All-new 2015 Jeep Renegade: Most Capable Small SUV Expands the Brand’s Lineup

Press release

April 16, 2014 , Windsor, Ontario - The all-new 2015 Jeep® Renegade expands the brand’s vehicle lineup, entering the growing small sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment, while staying true to the adventurous lifestyle and 4x4 capability Jeep is known for.  Renegade delivers a unique combination of best-in-class off-road capability, open-air freedom and convenience, a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission that contributes to outstanding on-road and off-road driving dynamics, two fuel-efficient engines, world-class refinement, and a host of innovative safety and advanced technology offerings. The result is an efficient vehicle created to attract youthful and adventurous customers around the world to the Jeep brand.

“The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade symbolizes the brand’s renowned North American design, ingenuity and innovation, marking the Jeep brand’s first entry into the small SUV segment,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Renegade expands the brand’s product portfolio and targets the rapidly expanding small SUV segment with a best-in-class combination of fuel efficiency and off-road capability, while at the same time delivering outstanding driving dynamics and the open-air freedom customers expect from Jeep.”

Best-in-class off-road capability thanks to two all-new 4x4 systems

Leveraging 4x4 technology from the all-new Jeep Cherokee, the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade offers two of the most advanced and intelligent 4x4 systems in its class, all to deliver best-in-class off-road capability. Both systems can provide up to 1,475 lb.-ft. of the engine’s available torque to the rear wheels, for optimal grip:

Jeep Active Drive – full-time 4x4 system

Jeep Active Drive Low – class-exclusive full-time 4x4 system with 20:1 crawl ratio

Innovation is also at the forefront of any new Jeep vehicle, and the Renegade features the segment’s first disconnecting rear axle and power take-off unit (PTU) – all to provide Jeep Renegade 4x4 models with enhanced fuel economy. Jeep Active Drive and Active Drive Low 4x4 systems instantly engage when 4x4 traction is needed.

Both Jeep Active Drive and Active Drive Low 4x4 systems include the Jeep Selec-Terrain system, providing up to five modes (Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud modes, plus exclusive Rock mode on the Trailhawk model) for the best four-wheel-drive performance on- or off-road and in any weather condition.

Trail Rated: Renegade Trailhawk 4x4 model 

For customers who demand the most off-road capability from their Jeep vehicles, the Renegade Trailhawk model delivers best-in-class Trail Rated 4x4 capability with:

Standard Jeep Active Drive Low with 20:1 crawl ratio

Selec-Terrain system with exclusive Rock mode

Increased ride height 20 mm (0.8 inches) to 220 mm (8.7 inches)

Skid plates, and signature red front and rear tow hooks

Unique fascias deliver 30.5 degree approach, 25.7 degree breakover and 34.3 degree departure angles

Unique 17-inch wheels with aggressive on-road and off-road tires

Up to 205 mm (8.1 inches) of wheel articulation

Hill-descent Control

Up to 482 mm (19 inches) of water fording

Up to 907 kg (2,000 lb.) towing capability with 2.4-litre Tigershark engine and available tow package

A global Jeep design for a rapidly growing global brand

From the start, Jeep designers knew the Renegade would need to deliver best-in-class off-road capability with city-sized proportions that exuded the brand’s rugged style while at the same time enhancing versatility, maneuverability and style. Additionally, designers were tasked to create an all-new SUV that would symbolize the Jeep brand’s renowned North American design and ingenuity, as it would mark the brand’s first entry into the small SUV segment in more than 100 markets around the globe. Last, Renegade had to offer the open-air freedom that dates back to its 1941 roots, with the Willys MB Jeep.

The result is the all-new 2015 Renegade, a vehicle that builds on the Jeep Wrangler’s powerful stance, and features fresh new styling with rugged body forms and aggressive proportions, which enable best-in-class approach and departure angles purposely designed to deliver best-in-class off-road capability. And for segment-exclusive panoramic views, two available “My Sky” open-air roof panel systems conveniently stow to provide passengers open-air freedom with ease.

All-new interior exudes a rugged and energetic appearance  

The all-new Jeep Renegade interior features a rugged and energetic appearance that builds upon Jeep’s legendary brand heritage. This small SUV’s precisely crafted detail, innovative and high-quality colour and material appointments, state-of-the-art technology, and clever storage draw inspiration from contemporary extreme sports gear and lifestyles.

The interior of the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade has a distinctive form language, which Jeep designers have titled “Tek-Tonic.” This new design theme is defined by the intersections of soft and tactile forms with rugged and functional details. Major surfaces, such as the sculpted soft-touch instrument panel, are intersected with bold functional elements like the passenger grab handle – indispensable for off-road adventures and borrowed from its big brother, the legendary Jeep Wrangler. Unique “protective clamp fasteners,” anodized design accents and inspired colours are derived from extreme sports equipment, while the newly familiar “X” shapes inspired by its roof and tail lamps add to Renegade’s Tek-Tonic interior look. And to make sure all of the needed passenger gear fits, the Renegade is designed with an efficient and flexible interior package that includes a fold-forward front-passenger seat and class-exclusive removable, reversible and height-adjustable cargo floor panel.

