by Matt Konkle
Torque Managing Editor
For years, Jeep has offered the Recon nameplate strictly for spinoff editions or packages on its popular Wrangler lineup.
Now, that Recon identity is morphing into a totally different segment for the brand.
Electrification.
Jeep on Thursday announced major steps towards an all-electric future with the debut of two new vehicles for the North American market — the Wrangler-inspired Jeep Recon and luxury mid-size Wagoneer S. Additionally, the automaker unveiled a smaller all-electric Jeep Avenger that it plans to offer strictly for the European market.
“Our goal is very clear: Become the global leader in SUV electrification,” said Jeep CEO Christian Meunier.
The announcement came during a featured event called Jeep 4xe day and marked the brand’s most detailed and aggressive plans to date toward an electrification future. The company wants electrified vehicles across its entire model lineup by 2025, and half of its North American sales from these vehicles by 2030.
“Driven by the success of our electrified 4xe portfolio in North America and Europe, we are designing and developing the most capable and sustainable Jeep SUVs to date, on our path to becoming the leading zero-emission SUV brand in the world,” Meunier said. “This is a forward-thinking strategy to help ensure millions of Jeep fans around the world continue to have a planet to explore, embrace and protect. Electrification is great for our brand, making it even more capable, exciting, sustainable and fun.”
The whisper quiet Recon will be built on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, which the automaker announced last year as part of a new building strategy for its electrified vehicles. In all, the company plans four different platforms — small, medium, large and STLA Frame in the coming years. Small and medium will mostly handle electrified cars, while the STLA Frame is for body-on-frame Ram trucks. The large platform is meant for “all-wheel drive performance and muscle cars,” Stellantis said.
While not an all-electric Wrangler, which many automotive experts expected to see in Thursday’s announcement, the automaker said Recon will be more like a 'brother' to the brand’s longstanding popular nameplate.
It debuted Thursday with removable doors and squared off-fenders, as well as retractable powertop roof and removable rear side glass windows. Additionally, Jeep said the vehicle will feature a Selec-Terrain traction system, lockable axles, underbody skid plate protection, tow hook recovery points and beefy off-road tires.
Jeep did not reveal performance expectations like mileage per charge or horsepower during Thursday’s event, but said it does expect Wrangler-like on- and off-road ability.
“The all-new, all-electric Jeep Recon has the capability to cross the mighty Rubicon Trail, one of the most challenging off-road trails in the U.S., and reach the end of the trail with enough range to drive back to town and recharge,” Meunier said.
And, for anyone worried about Recon displacing its 'brother', Jeep made a point to say the Wrangler isn’t disappearing anytime soon.
"To make it clear," Meunier said, "The Wrangler stays the Wrangler, the icon of the brand. That's very clear. The best of the best of the best is the Wrangler; it's the most capable."
Jeep said it expects to begin North American Recon production in 2024, and interested customers can begin reserving the vehicle in early 2023. Recon will be available in markets around the world, the brand said.
Besides Recon, Jeep also introduced an all-electric Wagoneer S and European-only Avenger electrified vehicle.
Wagoneer S is expected to expand Jeep’s presence in the mid-sized premium SUV segment and looks to have a sleeker and more aerodynamic design than the current gasoline-powered Wagoneer. Jeep said the electrified Wagoneer S will begin production in 2024 and offer a 400-mile range per charge, 600 horsepower and a 0-60 miles-per-hour time of about 3.5 seconds.
The Avenger, which is smaller than the brand’s entry-level Jeep Renegade, will arrive in European showrooms in early 2023, according to the company.
Jeep currently offers plug-in hybrid electric versions of its Wrangler and Grand Cherokee in the North American market. Both can travel in all-electric mode before an internal combustion engine is needed to power the vehicles. Additionally, the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid is currently the top-selling PHEV in North America, Jeep said.
“Today we shared only a glimpse of our new portfolio of all-electric SUVs, providing tangible evidence of what is to come in the next 24 months and why we say that 4xe is the new 4x4,” said Meunier. “This powerful combination of Jeep design, legendary 4x4 capability and electrification will reshape the SUV market, allowing more customers in more countries and in more segments to join us on our path toward Zero Emission Freedom.”
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