TURIN: The Jeep Renegade has been something of a surprise hit for the US manufacturer in a number of markets around the world, and a refreshed version for the 2019 model year for Europe has just been shown at the Turin motor show in Italy.
The exterior styling tweaks are subtle but noticeable, but there’s also plenty of new tech inside and a fleet of new engines being offered.
Official images show the front fascia of the new Renegade with the available LED headlights that are quite similar to those already offered with the latest Jeep Wrangler.
The individual grille slats are wider than before with slimmer chrome bezels, which definitely deliver a more aggressive look to the compact Jeep crossover. The front bumper benefits from a complete redesign, so the fog lights now seem to be bigger and are positioned in the main lower grille.
And for reasons that are probably more aesthetic than functional, the grille is now flanked by a couple of triangular air inlets.
It’s already been revealed by Jeep that eventually, every model in its lineup will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbo-four petrol, 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, and the new Renegade should get this system in the new year. And by the end of the decade, every Jeep will also be available as a plug-in hybrid.
Other engines available in the new Renegade include a 120bhp 1.0-litre petrol, and 150bhp and 180bhp versions of a 1.3-litre powerplant to deliver better performance and fuel efficiency than the current 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrols.
Interior enhancements include a larger infotainment screen to replace the current 6.5-inch unit, which absorbs the buttons and controls that surround the existing screen. The new screen is still being housed in the shaped surround, so despite being bigger it doesn’t take up any more space than the current screen and its hard buttons.
This is an important model for the American brand in Europe as it’s Jeep’s biggest-seller, and Europe is a market the FCA boss Sergio Marchionne has identified as needing better results after a poor 2017.
Europe should see the 2019 Renegade in dealerships in September, and prices are only expected to rise marginally from where they are right now. Information on specs for the US 2019 Renegade are expected in the months to come.
Keyword: Jeep reveals refreshed Renegade