Class-exclusive “My Sky” roof systems: continuing Jeep brand’s open-air freedom since 1941

Expanding the brand’s open-air freedom that originated with the legendary 1941 Willys MB Jeep, the all-new 2015 Renegade offers two class-exclusive “My Sky” open-air roof systems. With a manual removable, or premium power tilt/slide with removable feature, the innovative “My Sky” roof-panel systems quickly bring the outdoors inside. Designed for convenience, the honeycomb fiberglass polyurethane roof panels are lightweight and stow neatly in the rear cargo area. For added design detail, both “My Sky” roof systems feature a debossed “X” stamped into the roof that exude strength and play on the brand’s utilitarian history.

Best-in-class off-road capability with world-class on-road driving dynamics

Designed and engineered to first and foremost deliver legendary Jeep 4x4 capability, the all-new 2015 Renegade is the first vehicle from Chrysler Group to use the all-new “small-wide 4x4 architecture.”

With its fully independent suspension, capable of up to 205 mm (8.1 inches) of wheel articulation and 220 mm (8.7 inches) of ground clearance (Trailhawk model), Renegade raises the bar in the small SUV segment with best-in-class off-road capability. Extensive use of advanced steels, composites and advanced computer-impact simulations enable the all-new 2015 Renegade’s architecture to deliver world-class torsional stiffness and the Jeep brand’s durability required for Trail Rated adventures. 

The all-new Renegade is the first Jeep SUV to integrate Koni’s frequency selective damping (FSD) front and rear strut system. This damping system enables the Jeep Renegade to deliver world-class road-holding and handling characteristics.

World’s first small SUV with nine-speed automatic transmission

Like the new Jeep Cherokee, the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade has raised the bar — this time in the small SUV class — with the first available nine-speed automatic transmission. When paired with the 2.4-litre Tigershark engine with MultiAir (4x2 or 4x4), the nine-speed transmission delivers numerous benefits customers will appreciate, including aggressive launches, smooth power delivery at highway speeds and improved fuel efficiency versus competitive six-speed automatic transmissions.

Two fuel efficient engines

True to the Jeep brand, the all-new Renegade will offer customers a best-in-class combination of fuel efficiency and off-road capability, including two MultiAir four-cylinder engines: 

2.4-litre Tigershark engine with MultiAir

Efficiency and refinement also are hallmarks of Chrysler Group’s 16-valve, 2.4-litre Tigershark I-4 engine with the MultiAir electro-hydraulic fully variable valve-lift system. The high-tech engine produces 184 horsepower, 177 lb.-ft. of torque and is paired exclusively to the segment’s first nine-speed automatic transmission on 4x2 and 4x4 models. 

The 2.4-litre engine’s MultiAir technology uses a column of oil in place of the traditional mechanical link between the camshaft and intake valves to maximize intake manifold pressure and significantly reduce pumping losses. MultiAir takes the innovation further by simultaneously controlling both valve opening and closing events to more effectively manage combustion quality and compression ratio, all to improve fuel economy and performance.

1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine

The 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo four-cylinder engine offers 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque to provide a spirited driving experience on Jeep Renegade Sport and North 4x2 and 4x4 models. Paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine transmits its power through high-strength components throughout the drivetrain, including equal-length half shafts and a 4.438 final-drive ratio. Boost pressure is dynamically managed to provide a broad torque curve over a wide variety of ambient conditions, with a peak pressure of 22 psi at 4,000 rpm. Innovative MultiAir valve-actuation technology controls intake air cylinder-by-cylinder and stroke-by-stroke, reducing carbon-dioxide emissions and boosting fuel-economy up to 7.5 percent, compared with an engine with conventional valvetrain.

An Eco Mode is also available on the all-new Jeep Renegade, for fuel-efficient drivers.

Segment-exclusive technologies once found only on premium SUVs

The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade offers technology features once found only in upper-segment vehicles, and makes them attainable to customers in the growing small SUV segment – including award-winning Uconnect™ touchscreens and the segment’s largest full-colour instrument cluster.

Uconnect touchscreen radio systems: Award-winning in-vehicle handsfree communication, entertainment and available navigation. Key features available on the Uconnect 5.0 and 6.5AN systems include a 5.0-inch or 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, single or dual-turner, radio data system capability (RDS), digital audio broadcast (DAB), HD Radio, digital media broadcasting (DMB), SiriusXM Radio, USB port and auxiliary audio jack input.

Segment’s largest full-colour instrument cluster display: Filling the Jeep Renegade’s gauge cluster in front of the driver is an available 7-inch, full-colour, premium multiview in-cluster display, featuring a customizable function that enables drivers to personalize information inside the instrument cluster. The information display is designed to visually communicate information, using graphics and text, quickly and easily.

Renegade features up to 70 advanced safety and security features

Safety and security were at the forefront in the development of the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade, setting the stage for up to 70 standard and available safety and security features, including the segment’s first availability of Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking and LaneSense Departure Warning-Plus.

In addition, engineers added both active and passive safety and security features, including available Blind-spot Monitoring; Rear Cross Path detection; ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines; Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and seven standard air bags.

Jeep brand’s global resources

Designed in North America and crafted in Italy, the 2015 Renegade continues the Jeep brand’s dedication to the global marketplace and demonstrates the depths of its available resources. The final assembly location for the Renegade will be at the Melfi Assembly Plant.

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