RAY MASSEY: First fully electric Jeep set to be unveiled

The first fully electric Jeep will be unveiled as the off-road giant born during World War II launches an eco offensive. 

The new zero-emissions Avenger SUV with a range of 250 miles is set to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 17 with reservations opening for customers that same day. First UK showroom deliveries will commence at the beginning of next year, with prices expected at between £35,000 and £40,000.

With a name that echoes the big-screen superhero team — or for British fans of a certain vintage, the suave John Steed and accomplices including Mrs Emma Peel — Jeep said the new Avenger will be positioned under the Renegade and be produced in Tychy, Poland. 

It promises a modern, technologically advanced interior, with plenty of people and cargo space. 

The car is one of four all-electric SUVs to be launched in North America and Europe by 2025, with Jeep bosses promising that 50 per cent of sales in the U.S. and all sales in Europe will be battery-electric vehicles by 2030. 

Antonella Bruno, head of Jeep Europe at parent company Stellantis, said: ‘The all-new Avenger will offer Jeep brand capability that is rightsized for the European market.’ 

Two more fully-electric 4x4s were also unveiled — the Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S — which will be launched first in North America before arriving in Europe and the rest of the world. 

The new zero-emissions Avenger SUV with a range of 250 miles is set to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 17 

First UK showroom deliveries will commence at the beginning of next year, with prices expected at between £35,000 and £40,000

Jeep said the new Avenger will be positioned under the Renegade and be produced in Tychy, Poland

It promises a modern, technologically advanced interior, with plenty of people and cargo space

The Wagoneer S has already raised eyebrows for its uncanny resemblance to Land Rover rival the Range Rover Sport. Powered by electric motors developing a mighty 600hp, it’s expected to accelerate from rest to 60mph in just 3.5 seconds, with an average range of up to 400 miles. The range consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler. 

The original Jeep was a military scout vehicle built for the U.S. war department from 1941 by Willys-Overland. It became the workhorse 4×4 of U.S. and Allied forces during World War II, from the Normandy beachheads to the Far East.

Meet the new ‘Jeep Rover’! America’s legendary Jeep unveils a Range Rover doppelganger – the Wagoneer S

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Britain’s Land Rover must be feeing particularly pleased. Or perhaps not.

For American arch-rival Jeep’s new Wagoneer S – one of the US-firm’s three newly unveiled electric 4x4s bears an uncanny resemblance to the British luxury’s car-maker’s own new Range Rover Sport off-roader which costs from £64,760 to more than £100,000.

A far cry from Jeep’s traditional rugged boxy exterior, the lookalike Wagoneer S’s sleek low slung lines may even have stolen the march on a long-mooted top secret Land Rover ‘RoadRover’ luxury crossover speculated to be in the pipeline.

Jeep’s new Wagoneer S – one of the US-firm’s three newly unveiled electric 4x4s bears an uncanny resemblance to the new Range Rover Sport off-roader

Range Rover itself is preparing to launch its own fully electric models from 2024

It also comes as Range Rover itself is preparing to launch its own fully electric models from 2024 – many of which will be exported to the key United States market, which is the home of Jeep. Jaguar Land Rover has said that all Jaguar and Land Rover nameplates ‘will be available in pure electric form by the end of the decade’.

Unveiling the three new off-roaders, Jeep’s chief designer Ralph Gilles said the upmarket Wagoneer S exuded sexiness, speed and a sporty premium feel. Powered by electric motors developing a mighty 600 horse-power, it is expected to accelerate from rest to 60mph in just 3.5 seconds, with an average range of up to 400 miles.

Although no prices have been given, the Wagoneer S is expected to sit above the Jeep Grand Cherokee which costs from £69,900 – so in a similar price bracket to the Range Rover Sport.

Jeep said of the Wagoneer S: ‘This fully electric vehicle will continue to expand the brand’s presence in the premium SUV segment by offering a unique, sleek, aerodynamic design and 4×4 capability as standard, with all-terrain management, advanced Jeep brand-focused technology and impressive performance credentials.’

