Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will offer hybrid versions in the Jeep and Ram ranges starting in 2018.
We know this since January 2016, yet no further details have been revealed by the Italian-American company that owns the two brands. The only other thing about the two ranges that will get hybrid options was that the resulting vehicles would be mild hybrids, without any other details.
FCA already has a plug-in hybrid model in its lineup, which made some people wonder why its powertrain will not motivate the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, along with a few Ram models.
Well, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has not specified anything regarding a potential parts-sharing strategy between the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, but it might not happen because the off-roading legend might be too small to fit the batteries of the system under its passenger compartment.
While it may seem peculiar to call a Wrangler "small," it is an entirely different breed of an automobile when compared to the Chrysler Pacifica. Because the Wrangler will have to handle off-roading, FCA’s engineers cannot risk placing a set of Lithium-Ion batteries at the “belly” of the Wrangler, which might get damaged by rocks or other objects when leaving paved trails.
Another reason why the potential for parts sharing between the Wrangler and Pacifica is not discussed is the fact that the off-roader and its pickup truck siblings from the Ram range might feature an entirely different setup. After all, the owners of these vehicles are not that interested in going green, but they will appreciate an increase in fuel economy.
Instead of a plug-in hybrid setup like the one on the Pacifica, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler hybrid could get a 48-Volt setup like Mercedes-Benz plans to implement on its future range of inline-six engines.
Evidently, there will be no parts sharing with Chrysler’s former owners, but Jeep and Ram models could benefit from a similar concept promised for the next range of engines from Mercedes-Benz.
We are referring to a mild-hybrid setup that replaces the alternator and starter motor for an e-motor, which can offer a small power and torque boost when needed, but cannot power the vehicle alone. The first hybrid models from Jeep and Ram are expected to come in 2019 or 2020, so there’s plenty of time for FCA insiders to share their intel with others.
FCA already has a plug-in hybrid model in its lineup, which made some people wonder why its powertrain will not motivate the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, along with a few Ram models.
Well, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has not specified anything regarding a potential parts-sharing strategy between the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, but it might not happen because the off-roading legend might be too small to fit the batteries of the system under its passenger compartment.
While it may seem peculiar to call a Wrangler "small," it is an entirely different breed of an automobile when compared to the Chrysler Pacifica. Because the Wrangler will have to handle off-roading, FCA’s engineers cannot risk placing a set of Lithium-Ion batteries at the “belly” of the Wrangler, which might get damaged by rocks or other objects when leaving paved trails.
Another reason why the potential for parts sharing between the Wrangler and Pacifica is not discussed is the fact that the off-roader and its pickup truck siblings from the Ram range might feature an entirely different setup. After all, the owners of these vehicles are not that interested in going green, but they will appreciate an increase in fuel economy.
Instead of a plug-in hybrid setup like the one on the Pacifica, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler hybrid could get a 48-Volt setup like Mercedes-Benz plans to implement on its future range of inline-six engines.
Evidently, there will be no parts sharing with Chrysler’s former owners, but Jeep and Ram models could benefit from a similar concept promised for the next range of engines from Mercedes-Benz.
We are referring to a mild-hybrid setup that replaces the alternator and starter motor for an e-motor, which can offer a small power and torque boost when needed, but cannot power the vehicle alone. The first hybrid models from Jeep and Ram are expected to come in 2019 or 2020, so there’s plenty of time for FCA insiders to share their intel with others.
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