2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Wrangler 4xe
After years of speculation today Jeep finally took the wraps off the new Grand Wagoneer. Yes, it’s still officially a “concept” and many of the specs have yet to be revealed but make no mistake, this is what the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will look like. At the same time, Jeep decided to provide a full tech dump on the new Wrangler 4xe—the company’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle. Here’s everything we know so far about both vehicles—plus a little speculation about future models.
2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept
The world has been speculating about the arrival of a new fullsize Wagoneer for more than half a decade. But today we finally get our first look at the design of the all-new 2021 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer—at least in close-to-production “concept” form. Technical details are still scarce but there’s a lot we can see from this concept.
From what we can speculate, the Wagoneer will be the lower-level trim of this vehicle and will compete with vehicles like the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban. The Grand Wagoneer will be a luxury powerhouse and take on the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Denali and others. Both models will likely offer two wheelbase options.
This new Grand Wagoneer exterior design is generally handsome but it’s also fairly conservative. The original 1966-1991 Wagoneer really stood from other utility wagons at the time. It was totally unique. This new one doesn’t exactly change the paradigm. The outside shape is very similar to other fullsize SUVs.
The nose is clearly inspired by the Grand Cherokee—and that’s no bad thing. But there are subtleties that do recall the original. For example, there is a slight hood gap/scoop effect where the “Wagoneer” nameplate is fitted to the grill that looks a bit like the old model. And from some angles it looks like the top part of the grill juts forward slightly as an homage to the old “rhino” grill.
The trapezoidal wheel arches also echo the original Wagoneer as does the expansive glass greenhouse and large rear window. But there’s little in this overall exterior design that harkens back to the original, and that’s too bad. It would have been neat to see some woodgrain on the sides of this SUV—a modern take on the original. Perhaps we’ll see that on a future model.
Regardless, the black window surround treatments and the concept’s full-pane glass roof are both nicely done. The concept is wearing huge 24-inch wheels. They look nice but are a little too “street’ for our tastes. Perhaps a production Wagoneer wearing more trail friendly tires will look a bit more purposeful.
Jeep wants to make one thing very clear when it comes to this reborn icon—it’s going for upscale materials, craftsmanship and serious comfort. Swing open the door to the concept and you can see lots of woodgrain and brushed metal.
There’s also screens—lots of screens. Forty-four inches of screen up front to be exact—a 12.3-inch display in front of the driver, a 12.1 horizontal touchscreen in the center stack of the dash, a 10.25-inch horizontal display to control comfort functions like HVAC and finally a 10.25-inch passenger display.
That last one is cool because it’s the first front seat passenger infotainment screen. So, if that person wants to key-in navigation information or search for something in the menus, it should be much easier.
There are some very nice touches inside too like the Stop/Start button perched in a metal surround and the “Wagoneer” etched into the woodgrain that stretches across to the passenger side of the cabin. That separate screen just for the comfort controls can articulate and fold away to reveal a large cubby.
The interior designers emphasized comfort when it comes to the seats too. These richly padded thrones are said to take inspiration from the 1980s Grand Wagoneers and as such, should be some of the softest on the market. And Jeep says the Wagoneer will have class-leading interior volume.
The original ’66-’91 Wagoneer was based upon the Jeep Gladiator’s pickup truck chassis. And similarly, the new fullsize Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will use the chassis from the Ram 1500. There will be two wheelbase options, and those will likely echo those used by GM—both offering three rows of seating but the longer wheelbase delivering a bit more cargo volume.
However, the Ram 1500’s chassis won’t be a complete carry-over to the Wagoneer. A coil-spring IFS setup will ride up front. But in the rear, the big Jeep will use a new IRS. And Jeep makes it clear that the company’s Quadra-Lift air suspension will be on the options list. The IRS, Jeep says, will provide for a spacious third row. And that’s because the floor back there doesn’t need to accommodate the articulation of a solid axle.
This is a luxury vehicle. Jeep says Wagoneers will start around $60,000 and fully loaded Grand Wagoneer models could easily reach six figures. Jeep says they are going after premium brands like Cadillac and Range Rover with their top models. The Grand Wagoneer Concept is a plug-in hybrid, so we’d expect at least one production Wagoneer model to be electrified with plug-in capability. The rest of the lineup will probably include V6 and V8 powertrains too.
Jeep says there will be three 4WD systems. We’re hoping one of those will include a higher level of off-road capability. Perhaps Jeep will borrow some components from the Ram Rebel’s chassis and apply it here with a slightly taller suspension with better dampers, larger and more aggressive tires and an electronic locking rear differential. It could be called the Wagoneer Trailhawk. Let’s hope a ‘hawk makes it to the options list for production.
