Jeep Announces 30th Anniversary Grand Cherokee and Willys 4xe
Jeep has a 2030 sales goal of 50% zero emissions sales in the US, and 100% in Europe. To get to there, witness the announcements from last week’s ‘4xe Day’ where they showed an all electric Wagoneer (final name to be determined), a Recon sibling to the Wrangler, and a compact crossover. Another all-electric Jeep is still something we anticipate but is all but official (since Jeep says they will have 4 all-electric offerings by 2025). We expect an electric Wrangler.
Jeep has a 2030 sales goal of 50% zero emissions sales in the US, and 100% in Europe. To get to there, witness the announcements from last week’s ‘4xe Day’ where they showed an all electric Wagoneer (final name to be determined), a Recon sibling to the Wrangler, and a compact crossover. Another all-electric Jeep is still something we anticipate but is all but official (since Jeep says they will have 4 all-electric offerings by 2025). We expect an electric Wrangler.
The electrification push involves adding batteries and motors to the gas powered models as well. Last week included plans for all models to have a 4xe offering by 2025. So, it should come as no surprise anytime Jeep expands the number of hybrid models or trims in the lineup.
For instance, at the 2022 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jeep followed up with a couple special editions built on the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe.
First up was the Grand Cherokee 30th Anniversary edition. Celebrating the original Grand Cherokee that also debuted in Detroit as a 1993 model with one of Chrysler’s famous debuts where it was driven through a window into the lobby of Cobo Hall (now called Huntington Place) - the new Grand Cherokee debut involved a lot more computer generated flash before driving the new model on Jeep’s indoor test track to the stage. Besides 30th anniversary badging, the special edition bring unique blacked-out wheels, interior accents and a few unique features (for instance, ventilated seats that normally require stepping up to the Trailhawk or Overland trim) for it’s $4700 option price.
Orders for the Grand Cherokee 30th Anniversary open later this year.
Coming soon is a 4xe variant of the Wranger Willys. This joins the Sahara, High Altitude, and Rubicon-based 4xe models and takes its place as the least expensive way to get into a plug-in hybrid Wrangler. Starting price for the Willys 4xe is $53995 plus a pretty epic $1595 destination charge. This represents close to a $1300 savings over the 2023 Sahara but only a $600 savings over the 2022 models.
The Willys 4xe brings standard LED headlamps and fog lamps, Alpine 9-speaker audio, all-weather floor mats, rear limited-slip differential, rock rails, black grille, and 17-inch black-painted alloy wheels wearing LT255/75R17C mud-terrain tires. In other words, it is based on the Willys package.
The Willys has a small suspension lift standard that gives this Wrangler 10.1” of ground clearance (over the standard Willys’ 9.7” clearance) and over 30” of water fording.
A special blue-trimmed ‘Willys’ decal is on the hood and a unique ‘Electric 4-Wheel Drive’ decal takes the place of the normal retro decal on the regular Willys.
Like all 4xe Wranglers, the Willys shares the same 375-horsepower, 470-lb.-ft. Wrangler plug-in hybrid powertrain with 21 miles of all-electric range and 49MPGe.
Orders for this model open today with the first deliveries late this year.