The entry model incorporates a new turbo engine, more technology, safety and a renewed look.

At the beginning of the year, the half-life restyling of the Jeep Renegade was launched regionally and now it is the turn of its premiere in the national market. The North American firm’s entry-level model made its debut in Chile in 2016 and since then more than nine thousand units have been sold, becoming the firm’s most successful model with almost 40% of the units delivered by Jeep in Chile.

“Jeep is an iconic brand in Chile, with an excellent image among our customers. Since we launched the Renegade in the domestic market, the response from customers has been spectacular, especially those looking for a way to be part of the Jeep family. It’s our entry model and it has our core brand values ​​to be a real Jeep. It’s true that it’s a simple pull, and most likely it can’t climb of rock, but its advanced Control+ traction system allows it to have more than adequate off-road behavior and well above its competitors”, he underlined in the presentation. Derek Fox, brand manager, represented in Chile by Astara.

The Jeep Renegade, which is manufactured in Brazil’s Pernambuco plant, continues to be built on the FCA Small Wide 4×4 platform, the same used by the RAM 1000 and future regional truck, and retains its unchanged measurements: 4.23o mm long, 2.02o mm wide and 1,690 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,570 mm. For its part, its trunk has a capacity of 273 liters and its angles are 22° (attack), 22° (ventral) and 31° (exit), and a clearance height of 212 mm, which allow it to have better off-road driving. routes.

Although the aesthetic changes are not profound, there is an update to its image, just and necessary after more than six years on the market. Its quadriform body receives a slight redesign in its classic seven-slot grille, the headlights – now full LED – are modified, while the front and rear bumpers are new and are inspired by those of the Compass and Commander. On the side, the new design of the 17″ and 18″ rims (depending on the version) stands out, while behind the headlights -also full LED- with the X inherited from the mythical Willys.

Inside, its new multifunction steering wheel stands out, the incorporation of a digital dashboard and a redesign of the central console, where the UConnect system stands out through the touch screen (7 or 8.4 inches, depending on the version), with better definition and greater processing capacity and with wireless connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, in addition to having three USB connectors (two type A and one C).

However, the biggest change is to its mechanics, as the Renegade removes the old aspirated 1.8 eTorq block, to make way for the new T270 block. It is a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine that develops 173 hp and has a torque of 270 Nm, which is 33% more powerful and with 46% more torque than the outgoing block. It is associated exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission with simple traction and has an independent suspension of the McPherson type at the front and multi-link at the rear. According to the brand, it has an approved combined consumption of 13.2 km/l.

The new Jeep Renegade is available in three Sport, Longitude and Longitude X equipment versions. As standard, the model is equipped with cruise control, a central armrest, roof bars, alloy wheels (17 ″ in Sport and 18″ in intermediate and superior versions). Front and rear LED headlights, circular LED daytime running lights, reversing camera, six airbags, autonomous emergency braking and Control+ traction system. The Longitude version adds air conditioning, leather upholstery, wireless charger, remote and button start, in addition to the knee airbag and adds involuntary lane departure warning, collision warning front, the fatigue detector and the reading of road signs. For its part, the Jeep Renegade Longitude X adds the double-glazed panoramic roof, the blind spot detector and the parking assistant.

The brand plans to sell 1,200 units per year, of which the mix should be 50% for the mid-range variant, 30% for the Sport and 20% of sales for the high-end variant.

The non-bonus prices ($2,000,000 in funding and branding) for the new Jeep Renegade are:

Jeep Renegade Sport: $22,990,000

Jeep Renegade Longitude: $24,990,000

Jeep Renegade Longitude X: $26,490,000

Source: Latercera