The new Jeep Wrangler Magneto concept provides clues as to how the legendary American 4×4 will survive into the electric era.
- The concept’s electric motor produces 285hp and 370Nm
- The concept features with a 6-speed manual gearbox
- It features a 70kWh battery with 800V hardware for rapid charging
The Magneto has been revealed ahead of this year’s Moab Jeep Safari, at which the SUV brand traditionally unveils outlandish one-off takes on its production cars.
It’s one of four concepts heading to Moab in 2021, alongside a resto-mod version of the 1968 Jeep Commando, a heavily upgraded take on the Gladiator pick-up truck and an open-top take on the conventionally fuelled Wrangler that pays tribute to the model’s heritage.
Jeep Wrangler Magneto concept: styling
As a concept, the Wrangler Magneto is finished in a striking bright white-and-blue colour scheme and features bespoke styling cues, including a redesigned tailgate, uprated lights and a performance-inspired bonnet. Off-road upgrades extend to a 2.0-inch lift kit, 17-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch tyres, a roll cage and beefy bumpers with a winch on the front.
Jeep Wrangler Magneto concept: powertrain
The Magneto’s single-motor powertrain is said to offer performance on a par with the standard Wrangler’s 3.5-litre Pentastar petrol V6, packing 285hp and 370Nm for a 0-100kph time of 6.8sec.
Unusually, the motor is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and a clutch that operates “as it would with an internal combustion engine.” Regenerative deceleration, like that allowed by a conventional EV’s single-speed transmission, still features when the clutch is engaged. The future production version of this concept will likely adopt a single-speed setup.
Jeep Wrangler Magneto concept: battery and charging
Power is stored in four battery packs – distributed around the chassis for optimal weight distribution – with a combined capacity of 70kWh and equipped with 800V hardware for rapid charging. Each is encased in a waterproof enclosure so as to not diminish the Wrangler’s off-road prowess (it can wade at depths of up to 30 inches) and are protected from impacts by custom skid plates.
Jeep hasn’t quoted a range for the Magneto concept, but a 70kWh battery capacity should be enough for more than 354km per charge, which would likely increase with smaller tyres fitted.
Jeep India plans
Recently, the American carmaker has launched the made-in-India Jeep Wrangler, which is priced from Rs 53.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This makes Jeep’s Ranjangaon plant only the second location worldwide to manufacture the Wrangler.
Additionally, Jeep is working on a new 7-seat SUV (codenamed: H6) for our market, as well as looking to locally assemble the next-gen Grand Cherokee at its India plant.
Also see:
Jeep to launch four new SUVs in two years; compact SUV to follow
Jeep ‘Junior’ could be first compact SUV with AWD
Seven-seat Jeep SUV name likely to be revealed on April 4