Jeep Wrangler 4xe – the best-selling PHEV in America – expands lineup with new Willys 4xe

Heritage-inspired Willys 4xe blends more than 80 years of Jeep 4x4 leadership and electric vehicle technology to deliver legendary capability and a nearly silent off-road experience

•2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe, delivering 49 MPGe and 21 miles of all-electric range, combines authentic retro cues with the technologically advanced 375-horsepower, 470-lb.-ft. Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid propulsion system

•Wrangler Willys 4xe features Jeep brand go-anywhere capability with a 2.72:1 Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system, 30 inches of water fording, heavy-duty Dana 44 axles and LT255/75R17C mud-terrain tires

•Willys 4xe factory suspension lift provides 10.1 inches of ground clearance

•The Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe features standard LED headlamps and fog lamps, Alpine 9-speaker premium audio, all-weather floor mats, rear limited-slip differential, rock rails, black grille and 17-inch black-painted alloy wheels

•A special 'Willys' decal on the hood, trimmed in the 4xe's signature Electric Blue, and an 'Electric 4-Wheel Drive' decal on the swing gate signify that this Willys is a 4xe plug-in hybrid

•An available Sun and Screen Package, featuring the class-exclusive Sky One-Touch Power-Top and the Uconnect 4C NAV with 8.4-inch touchscreen, is optional on the Willys 4xe

•Willys 4xe brings a new entry price point to the Wrangler 4xe, with a starting U.S. manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $53,995 (excluding $7,500 tax credit and $1,595 destination)

•Ordering for the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe is available starting today with deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2022

•The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the best-selling plug-in hybrid in America

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe got a boost to its electrified lineup today at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show with the debut of the new heritage-inspired 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe.

'Jeep Wrangler 4xe customers looking for the ultimate combination of capability and electrification, with a vintage twist, can now have it in the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe,' said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. 'The debut of the new heritage-inspired 2023 Wrangler Willys 4xe pairs 49 MPGe, 470 lb.-ft. of torque with unmatched Jeep capability, a 2.72:1 4WD low range ratio, heavy-duty Dana 44 axles and a new entry price point to the 2023 model year Wrangler 4xe lineup, which continues to be the best-selling plug-in hybrid in America.'

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe boasts the performance and efficiency of 375 horsepower, 470 lb.-ft. of torque, a 17 kWh battery that readily handles most daily commutes, including 21 miles of all-electric range, as well as hours on the trail with electric-only power. and it all off with the go-anywhere capability of a 2.72:1 Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system, 30 inches of water fording, heavy-duty Dana 44 axles and mud-terrain tires. Willys 4xe factory suspension lift delivers 10.1 inches of ground clearance.

With a starting U.S. manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $53,995 (excluding $7,500 tax credit and $1,595 destination), the heritage-inspired Willys 4xe brings a new entry price point to the Wrangler 4xe lineup, joining Rubicon 4xe, High Altitude 4xe, and Sahara 4xe. Ordering for the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe is available starting today with deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Unique Willys 4xe Treatment

The Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe features standard LED headlamps and fog lamps, Alpine 9-speaker premium audio, all-weather floor mats, rear limited-slip differential, rock rails, black grille, and 17-inch black-painted alloy wheels wearing LT255/75R17C mud-terrain tires. A special 'Willys' decal on the hood, trimmed in the 4xe's signature Electric Blue, and an 'Electric 4-Wheel Drive' decal on the swing gate signify that this Willys is a 4xe plug-in hybrid. Electric Blue is also used to accent the front and rear Willys tow hooks, the Jeep badge and the Trail Rated badge. An available Sun and Screen Package, featuring the class-exclusive Sky One-Touch Power-Top and the Uconnect 4C NAV with 8.4-inch touchscreen, is optional on the Willys 4xe.

Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe is assembled at Stellantis' Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio. Vehicles are scheduled to start arriving at dealers in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Wrangler Willys 4xe Advanced Powertrain

The Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe provides a unique on- and off-road experience. The most advanced powertrain ever developed for a Jeep Wrangler maximizes efficiency with 49 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) while eliminating range anxiety, delivering pure-electric operation for most daily commutes and hours on the trail.

Torque from the electric motors in the Wrangler Willys 4xe's hybrid powertrain arrives instantly on demand from the driver. The powertrain also delivers fuel-saving, seamless start-stop operation of the engine.

The Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe powertrain integrates two electric motors and a 400-volt battery pack with a fuel-efficient, turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. This configuration maximizes the efficiency of the hybrid propulsion components and mates them with the Wrangler's world-renowned and proven driveline.

Key output of the Wrangler Willys 4xe powertrain includes 375 horsepower (280 kW), 470 lb.-ft. (637 Nm) of torque and 49 MPGe from the following components:

•2.0-liter turbocharged I-4

•Engine-mounted motor generator unit

•Transmission-mounted motor generator unit integrated into eight-speed automatic transmission

•400-volt, 17-kWh, 96-cell lithium-ion, nickel manganese cobalt battery pack

The 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 is a high-tech, direct-injection engine that uses a twin-scroll, low-inertia turbocharger for exceptional responsiveness, performance and fuel efficiency.

The high-voltage, liquid-cooled eTorque motor generator unit mounts at the front of the engine, replacing the conventional alternator. The motor generator spins the engine for nearly seamless, fuel-saving, start-stop operation and generates electricity for the battery pack. The second high-voltage motor generator is much more powerful. Mounted at the front of the transmission case, this large e-motor is key for pure electric operation of the Wrangler Willys 4xe.

The Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe's 400-volt, 17-kWh, 96-cell lithium-ion battery pack uses nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) graphite chemistry. The pack and controls mount underneath the second-row seat, where it is protected from outside elements.

Wrangler Willys 4xe E Selec Modes

The Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe driver can tailor the hybrid powertrain to best suit each trip, whether it is filling the needs of most daily commutes in pure-electric operation, a night on the town or quietly exploring nature off-road. •Hybrid: The default mode blends torque from the 2.0-liter engine and electric motor. In this mode the powertrain will use battery power first, then add in propulsion from the 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 when the battery reaches minimum state of charge

•Electric: The powertrain operates on zero-emission electric power only until the battery reaches the minimum charge or the driver requests more torque (such as wide-open throttle), which engages the 2.0-liter engine

•eSave: Prioritizes propulsion from the 2.0-liter engine, saving the battery charge for later use such as EV off-roading or urban areas where internal combustion propulsion is restricted. The driver can also choose between Battery Save and Battery Charge during eSave via the Hybrid Electric Pages in the Uconnect monitor

Off-road Legend

Jeep Wrangler's heritage is defined by its legendary off-road capability. All of the Wrangler Willys 4xe power modes are available when the drivetrain is shifted to 4Lo. The seamless integration of electric power into the 4x4 drivetrain elevates the Wrangler Willys 4xe to new levels of off-road performance. Enthusiasts will find that the instant availability of torque from the Wrangler Willys 4xe's electric motor delivers a more precise and controlled driving experience for climbing and crawling – there's no need to build up engine rpm to get the tires to move, minimizing driveline shock loading and maximizing control and speed.

In EV mode, the Wrangler Willys 4xe treads lightly and silently, conserving fuel, allowing occupants to focus solely on the sights and full sounds of nature. The new Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe is equipped with a full-time 4WD system, front and rear heavy-duty Dana 44 axles and a Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. The intuitive system allows the driver to set it and forget it in any environment. A standard Trac-Lok rear limited-slip rear differential provides extra grip and capability in low-traction situations, such as driving over sand, gravel, snow or ice.

The Wrangler Willys 4xe includes Selec-Speed Control with Hill-ascent and Hill-descent Control. This allows the driver to control vehicle speed up and down steep, rugged grades with the transmission shift lever. Like every Jeep Wrangler, the Wrangler Willys 4xe wears a Trail Rated badge that signifies legendary 4x4 capability with equipment that includes: •Skid plates and front and rear blue tow hooks

•Aggressive 17-inch off-road black-painted wheels and LT255/75R17C mud-terrain tires

•Up to 30 inches (76 cm) of water fording

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe maintains Wrangler's renowned ease of customization with a host of Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar available when the vehicle arrives in showrooms.

by Jeep

An automobile marque and registered trademark of Chrysler, Jeep is the oldest off-road vehicle brand. First appearing as the prototype Bantam BRC, the original vehicle became the primary light 4-wheel-drive vehicle of the U.S. Army and allies during World War II and the postwar period. Jeeps have also been used by the U.S. Postal Service during the 20th century for mail services. One suggestion for the origin of the name 'Jeep' was that the vehicle bore the designation 'GP' (for 'Government Purposes' or 'General Purpose'), which was phonetically slurred into the word Jeep.