Jeep CEO Christian Meunier said: ‘We’ll delight our customers with a premium, highly efficient SUV that is loaded with technology and high quality craftsmanship, offering 4×4 capability, high performance, rapid acceleration and a target range of 400 miles on a single charge.’

Production will start in 2024 with reservation for US customers opening in 2023, with Europe to follow.

The new Wagoneer S is central to Jeep’s stated mission to become ‘the leading electrified SUV brand in the world’.

Rugged and ready – the Jeep Recon

Jeep said its rugged new electric Recon, another of the three, is aimed at customers ‘who love to explore extreme adventures in near silence with a rugged, fully electric vehicle package’.

Available only with battery power, Jeep said: ‘It is designed from the ground up to be 100 per cent Jeep 4×4 and 100 per cent zero emission.’

Jeep said its rugged new electric Recon is aimed at customers ‘who love to explore extreme adventures in near silence with a rugged, fully electric vehicle package’

Bosses said it will come with trail-rated capability, a Selec-Terrain traction management system, e-locker axle technology, under-body protection, tow hooks and aggressive off-road tyres. To celebrate authentic open-air freedom, it comes with a one-touch power-top, plus removable doors and glass.

Like the Wagoneer S, production will start in the US in 2024 with reservations for US customers opening early next year, with Europe to follow.

The company said they were building upon the success of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in the United States, and on the recently introduced Grand Cherokee 4xe.

Jeep CEO Christian Meunier said: ‘We are designing and developing the most capable and sustainable Jeep SUVs to date, on our path to becoming the leading zero-emission SUV brand in the world.’

Jim Morrison, head of Jeep brand North America said: ‘By the end of 2025, our full line-up will be electrified, including four all-electric vehicles competing in the heart of the marketplace.’

Honda Jazz most reliable used car

Honda’s Jazz has been crowned the most reliable used car, according to the latest figures released by extended vehicle warranty firm Warrantywise (www.warrantywise.co.uk).

Its annual reliability index reveals that Japanese and Korean cars take 9 of the top 10 places (with Japanese cars taking the top five) based on data from 131,000 insurance policies from used cars less than ten years old.

Honda Jazz proves most reliable, with a score of 93.7 per cent and an average repair cost of £424.31 and a highest bill of £973.66.

Honda Jazz proves most reliable, with a score of 93.7 per cent and an average repair cost of £424.31

It is followed by the second-place Mazda 2 (89.9 per cent); Toyota Auris (89.7 per cent); Mazda MX-5 (86.5 per cent); Toyota Aygo (85.5 per cent); Korea’s Kia Ceed (85 per cent) and Rio (84.9 per cent); Suzuki Alto (83.9 per cent); and Hyundai i20 (82.5 per cent).

France Peugeot 107 (81.6%) just makes it into 10th place as the sole European brand.

Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise said: ‘First launched in the UK 20 years ago, and now in its fifth incarnation, the Honda Jazz’s affordable price, and stellar reputation of being built to last, continues to uphold the marque’s solid reputation of being ultra-dependable, making it an attractive and cost-effective option.’

Last week the previous generation Range Rover was named by Warrantywise as the UK’s most unreliable car after it scored just 20.2 per cent, with an average repair cost of £1,607 but the highest topping £23,890.

New Transport Secretary in driving seat 

New job: Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan

New Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan starts her job with a bursting inbox and lobby groups vying for her attention. 

The Berwick MP’s arrival has raised hopes in the North-East that the long overdue upgrade of the A1 through Northumberland en route to Edinburgh — for which she has campaigned — will finally get under way. 

The AA’s top priorities include safer roads, a reform of ‘smart’ motorways, more electric vehicle charging points and incentives to switch to electric cars, fixing potholed roads, more traffic police, transparency of fuel pricing, more park and ride, a better deal for motorists facing rip-off parking fines, and a speedier rollout of in-car assisted driving technology to help reduce collisions. 

Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart highlighted drug-driving, e-scooter regulation and older drivers among the areas where it would like the new minister to focus.