Jeep dealers across Europe are getting ready for a major change when it comes to the Jeep Wrangler. Starting in 2022, the only Jeep Wrangler Europeans will be able to buy from a local Jeep dealer will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain. That also means the two-door Wrangler will no longer be an option, and getting a gasoline engine will be impossible.
Tightening Regulations
There were rumors that Jeep was about to make this move months ago, but it is finally official. The decision to go completely green in Europe has a lot to do with more intensive emissions regulations across Europe. These new policies will make it difficult, if not impossible, to get larger gasoline engines from the neighborhood Jeep dealer.
The E.U. has had emissions standards in place since the early nineties. These standards have adapted and evolved over time with the ultimate goal to improve air quality. Some cities go even further than the overarching E.U. standards, which means older vehicles and gas guzzlers are finding fewer places where they can roam free.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also making some changes at home. Starting with passenger cars and light-duty trucks for the 2023 model year, vehicle emissions are to be cut by 28.3 percent by 2026. This ambitious push isn’t going to push big engines off of your favorite Jeep dealer’s lot, but it will impact how automakers plan for the future.
The Good News And The Bad News
Let’s face it. If you’re looking for a gasoline-powered Jeep Wrangler to cruise around the old country, this news isn’t too exciting. If the idea of having to plug in your Jeep from time to time scares you, don’t move to Europe.
Of course, if you’re looking for a powerful, stylish, and fun-to-drive Jeep, the new Wrangler 4ex (“four by E”) plug-in hybrid is all that and more. Don’t let the fact that it’s a plug-in hybrid fool you. This beast is everything you expect from this popular Jeep ride.
The 4xe’s powertrain is expected to get 31 miles of electric driving range before the hybrid engine kicks in and takes over. That helps give this ride an EPA-estimated 49 mpg. The turbocharged gas engine and electric motor combine to create a net of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Needless to say, the plug-in version doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of power.
Those who pick up this new Wrangler have the choice of a variety of new colors and several top configurations. Some cool new safety features include automatic high beams, collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.
While Europeans don’t necessarily buy the number of Jeep Wranglers that get sold at your local Jeep dealership in the U.S., it’s still a viable choice for many. The fact that new models will only come as the plug-in hybrid may not be every driver’s first choice, but it will allow Jeep to keep traversing across the continent. More importantly, the Wrangler 4xe represents the future of where vehicles are going, and the future looks pretty amazing.
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