Electric car Jeep Recon: Off-road capable with open-air function
Jeep's first electric off-roader is intended to offer capability comparable to classic off-roaders. The "Recreational Vehicle" can be largely stripped down.
(Image: Stellantis)
Stellantis plans to re-establish itself in the USA almost entirely with combustion engines. Before the climate change-denying government cut EV subsidies, the group's brand Jeep developed an electric car that is remarkably niche from a European perspective, but promising for the USA, with a view to electrifying individual transport in the US. The Reckon off-roader is set to go on sale next year.
"Recreational Vehicle"
Jeep is thus introducing its first battery-electric off-road vehicle. While the four-door Jeep Recon is roughly the size of a Jeep Wrangler, it is no longer a classic off-roader. Nevertheless, it is intended to offer comparable off-road capability. Like the Wrangler, it is – primarily for the US market – also intended as a "Recreational Vehicle" and can be completely opened up on motorized excursions: all four doors are to be removable with a few simple steps, and the roof can be opened wide.
Jeep Recon Exterior (6 Bilder)
Stellantis
)A peculiarity of electrification is the extreme, instantly available power and torque values. Up to 478 kW and a maximum of 840 Nm are available, with the motors having a power output of 250 kW each. This could allow it to reach 100 km/h in about 3.6 seconds on the road. Off-road, however, it moves slowly. The fact that lower power outputs are also perfectly sufficient for extreme climbing maneuvers off-road has been sufficiently proven by off-road vehicles such as the Willys MB, the first "Jeep" from 1941 with its 45 kW, or the Land Rover from 1947 with its 39 kW.
With an engine like in the Recon, it is therefore all the more important that the surplus power is managed so cleverly by the electronics that all four wheels achieve maximum propulsion even with poor grip, instead of spinning aimlessly. Interestingly, despite the powerful engines, the drive concept relies on a mechanical off-road gear ratio of 15:1 in the rear and 13:1 in the front drive module. With the 33-inch traction tires of the optional Moab equipment, this results in ground clearance of around 23 centimeters, typical for off-road vehicles, approach angles of 34 degrees at the front and 34.5 degrees at the rear, and a breakover angle of 23.5 degrees. With the standard 265/70R18 all-terrain tires, all values are naturally slightly smaller.
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Successes thanks to assistance
With electronic assistance, even the most clumsy driver can experience capability in challenging passages that was previously denied to them even with the best classic off-road vehicles. This is not to say, of course, that such a car, driven with care, would not be capable of comparable performance. Compared to the Jeep Reckon, it has superior suspension articulation with two rigid axles, the basis for superior traction.
The electric Reckon, on the other hand, uses a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension, primarily for weight savings and integration of its drive modules. On severely uneven terrain, these will lead to the traction limits of the unloaded wheels earlier. However, the drive and even braking forces can be regulated individually by the electric motors in real-time so finely that this is hardly possible with a conventional car. Therefore, even before the first test drives, it can be assumed that both drive concepts will be very similar overall. The Reckon would therefore have the potential to inherit the classic Jeep Wrangler (off-road test), with its two rigid axles, if enough customers want it.
Jeep Recon Interior (3 Bilder)
Stellantis
)A battery with a 400-volt system voltage and a capacity of 100 kWh is expected to provide an estimated electric range of up to 450 kilometers – nothing is yet known about cell chemistry and charging power. Homologation is not yet complete in the USA and could take more time for global markets.
Open for experiences
Jeep has retained a typical characteristic: it can still be almost completely stripped down, as has been the case with almost all Jeep models for 84 years. Stellantis refers to this as "brand DNA true to Jeep's open-air heritage." A glass sunroof is standard, and an electric sliding sunroof is optionally available. The group writes, "the Jeep Recon stands as the only fully electric vehicle designed with removable doors, rear quarter glass and swing gate glass. No tools are required."
"Tailgate glass" likely refers to the window of the rear door that swings open sideways. For the most part, the press release reads as if translated by artificial intelligence, in anticipation that the media will then translate it into understandable German. Stellantis states a luggage compartment capacity of 1866 liters in the rear with the second seat row folded down, and 84 liters for a frunk.
Production of the 2026 Jeep Recon will begin early next year at the Toluca assembly plant. The market launch will start in the USA and Canada, with global marketing to follow. Jeep has not yet announced prices. The comparable GMC Hummer costs $96,600 (approx. €83,860) as an electric car, and a similar Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ costs just under €150,000.
(fpi)