Jeep’s newest SUV will share parts with the Peugeot e-2008 and may be called the ‘Jeepster’
- Sits below Renegade in Jeep lineup
- Petrol and fully-electric powertrains
- Due to be revealed in October 2022
Jeep is due to unveil its first-ever all-electric model later this year, in the form of a compact SUV to rival the likes of the new Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric. Although it is yet to be confirmed, it’s rumoured this new model will simply be named the ‘Jeepster’; fans of Marc Bolan should not get too excited, however, as this is a reference to the Willys-Overland Jeepster model of the 1940s and ‘50s.
Candid photographs released by Jeep give us the best idea yet of what this new model will look like. Of course, the baby Jeep will wear the brand’s iconic slatted grille; however, here it looks to be closed off to benefit aerodynamics. We can also see the ‘Jeepster’ will adopt a rectangular headlight design, similar to that seen on the larger Jeep Cherokee.
Like all Jeep models, the crossover is set to incorporate chunky SUV styling with plenty of off-road inspired design elements. Make no mistake, however, this new car will not be a rough-and-tough off-roader like the Jeep Wrangler; the ‘Jeepster’ will be the smallest model in the Jeep range and will be pitched as a lifestyle-oriented soft-roader like the Jeep Renegade.
This is highlighted by the fact that if you peel back the car’s rugged exterior, the new model will share the majority of its parts with the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka-e. Just like those cars, the ‘Jeepster’ will use a single 123bhp electric motor, drawing power from a 50kWh battery. Consequently, it will likely only be offered with front-wheel-drive from launch; regardless, this setup should still get the tiny SUV from 0-62mph in a nippy nine seconds and offer around 200 miles of range on a single charge.
The smallest Jeep won’t totally alienate those not ready for an electric car, however, as recent spy photographs suggest it will also be offered with a petrol engine. This will likely come in the form of the 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit found in the regular Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall Mokka. Two power outputs are currently offered – 99bhp and 128bhp – however it's unclear at this stage whether the Jeep will get both.
Jeep has confirmed that the new car will be fully unveiled in October at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, before it goes on sale in 2023. We expect the ‘Jeepster’ to start from around £25,000 for a model with a petrol engine – all-electric versions are likely to set buyers back at least £30,000.
Keyword: Upcoming electric Jeep spotted undisguised