Jeep usually shows off a smorgasbord of Wrangler and Gladiator concepts at the Easter Jeep Safari, which occurs every spring (in one form or another) in Moab, Utah. This year, they’ll bring a concept that may mark the biggest revolution in the brand’s history. Jeep has announced they will unveil an all-electric Wrangler to Moab — and according to Car and Driver, we could see a production EV Wrangler follow as soon as this year.
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Jeep didn’t offer many details in the announcement on their new “The Road Ahead” website, which went live after the Super Bowl. It will be 100-percent battery electric, but still boast a perhaps-non-functional seven-slat grille. No word yet on the range and capability; considering that the hybrid Wrangler 4xe starts at $47,995, however, we can expect the electric model to be pricey.
It can be tough predicting what people will get angry about. But Wrangler fans — at least the well-heeled ones who can afford it — should embrace electric power. The powertrain has never been an iconic part of the Wrangler’s identity; whatever sits beneath the hood is there just to help it conquer rocks and trails. And besides, once-controversial moves like adding the four-door Unlimited model and steadily moving away from the manual transmission have only made the Wrangler more popular; electrification seems likely to ultimately be another example in that list.
2021 was already shaping up to be a massive year for Jeep. The brand was already debuting the Hemi V8-powered Wrangler Rubicon 392, the PHEV Wrangler 4xe, three new three-row SUV models and the new two-row Grand Cherokee this year. And if you’re keeping score, Jeep will have delivered hybrid and V8 Wranglers to dealers and unveiled a concept for an EV Wrangler…all before Ford gets the new Bronco into production.