Jeep has unveiled its global electric vehicle (EV) plans and India
would also be a part of it with the Avenger roll out and it seems that the
company will not adopt an aggressive strategy in the electric vehicle space in
any of its global markets.
The Avenger — which would have a range of around 400 km on a
single charge — is set to be Jeep’s EV in the compact SUV space and no
technical details of the SUV are out as yet.
The Avenger would be based on the Stellantis Group’s STLA Small
platform for EVs and may come with multiple battery pack sizes and an energy
capacity of up to 84kWh.
This platform supports the Peugeot e-2008 and the Vauxhall Mokka-e
in Europe.
Jeep also confirmed that it would launch its first electric car in
the European market in 2023, and plans to become fully electric by 2030.
The Avenger, being a compact electric SUV, would most likely be a
miniature version of its premium SUVs.
In the exterior, the Avenger will have a lengthy hood and comes
with a seven-slatted grille design having an ‘e’ logo and has eyebrow-like LED
daytime running lamps (DRLs) along the top edge.
Also, there is a large air dam in black — in contrast to the body
colour — that may aid in cooling the electric powertrain.
In the rear, the Avenger would most probably be like the Renegade
with its boxier proportions along with the chunky bumper.
The rear door handles are in the C-pillar, and as a result, the
compact SUV comes with a sleeker profile compared to other SUVs in its segment.
The charge port is at the same spot as the fuel port of a regular
internal combustion engine (ICE) car, that is, on the rear haunches.
The Avenger represents a regular Jeep SUV and the fact that it is
an EV is indicated by the Blue ‘e’ badges on the grille and the tailgate.
A Jeep event indicated that the interior would be rather simple
with a minimalist dashboard having a large central display.
According to Jeep, the Avenger would be affordable and packed with
hi-tech features. But for the Indian market, it may be a premium offering.
Jeep is set to unveil the Avenger during the Paris Motor Show
towards the end of this year, and only after that would it foray into the
European market in early 2023.
In the US market, the Avenger may generate a lukewarm response, and
so, Jeep is hoping that India would be one of its best markets as compact SUVs
are popular in the country.
However, since the pricing of the Avenger is expected to be around
Rs 50 lakh or Rs 50,00,000 (ex-showroom), it would be at the higher end, and hence, it may not
be the preferred choice for car buyers in India.
The American auto major would roll out the Avenger SUV in India
around 2025, and this we think would be a late entry as there would be a litany
of EV offerings at almost all price points (from low end to premium electric
vehicles).
The Avenger may initially be available in the completely-knocked
down (CKD) form and rival the Volvo XC40, which offers a litany of features,
including top-level safety.
With this kind of pricing for the Avenger, Jeep is likely to see a
feeble response in the Indian market for its EV.
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