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A remarkable winter has just begun across Europe, with its snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Poor weather forecasts and slippery ground are exactly where a Jeep® SUV comes into its own. Courtesy of the new 4xe Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) technology, previously introduced on the Renegade and Compass 4xe and more recently on the iconic Wrangler, you can take on winter behind the wheel of a Jeep SUV with greater peace of mind, both on the snowy city streets and on longer journeys to mountain resorts.
This is guaranteed by the new four-wheel drive, enabling 4xe models not only to maintain the 4×4 performance of the versions with internal combustion engines, but also improving it even further. It ensures traction to get around in safety, even on snow or ice. Where does its secret lie? The combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor – on which 4xe traction is based – provides higher torque than a vehicle with a conventional combustion engine. It also offers the option of high-precision torque adjustments during take-off and while driving off-road on the most challenging terrain, when a low transmission ratio is required.
4xe is “electrification the Jeep way” and emphasizes the brand’s core values, first and foremost the freedom to “Go anywhere, Do anything”, courtesy of the full-electric drive mode. The freedom to go anywhere, stress-free in winter, in line with the brand’s DNA. Plug-in hybrid technology means the Jeep 4xe models can combine all the advantages of zero emissions in electric mode with all-terrain performance and the safety of four-wheel drive. Jeep drivers can also take advantage of benchmark systems and features to drive safely in snow and on slippery surfaces, including:
the dedicated Snow mode on the Renegade and Compass 4xe, to minimise oversteer and maximise traction, and advanced 4xe traction systems; on the Wrangler 4xe, part-time 4H mode is ideal to tackle snowy terrain, courtesy of the permanent 50 (front) / 50 (rear) torque distribution.
Hill-Descent Control, which helps limit speed when driving downhill by acting on the front and rear brakes, for safe driving even in winter (on the Renegade and Compass 4xe only); while the Wrangler 4xe uses Selec-Speed® Control, which maintains the set speed downhill, uphill and on the flat, acting like an off-road cruise control.
The limited-slip rear differential fitted to the Wrangler 4xe Sahara automatically directs the torque between the rear wheels depending on the grip conditions, in order to maximise traction even in snow; on the other hand, the Wrangler 4xe Rubicon stands out for the locking of the rear and front differentials, which increases traction on surfaces with low or differentiated grip, making it ideal for winter driving too.
The eCoasting function enables the use of the vehicle’s kinetic energy, especially during long descents, to regenerate energy and store it in the battery. This ensures several advantages: it saves energy, to the benefit of efficiency and ecology, and through the more intensive eCoasting setting, it allows for the battery to be recharged more quickly while driving, optimising the energy produced when braking, decelerating and cruising. In addition, by regenerating energy, the braking power of the Jeep 4xe models is also increased.
Finally, a wide range of authentic accessories powered by Mopar® are available to allow Jeep 4xe models to carry winter sports equipment conveniently. These include black cross rails to mount various kinds of load-carrying systems, such as a ski or snowboard carrier, an individual ski rack or even a rubber boot mat with the Jeep logo, which is easily washable to prevent the car getting dirty when loading up, especially in winter when items such as snowy boots or muddy shoes might need to go in.
The quiz provides easy-to-follow tips designed to protect drivers, their families and their vehicles from the dangers the elements can bring. It also reminds Jeep drivers of the many specific technical features built into their Jeep 4xe vehicles to help make driving on snow and ice safer and easier.
At this point, all that remains is to test your knowledge with the quiz, produced by the legendary SUV brand, and find out how much you really know about driving in wintery conditions.