Jeep’s CEO Bob Broderdorf exclusively confirmed to us that the refreshed Grand Wagoneer due later this year will introduce the company’s first-ever extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). While catching up with Broderdorf during the recent media drive event for the Wagoneer S, he clearly noted that Jeep’s first-ever EREV will come in the form of a new Grand Wagoneer variant as the model gets its mid-cycle refresh.
The Auburn Hills-based truck and SUV maker is known to be working on a new EREV vehicle. Broderdorf himself confirmed the brand’s prospective interest in the gas-electric propulsion system to us late last year during the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show. Now specific details regarding which Jeep model will get Stellantis’ new EREV propulsion have come to light.
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Here’s Why Extended-Range Electric Vehicles Make So Much Sense
EREVs provide the best of both worlds and could be the perfect stepping stone for the big transition to electric vehicles.
The Grand Wagoneer’s Use Of The Ram 1500’s Platform Makes It The Perfect Candidate
The current fourth-generation “WS” Jeep Wagoneer launched back in 2021 as a 2022 model-year vehicle, meaning it’s turning three years old this year. That makes it old enough for a mid-cycle refresh, given the average series production cycle for most cars is around six to eight years.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer
- Model
-
Wagoneer
- Engine
-
3L Hurricane I6 ICE
- Transmission
-
8-speed automatic
- Horsepower
-
420 HP @5200 RPM
- Torque
-
468 lb.-ft. @ 3500 RPM
- Driveline
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Starting Price (MSRP)
-
$62,945
- Fuel Economy
-
17/24/20 MPG
- Towing Capacity
-
6,120 lbs.
- Payload Capacity
-
1550 lbs.
It’s built and based off the current Ram 1500’s DT body-on-frame platform, making the Wagoneer the company’s first-ever full-size truck-based SUV in over 30 years. It also enables the Auburn Hills division to finally compete in the segment previously dominated by General Motors with its Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra-based SUVs, the Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade. Ford’s also been a major player with its Expedition and fancier Lincoln Navigator.
That said, the Grand Wagoneer makes it the perfect candidate to debut Stellantis’ first-ever EREV system, which is what the Ram 1500 Ramcharger utilizes. The latter is essentially a Ram 1500, but instead of the usual internal combustion engine driving the wheels, the Ram 1500 uses a conventional electric-drive system to drive the wheels, as a typical electric vehicle does.
Extended-Range Electric Vehicles Are A Unique Species
An old-school gas-powered 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 sits under the hood, but has zero connection to any of the wheels. Instead, it’s there to act as an auxiliary power unit with the sole purpose of recharging the Ramcharger’s battery pack on the fly, extending the overall driving range of the vehicle. The result is the best of both worlds, with the Ramcharger being driven by electric power, but without the drawbacks of a conventional EV. So there’s no range anxiety and fear of long charging times.
In catch-up session with Broderdorf, he spoke about how 2025 will be one of Jeep’s biggest years, with over $3.2 billion being invested in the company’s product strategy in the coming years.
“This year, we’ll see changes to the Wagoneer lineup, along with some of our new cars. So that $3.2 billion worth of new product this year, that part of the story, that includes the Grand Wagoneer. We talked about it last night, we’ll see the range-extending version come in near the end of the year, and we’ll see how this begins to complement this product.”
– Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO
The Grand Wagoneer EREV will help represent Stellantis’ and Jeep’s “Freedom of Choice” product strategy, which essentially offers customers the same models, but with different powertrain options. That way, buyers can choose the model they want and the type of propulsion system they want—whether it be conventional internal combustion power, electric power, or both (hybrid).
EREVs and plug-in hybrids are also seen as a stepping-stone for helping buyers transition to all-electric vehicles. They also help buy time for battery and charging infrastructure companies, allowing them to further develop the technologies so that they can eventually eliminate fears surrounding range anxiety and inconsistent charging infrastructure.
