The Renegade, with Jeep's classic vertical grille and round headlamps, can't arrive soon enough for the brand's owner, Chrysler Group LLC. It's the well-known brand's first serious small, fuel-efficient contender. It is considered key to Jeep's goal of reaching 1 million in sales this year, an increase of nearly 40 percent over 2013.
In Europe, for instance, the market for small SUVs has grown to 1.1 million sales per year, said Mike Manley, president and CEO of the Jeep brand. But the Renegade also will go after small SUVs in the US such as the Kia Soul and Nissan Juke.
Manley said the price will be competitive enough to entice not only consumers looking to buy a small SUV, but also attract those who were considering subcompact sedans or hatchbacks.
To get better mileage, the Renegade will have 16 engine and transmission configurations for different markets around the world, including the first nine-speed automatic transmission in a small SUV. Transmissions with more gears generally help engines run more efficiently, especially at highway speeds. Two diesel engines will be offered in Europe, but not the US The Renegade also will be capable of going off-road like other Jeeps.
The Renegade combines a rugged, outdoorsy feel that is part of the brand, combined with splashes of color and the latest technological interfaces to appeal to young buyers. The vehicle includes dual pop-out roof panels, a return to the sun-roofs of yesteryear.
The 2015 Renegade will be assembled in Italy on a Fiat platform and available first in Europe in the fall and in the US in late December or early January.
