[Wrangler JL News]

When we hear the words “Jeep Wrangler”, most of us would assume that it’s powered by either gas or diesel. But maybe somewhere down the road, we’ll start associating the badge with three powertrains. CAD4X Laboratory at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has been working on an extreme off-road Jeep powered by electricity only and they’ve already tested it in the real world earlier this year.

The first one we see may not be highway ready with a maximum speed of just 73 km/h, but the Wrangler EV handled every obstacle thrown at it like a champ including water crossings, dirt pile scrambles, and driving up a riverway. Even a steep staircase poses no challenge for the dual 60 kM motor that’s pushing out 160 hp and 29 kgm of torque. Although, the 37” BFG mud-terrain tires and Teraflex Longarm suspension lift may have helped.

Their second iteration still has the same 160 hp dual 60 kM motor, but it’s faster with a maximum speed of 108 km/h. This one was put to the test in the wild alongside a diesel JK Wrangler with similar offroad modifications and a gasoline TJ Wrangler. Torque delivery was just overall smoother with the Wrangler EV and there’s less wheel spin.

The group has uploaded plenty of videos with their Wrangler EV in action, but the one below seems to be the best for comparison.

 

[Johnson]

29kg-m is equivalent to about 210lb-ft of torque. Now that is pretty darn impressive. Looking at the video as well, that thing looks pretty darn crazy and capable ! I wonder how much run time like that you can get out of it though.

 

[Mangler]

Either way, 108km/h just isn't enough for me unfortunately. I do like how capable it is but I'd still be going gasoline powered. Now for the new one.. turbo 4 cylinder with an upgraded turbo kit. I'll be a very happy camper

 

[Jeepernator]

electric cars are great for torque delivery, but can you imagine running out of battery in the middle of nowhere? If you run out of gas, it's a simple matter of topping up using an extra gas can, but I have no idea what you'd do if you run out of battery while climbing some rocks.

 

[gladiator]

Some car makers have electric motors at the wheels. If Jeep can do that with an electric wrangler then it will not only help them go green but it will also improve the vehicles off roading capabilities. it will be some exciting times.

 

[Gina]

Regenerative braking? Not sure how well it'll perform with downhill rock climbing. I think a hybrid Wrangler would be a better idea than full electric. That way, you'll get the instant torque of a battery vehicle and the range of a gas vehicle. Give you a peace of mind.

 

[Mangler]

Regenerative braking? Not sure how well it'll perform with downhill rock climbing. I think a hybrid Wrangler would be a better idea than full electric. That way, you'll get the instant torque of a battery vehicle and the range of a gas vehicle. Give you a peace of mind.

That honestly just makes the most sense. Putting an electric motor on all four wheels is going to be pointless, how much power would each one be able to produce?

 

[Jeepernator]

We really don't know how many motors they managed to stuff into that electric Wrangler, so it's hard to say how much power each one is putting down. Maybe there's only one dual 60 kW motor producing that 160 hp and 29 kgm of torque. That's not bad if you pair it with a gas engine.

 

[gladiator]

I heard from a couple of owners that the 2016+ Chevy Volt regen system takes a while to give you any useful range to a point its just useless. So that's something to think about here, maybe it's an industry norm. At the end of the day what will really be important is how well those batteries can hold a charge, how well it uses that power and how fast it can be charged. With all those things checked off we'll be in the clear. Till them i'm MIA from the ownership side of EV's.