● Jeep’s clever four-wheel-drive model will be the most capable Avenger yet, without forgetting about efficiency
Jordan Katsianis Jordan_Katsianis@autovia.co.uk
OFFICIAL
JEEP has revealed a new version of the compact Avenger SUV called the 4xe (four-by-E). It boasts a clever powertrain design that uses electric motors to both improve efficiency and unlock the maker’s famous all-wheel-drive potential.
Due to join the line-up later this year, the new Avenger 4xe will sit alongside the existing mild-hybrid and EV models, adding yet more breadth to the range.
The 4xe powertrain works by combining the car’s existing 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, one mounted on each axle. Both motors assist the petrol engine, which predominantly drives the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The hybrid system has a small lithium-ion battery, and isn’t able to be charged from the mains. Instead it’s topped up via regenerative braking, and occasionally from the petrol engine itself. Jeep has yet to confirm official efficiency or CO2 figures, which will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date.
Power is rated at 134bhp from the petrol engine, with each of the electric motors capable of producing 28bhp and, thanks to some planetary-gear wizardry on the rear axle, up to 1,900Nm of torque. This figure is not equivalent to torque as usually rated from the crank of a normal combustion engine, but it should still give the Jeep plenty of shove at low speeds.
Performance is marginally improved over the front-wheel-drive version of the Avenger, with the 4xe accelerating from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds and hitting 120mph flat out.
The all-wheel drive system is fully variable, depending on the speed and selected drive modes, and below 19mph the set-up is always locked to a 50:50 split front to rear. Between 19mph and 56mph it then turns into an active system, with power to the rear axle varied between zero and 50 per cent. Above 56mph the rear axle decouples entirely to improve efficiency at motorway speeds. There’s also an extended suite of ‘Selec-Terrain’ driver modes for the Avenger that can augment the powertrain to best suit the conditions.
