A plug-in hybrid from Jeep?
The Jeep may have been ideal for bouncing soldiers and supplies through rough terrain during the world wars, but if you take a ride in one today, you'll quickly notice their lack of aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Up until now, Chrysler's Jeep brand has continually offered fun, rugged gas-chuggers that seem to have no idea that oil is $100 a barrel. There are some signs, however, that the off-roading vehicles of the future will be able to take you out to the back country without needing an extra gas can.
Signs of a modest level of environmental awareness are sprouting up at Chrysler HQ. The Renegade concept is Jeep's first real step towards a 21st century vehicle. Boasting 110mpg, it's basically a dune buggy with a diesel hybrid engine and 4 wheel drive. The design is meant to test out eco-friendly manufacturing concept like minimizing the number necessary of parts and erasing the need for paint -- the color is blended into the body composite. While you could consider them pretty much polar opposites, the Renegade shares the same BLUETEC diesel technology with the Mercedes E320. The clean-burning diesel engine plus the plug-in lithium cell reportedly gives the Renegade a 400 mile range -- not bad for a 4WD. Will we see these buggies go into production? Probably not, but hopefully the eco-friendly technology will find its way into the rest of Jeep's lineup.
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