Jeep Renegade and Compass PHEVs: specs and on-sale date

Plug-in hybrid versions of the Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass SUVs have been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, as the brand moves a step closer to adding PHEV technology to its range.

No timescale has been given for production, although Jeep has previously said a Renegade PHEV would go on sale in early 2020. Preparations are already underway at a factory in Italy, where the Fiat 500X is also built.

The company’s plug-in hybrid powertrain will consist of a 1.3-litre petrol engine and a rear-mounted electric motor working in tandem, producing a combined total of 237bhp.

Acceleration from 0-62mph is said to take around seven seconds, with a top speed of 81mph in electric-only mode.

The battery size hasn’t been disclosed, although an electric range of 31 miles is targeted. Less than 50g/km of CO2 will be emitted.

However, Jeep says that the main benefit of the hybrid system will be performance: with an electric motor powering the rears, all-wheel-drive will be offered. The additional torque should also aid acceleration, even in the harshest conditions.

Buyers will have the option of charging the battery using a cable, or alternatively they’ll be able to replenish its charge using the petrol engine while driving.

Inside, the instrument cluster and infotainment screen will display key information related to the hybrid powertrain.

Previously, Jeep has confirmed that it'll completely remove diesel engines from its range of vehicles over the next five years, with a range of hybrid and electric vehicles taking their place.

In all, the company is going to invest almost £8 billion in electric and hybrid vehicles in that period, with the Renegade PHEV set to arrive at about the same time as a plug-in hybrid version of the larger Wrangler.

The electrification programme will continue in the years that follow, with FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Jeep’s parent company) saying it'll have 30 models using an electrified powertrain by 2022.