Jeep Compass hybrids confirmed for Australia in 2024, petrol and diesel axed

The Australian division of US car-maker Jeep has announced its plans to launch two hybrid versions of the Compass small SUV in local showrooms next year – while the existing petrol and turbo-diesel engines will be discontinued.

In a media statement, Jeep said it intends to bring the Compass e-Hybrid mild-hybrid and Compass 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) to Australia in the first half of 2024 (January to June inclusive).

The introduction of the Compass hybrids will result in the small SUV’s 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines being phased out, with the line-up eventually consisting only of electrified grades.

While the existing Australian-delivered Jeep Compass petrol and turbo-diesel are produced in India, the Compass e-Hybrid and 4xe are exclusively built in Italy.

Overseas, the Jeep Compass e-Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine – developing 97kW/240Nm on its own – and a 15kW/55Nm electric motor, which drive the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Jeep’s plug-in hybrid Compass 4xe uses a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – available with 96kW or 132kW and 270Nm overseas – to drive its front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, while the rear axle is powered by a 44kW/250Nm electric motor.

While the Compass e-Hybrid’s system can only give a small boost at low speeds – delivering fuel economy savings in city driving and allowing the engine to shut off while parking – the Compass 4xe plug-in hybrid can drive at up to 130km/h in its electric-only mode.

Jeep also claims the Compass 4xe can achieve up to 50 kilometres of driving range courtesy of its 11.4kWh battery pack and regenerative braking, while returning a claimed fuel consumption of 1.5L/100km on the European WLTP test cycle.

By contrast, the Compass e-Hybrid’s fuel consumption is claimed to be between 4.7L/100km and 5.1L/100km, according to UK publication Car.

Jeep Australia says it will announce more details about the Compass e-Hybrid and Compass 4xe closer to the model’s local launch in 2024.

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