Renegade has Jeep brimming with confidence
The new car actually marks a series of firsts in the company’s history: The Renegade is Jeep’s first entry into the small SUV segment; it is also the first vehicle from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to be jointly developed by Italian and US engineers; and it is the first Jeep to be built in Europe but sold in the US.
But those aren’t the Jeep Renegade’s only firsts. It is also the first compact SUV to feature a nine-speed transmission, it is the first in its segment to have rear-axle disconnect and the first to offer the ‘My Sky’ sunroof that is supposed to give occupants a true open-air driving experience.
On top of all that, it is also the first in its segment to have a 7in full-colour, multi-view display in its instrument binnacle.
Built in Italy at the rejuvenated Sata plant in Melfi, the Renegade will be sold in 100 markets globally and we are told the designers were challenged to come up with a look that would symbolise Jeep’s US heritage while appealing to youthful and adventurous car buyers.
FCA says what they came up with is a look “that is both rugged and tough, thanks to the brand’s classic seven-slot grille, round headlamps, and trapezoidal wheel arches styling cues, but also fresh, unaggressive, and utterly distinctive”.
It wasn’t enough that the Renegade looked like a Jeep, however — it also had to be a proper Jeep, which means combining best-in-class off-road ability and fabled ‘Trail Rated’ status with world-class on-road driving dynamics and a quiet, comfortable ride.
Inside, functional details crafted from high-quality materials in innovative colours provide the surprise-and-delight for customers, while best-in-class interior space and clever, functional storage areas ensure the Renegade is practical too.
There is also an array of advanced safety features including Forward Collision Warning Plus with Crash Mitigation which automatically prevents or reduces the impact in low-speed shunts; ParkSense Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist that automatically parks the car; LaneSense, Lane Departure Warning Plus; and Adaptive Cruise Control.
There are six powertrain combinations as well, each of which offers a combination of efficiency and performance. There are two MultiAir II petrol engines, a pair of MultiJet II turbo diesels, and the 1.6-litre eTorque petrol.
There are also five- and six-speed manual gearboxes, the Dual Dry Clutch Transmission, and the first-in-class nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Available with two- or four-wheel drive, the Renegade boasts two new and advanced 4x4 systems: Jeep Active Drive and Jeep Active Drive Low.
The rear-axle disconnect system seamlessly switches between two- and four-wheel-drive to guarantee optimal traction while at the same time reducing the energy required and therefore fuel consumption when 4x4 capability isn’t needed.
Jeep Active Drive and Active Drive Low are controlled by the Jeep Selec-Terrain control dial, which gives the driver four settings (five on the Trailhawk version) to optimise performance on any surface.
Combined with independent suspension that will give a maximum wheel articulation of up to 205mm and ground clearance of up to 210mm on the Trailhawk model, the Jeep Renegade is said to set new standards of 4x4 capability in the small SUV segment.
The Jeep Renegade range has four trim levels in Ireland: Sport, Longitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with the Sport offering an exceptionally high level of specification for an entry-level model.
Standard equipment includes a 5in uConnect touchscreen with a DAB radio and Bluetooth plus auxiliary and USB connectors, a 3.5in Electronic Vehicle Information Centre, air conditioning, electric parking brake, and 16in aluminium wheels.
The Longitude version builds on the Sport specification by offering integrated satellite navigation, cruise control, ambient LED lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and satellite, and 17in alloy wheels as standard, while also offering four-wheel drive as an option.
The Limited tops the range in terms of technological equipment and has 18in aluminium wheels, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, the segment-leading 7in colour instrument cluster, the 6.5in uConnect touchscreen with voice-operated satellite navigation and 3D mapping, Bluetooth, rear privacy glass, rear parking sensors, and a silver finish on the roof rails, door mirrors, and front grille.
The Trailhawk is the model with the most ability off-road thanks to the Jeep Active Drive Low and Selec-Terrain system with Hill Descent Control and Rock Mode.
It stands out as being the most capable Renegade thanks to a ride height that’s raised by 30mm compared to the 4x2 model, chunky mud and snow tyres, unique front and rear facias to improve approach and departure angles, along with front suspension and transmission skid plates plus transfer case and fuel tank skid plate shields and a tow hook.
The Trailhawk is the only Renegade to come with the 170hp version of the 2.0-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel combined with the nine-speed automatic transmission.
We will be testing the new Renegade here soon, so watch this space.
