FCA is one of the slowest groups to move towards electrification. Currently, it has got just 3 cars under its umbrella which are anywhere close to electrification. Nevertheless, FCA announced the production of a Jeep Renegade Plug-in hybrid. It will be built alongside the regular Renegade and its Fiat 500X platform mate in FCA’s factory in Melfi, Italy. Jeep will start building pre-production units in 2019, and launch it in the market in early 2020.

Heart Of The Matter

This includes mild hybrids, full hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric cars. The plan was launched and envisaged by former CEO Sergio Marchionne, who passed away unexpectedly in July due to complications from surgery. His replacement, former Jeep and Ram boss Mike Manley, is expected to continue implementing the plan.

After the Wrangler Plug-in hybrid, the Renegade is the second Jeep confirmed to get a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Both are expected to launch in 2020. FCA has already designated its Toledo Machining Plant to build certain components for the Wrangler's plug-in powertrain, which seems fitting because Toledo and Jeep have been working together for many decades now.

What’s New This Time?

The compact crossover will get a slightly revised styling and a shuffled powertrain lineup. In the U.S., customers will be able opt for either a new 1.3-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 177 ponies, or a 2.4-liter, four-pot Tigershark engine. The Euro-spec Renegade will get a new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine that develops 120 horses.

Final Thoughts

Its only current electrified models are the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, the Ram 1500 eTorque mild hybrid, and the Fiat 500e electric car. The 500e is not a profitable product and is built solely to comply with California's zero-emission vehicle mandate. We’ll have to wait and watch to see whether it will be dropped or replaced.

Does the Renegade Plug-in with a new powertrain sound exciting to you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Further Reading

Read our speculative review on the 2019 Jeep Renegade.

Read our driven review on the 2015 Jeep Renegade.