on all trim levels) or 6.5″ touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth with hands-free phone. The Jeep Renegade Limited features a 7” colour instrument cluster multiview display, the largest in the segment.
Safety include six standard airbags, ESC with Electronic Rollover Mitigation (ERM), Parkview rear camera, Forward Collision Warning-Plus, LaneSense Departure Warning-Plus and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Jeep Renegade builds on the Wrangler’s powerful stance, rugged body forms and aggressive proportions that include best-in-class approach and departure angles purposely designed to deliver best-in-class capability.
The new Jeep Renegade Limited is available with three interior trim choices: Black Premium fabric with Metal Diamond bezel accents, Black Leather (optional) with Metal Diamond bezel accents and Beige stitching and two-tone Bark Brown/Ski Grey Leather interiors (optional) with Anodized Orange bezel accents and stitching.
Jeep Renegade models equipped with the 103 kW 1.4l MultiAir Turbo feature a six-speed manual transmission with 6.68 ratio spread and a 4.438 final-drive ratio for fuel efficiency at faster speeds.
This six-speed state-of-the-art manual transmission is built and designed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and belongs to a new group of compact transverse, three-shaft transmissions.
The petrol engine offering includes the 103 kW 1.4l MultiAir II Turbo engine with Stop and Start paired to a six-speed manual transmission.
The 1.4l Turbo-MultiAir II engine is the smaller displacement variant from Fiat Chrysler new family of four-cylinder petrol engines.
The 1.4l MultiAir II Turbo engine is designed to take full advantage of the exclusive MultiAir valve train system developed by Fiat Powertrain and includes a host of new engine components designed for reduced friction to enhance the performance and fuel efficiency of Jeep’s first offering in the Small sport utility marketplace.
The 1.4l MultiAir II Turbo produces a maximum of 103 kW at 5 500 r/min and torque of 230 Nm at 1 750 r/min in combination with the six-speed manual transmission. The 1.4l MultiAir II engine also incorporates “Stop/Start” technology.
Jeep Renegade offers a range of communication, entertainment and navigation features and the segment’s largest full-colour instrument cluster. Its thoughtful, state-of-the-art, high-tech features and amenities are intuitive, easy-to-use and provide on-board comfort and infotainment.
Pricing on the Jeep Renegade 1.4L Limited starts at R375 990 and includes a standard three- year / 100 000 km warranty and class leading six year / 100 000 km maintenance plan.
