Big changes planned for the little SUV.
American off-road specialists Jeep have big plans for their smallest offering, the Renegade, to help it better tackle the European market. After a disappointing showing last year, where European sales dropped by some 55% for the brand, they’ve decided not to hold back for the 2019 refresh of the Renegade, giving it everything they’ve got.
Visual changes are expected to be limited to new LED daytime running lights (like the new Wrangler’s, perhaps) and the usual revisions to the front and rear bumpers. The cabin will see more significant changes, with Autocar reporting plans for a larger Uconnect infotainment screen in the centre console. That enlarged screen will take the place of all sorts of surrounding switchgear, simplifying the dash layout.
The changes under the skin will be even more extensive. Expect to see a thorough drivetrain revision to include the latest, leanest motors from Jeep, including the turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-litre mill replete with its 48V mild-hybrid system. That will likely help the Renegade’s appeal to city-types, who will finally be able to embrace their inner Renegade without paying dearly for it at the pumps.
A spokesperson for the brand has already confirmed to UK media that the 2019 Jeep Renegade would arrive in showrooms in September following a motor show debut earlier in the year, suggesting that the new Renegade might not be far from launch. We should receive similar updates in due course, though no specific timeline has been offered.
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