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 4.8 Le/100 km, 470 lb.-ft. of torque with unmatched Jeep capability, a 2.72:1 4WD low range ratio and heavy-duty Dana 44 axles.”
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 up to 35 km of all-electric range, as well as hours on the trail with electric-only power. Top it all off with the go-anywhere capability of a 2.72:1 Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system, 76 cm (30 in.) of water fording, heavy-duty Dana 44 axles and mud-terrain tires. Willys 4xe factory suspension lift delivers 25.6 cm (10.1 in.) of ground clearance.
The heritage-inspired Willys 4xe joins the Rubicon 4xe, High Altitude 4xe and Sahara 4xe in the 2023 Wrangler 4xe lineup. Ordering for the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe opens this month with deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2022.
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.
Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe is assembled at Stellantis’ Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio, USA.
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 4.8 Le/100 km 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-litre 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, 470 lb.-ft. of torque and 4.8 Le/100 km from the following components:
2.0-litre 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-litre 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-litre engine and electric motor. In this mode the powertrain will use battery power first, then add in propulsion from the 2.0-litre 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-litre engine
eSave: Prioritizes propulsion from the 2.0-litre 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.
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 4×4 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 4×4 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 76 cm (30 in.) 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.