2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
The new 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe promises an experience some of us have long yearned for—completely silent slow-speed four wheeling. Okay, yes, we dig big motors and a throaty exhaust as much as anyone. But on a trail like the famed Rubicon deep in the woods, the idea of crawling along the rocks without a bunch of extra noise coming from under the hood is very appealing. We’ll just have to find a new way to keep our burritos warm.
Jeep says the 4xe plug-in hybrid allows for an electric-only range of around 25 miles on the pavement and even more on the trail. The option can be applied to a four-door Sahara or Rubicon as well as a specific 4xe trim. And don’t think the 4xe is merely a powertrain designed to save some fuel—it also packs more potency than anything in the lineup.
Under the hood is Jeep’s 270 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with the e-torque belt-starter generator and electric motor paired to the familiar ZF 8-speed automatic. But instead of a torque convertor, the transmission has a pair of clutches and an electric traction motor delivering 134 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.
One clutch engages or disengages electric-only drive. When that clutch is open, power from the gas engine and electric motors flow together. The second clutch is mounted behind the e-motor and manages engagement with the transmission.
Electrical juice comes from a liquid-cooled 400-volt, 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with 96 individual cells mounted under the rear seat in an aluminum case.
That seat flips forward to access the battery and cargo volume takes a small hit losing 4 cu-ft of space behind the seat. The pack has a dedicated heated and cooling circuit. Jeep says the 4xe delivers 375 hp at 5,250 rpm and 470 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm when gas and electric are working together. And that helps it to rocket from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds flat. That’s very quick.
There are three “E-Selec” modes for the system. Hybrid mode will allow the Jeep to run on solely battery power if outside conditions decide that it’s most efficient. But in this mode, it’s more likely to blend electrical energy and internal combustion power.
Jeep says, “during high speed operation near the limits of electric power capacity, Hybrid mode is likely to use the engine while Electric Mode will not.” Electric mode uses up all the electricity first and multiple systems are modified to keep the internal combustion engine off.
Jeep says the combustion engine will start again during wide-open-throttle or to warm the cabin when it’s very cold outside. And when the battery reaches a minimum state of charge, it will revert back to Hybrid mode. But the mode we’re most excited to try is eSave. That last one will conserve all the electric power in the battery until you want to use it. And that means it can be deployed on the trail for a quiet and instantly torque-rich trail experience.
Standard brake regen delivers .25g of deceleration and helps recharge the battery pack when coasting but push the Max Regen button on the dash and the system will aggressively push even more electrons back into the battery from the electric motor. It should allow for one pedal driving— just lift your foot from the throttle and the drag from the regen will be enough to slow the Jeep without touching the brakes.
The charge port for the 4xe is located on the left side fender cowl and Jeep includes a 120v level one charger. A level II (240v) charger can be purchased through Mopar to cut charging times. The 4Xe mercifully retains the use of analog gauges but the center TFT screens is information dense and provides new functions like an efficiency coach.
The 4xe system will be rated at an estimated 50 MPGe and provides around 400 miles of range. That means a road trip from say Los Angeles to Phoenix can happen on one tank and that’s pretty amazing for a Wrangler. This powertrain adds about 500 pounds more to the curb weight of, say a conventional 3.6-liter V6 model. Jeep says the 4xe models have a payload of 1280 pounds, which is quite a bit higher than other Wranglers. The company also says this will be one of the most comfortable-riding Wranglers too.
The 4xe and 4xe Sahara models will use Dana 44 front and rear axles from the Gladiator and the 4xe Rubicon has normal Rubicon axles. The specific 4xe trim as well as 4xe Sahara models use the normally optional Sahara Selec-Trac all-wheel drive transfer case with 2.72:1 low range as standard. The Rubicon retains its 4:1-geared transfer case along with 10.8 inches of ground clearance.
Approach and departure as well as breakover angles are basically unchanged. Jeep says the 4xe can handle 30 inches of water fording and that off-roading is generally more precise and controlled. And these rigs will all have an off-road cruise control of sorts called Speed Control which has 8 speed selections from 1-5 mph.
The Wrangler 4xe production will begin in December with vehicles arriving at dealerships in early 2021. We can’t wait to see how it performs on the trail. And it’s probably a safe bet that this sweet plug-in powertrain will be available on Gladiators sometime soon too.
48 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Rear Seat Entertainment
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