A fun car to drive, whether it be cruising around the neighborhood, or taking on a perilous off-road trek, the Jeep Wrangler was first introduced to the world in 1987. Able to withstand the test of time, the Wrangler continues to be a very popular vehicle. Since its conception in 1987, the Wrangler has undergone 3 major design revisions from the YJ until the JK and through the changes, the Wrangler continues to prove itself as 'the gold standard' of off-road vehicles.

Arguably one of the most recognizable Jeep vehicles; the Wrangler is considered a mini sport utility vehicle and has always been produced by Chrysler, under the Jeep name. A successor of the World War II Jeep vehicle, the Wrangler underwent a big makeover in 1987, again in 1997 and 2007. The Wrangler is known by Jeep under a variety of names including YJ, JK and TJ. Targeting at maximizing comfort to expand the appeal of the Wrangler beyond the off-road world, Chrysler has continued to update the Jeep Wrangler year after year.

Built in Brampton, Ontario, the Wrangler; also known as the YJ began production in 1987 and continued to be produced at this location until 1992. In that year it began to be produced by Jeep's Toledo North Assembly plant located in Toledo, Ohio. The cars were also produced in Canada for many years, but they weren't sold under the Wrangler name, instead, it was offered as a trim level of a Chevy pickup. From 1987 until 1995, models were known as YK, and from 1997 the 2006 the models were sold as TJ. The Wrangler YJ sold nearly 700,000 units.

The YJ was available as a two door convertible as well as a two door truck. The YJ offered three different engine options that included a 2.0 liter, 4.0 liter as well as a 4.2 liter along with four different transmission options. The YJ was available with two different gas tanks, either an optional 20 gallon tank or the standard 15-gallon tank. The 15-gallon tank was pretty standard for this type of vehicle at this time, compared to now where there is a demand for greater fuel capacity.

The Jeep Wrangler that was produced from 1997 for a decade was dubbed the TJ and was offered with three different engines that included a 2.4 liter, 4.0 liter as well as the 2.5 liter. The TJ was available as both a two door convertible and a two door truck. The transmission was available in three different offerings including a four-speed automatic, a five-speed manual and a six speed manual. A compromise between the standard 15 gallon tank and the optional 20 gallon tank offered on the YJ from 1987 until 1995 was the 19 US gallon gas tank offered on the TJ.

Departing from the World War II era CJ Jeeps, the TJ went back to the round headlights from the square headlights featured on the YJ. The Wrangler TJ also had an unlimited model that 10' longer than the standard wrangler. Continuing on as a very popular roadster, the TJ was in production until 2006. Owners were able to maximize the off-road experience beyond the base model with vast customization options.

The name for the Wrangler changed to JK from 2007 onwards until it is updated again. The KJ features a two-door model as well as two four-door models. Longer, wider and featuring more spaces than its predecessors, the JK came in three trim options; the X, Sahara and Rubicon. The current engine of the JK is a 3.6 liter V6 with either a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The all-new JK came with a larger gas tank than previous ones and had a fuel capacity at 21.6 US gallons, which was more popular with the customers. The Rubicon and the Sahara models include 17-inch wheels instead of the 16-inch wheels that were standard on the X. Both of these models also have additional body trim and styling as well as interior features.

Standing the test of time, unlike many vehicles, the Wrangler has the capability to change when the needs of the consumer change. Today the Wrangler can be thought of as a family car, due to its diversity, capacious interior and safety ratings. The Wrangler has been, and continues to be the best-regarded 4X4 off-road vehicle.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4x4x4 was created by taking the 2007 Wrangler and adding two extra doors and extra length. Keeping the same iconic style, the Unlimited retained the classic look but expanded the appeal beyond the 2-door Wrangler's 'niche' market. Continuing to possess off-road and anywhere capability the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited featured a less rugged feel and was more geared 'toward suburban assault vehicle' with its comfort for everyday functions.

The Unlimited retained the convertible options and actually has several configurations with the 3-piece modular 'Freedom Top' feature.

by Jessican Donaldson