A mecca for off-road enthusiasts, the Easter Jeep Safari comes back to Moab, Utah, on April 9 for a week of rock crawling and trail rides. This year, Jeep aims to shine a spotlight on its electrification endeavors with a collection of all-electric and plug-in hybrid concepts. Most notable is the new Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0, an upgraded version of the brand’s first all-electric Wrangler concept. While a fully-electric Jeep is not yet available, these battery-powered concepts come on the heels of Jeep’s recently launched PHEV production vehicles: the Wrangler Unlimited 4xe and the all-new 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe.
Related: 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe Review: Not Bad, Just Confusing
First introduced at the 2021 Easter Jeep Safari, the Jeep Magneto is a fully-electric Wrangler concept based on the off-road SUV’s two-door Rubicon variant. Instead of the standard 3.6-liter V-6, the Magneto 2.0 is powered by an axial-flux electric motor that can spin up to 5,250 rpm and is paired with the model’s six-speed manual transmission. Four lithium-ion battery packs make up the SUV’s 70-kilowatt-hour, 800-volt system. Last year, the Magneto’s power and torque output matched the gas-powered Wrangler’s, but the Magneto 2.0 takes those up a notch for 2022: Thanks to increased peak amperage in the propulsion system, the EV’s horsepower jumps from 285 to 625 and torque increases from 273 pounds-feet to 850.
Additional upgrades include an improved first gear ratio that works with the Rubicon’s Rock-Trac transfer case for improved rock-crawling capability. But slow-speed endeavors aren’t the only focus for the Magneto 2.0: Jeep claims the EV will also have a 0-60-mph sprint of just 2 seconds. The concept has a wheelbase that’s 12 inches longer than the standard two-door Wrangler and has a 3-inch lift kit with 40-inch off-road tires on 20-inch wheels. Visually, the Magneto 2.0 deviates from the standard Wrangler with unique front and rear bumpers and carbon-fiber wheel flares that improve approach and departure angles when going off-road. The SUV gets Surf Blue paint, a custom carbon-fiber B-pillar and hood, and a custom bikini top.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is set to arrive this spring and its new PHEV powertrain will be available across the model’s Base, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit and Summit Reserve trims. Jeep will take the most off-road-capable Trailhawk 4xe and customize it for Moab.
The PHEV concept’s powertrain matches that of the production vehicle, which combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motors and a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. The system makes 375 system hp and 470 pounds-feet of torque, and the vehicle gets an EPA-estimated 25 miles of all-electric range and 470 miles of total range. The SUV’s off-road capability comes by way of Jeep’s sway-bar disconnect for improved traction over rocks and rough terrain and Quadra-Lift air suspension.
To prepare the PHEV for Moab, Jeep gives the concept a custom Industrial Blue exterior paint to match the 4xe’s Lagoon Blue standard tow hooks and black-and-blue hood decal. The concept also gets a custom roof rack, quad LED foglights, custom side graphics and Mopar rock rails. The concept rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch mud-terrain tires.
Pricing for the production 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe starts at $64,280, including destination.
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By Fred Meier and Brian Normile