New Images of the Jeep Wrangler Hybrid During Its Tests

One of the elusive prototypes of the future Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid has been hunted during road tests in the Detroit metropolitan area. This test unit of the future PHEV version of the iconic off-roader still sports some camouflage and a few interim items.

The latest great novelty in the Jeep Wrangler range is the addition of the new V6 3.0 EcoDiesel engine, a new mechanical version fueled by diesel that will be available in different variants of the range on both sides of the Atlantic. However, the technical novelties of the new JL generation of the Wrangler do not end here, Jeep Wrangler led headlights are the best lighting systems for offroad, since the brand is finalizing the development of new versions and in this case a first for the range, since it is the first plug-in hybrid version of the history of the popular off-road vehicle.



This is one of the few times we've seen a test drive of the new Jeep Wrangler PHEV, again based on a copy of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the 4-door long wheelbase variant of the off-roader. The last time we could see a prototype of this new electrified variant was last March and since that sighting it does not seem that the prototypes used during the testing phase have evolved much. What's more, this specimen - featured in the American publication PickupTruckTalk - has an even more provisional appearance than the one sighted last spring.

This prototype has some areas covered with black vinyl, as is the case of the right front wing, where the charging socket is located. Unlike the new Jeep Compass and Renegade hybrids, which mount it in the rear area.

The arrival of this new electrified version was confirmed a long time ago by the brand, although at the moment they have not revealed too many technical details, except that it will have some elements manufactured at home and that do not belong to any external supplier. This makes us think that the hybrid system of the future Wrangler PHEV will be based on the same one used by the Chrysler Pacifica, with the usual 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar that we can find in several models of the group, although in this case it works in the Atkinson cycle. This 6-cylinder block will be associated with a small electric motor and according to the statements of officials of the American firm, the combined total will be "around 263 hp."

In addition to the front loading socket, this Jeep Wrangler Unlimited prototype has some provisional elements, such as the front optics, which belong to the European version of the model even though it is being tested in North America. At the aesthetic level we should not find differences with respect to any other version of the off-road.