What is the hybrid Jeep and smaller than Renegade that will be manufactured in the region and will arrive in Argentina?

Jeep It launched the Avenger model last year in Europe, a compact SUV that sits below the Renegade. And this is the model that is now rumored to be manufactured in the region and that should reach the Argentine market.

Clarion was able to confirm with his own source the rumor that began to circulate in Brazil that This model will be manufactured in the plant that originally belonged to Peugeot Citroën and that is in Rio de Janeiro. The version was published by the specialized site Auto Secret. It is assumed that, if it is manufactured in Brazil, it will reach the Argentine market.

Originally this model was designed almost exclusively for the Old Continent. In fact, it was going to be the first Jeep that was not going to be sold in the US market. However, the evolution of the Stellantis group is beginning to show its true scope.

The mega conglomerate of brands, which includes Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Ram, among many others, had announced a monumental investment of 6 billion dollars for Brazil. A good part of that amount was already destined. This week the last section was confirmed and part of that will be to manufacture a new model.

There will be 600 million dollars that will go to the Porto Real (Rio de Janeiro) factory, which today was almost exclusively used by the CItroën brand, since the new C3 family is produced there, including the C3 Aircross and the next Basalt, in addition to the C4 Cactus. But soon the Jeep model will be added.

The appearance of the Avenger was part of the expansion plan that Jeep carries out around the world. The big leap that the most famous 4×4 brand made was with models like Renegade and Compass, with a more popular scope than what the brand had offered until now in its entire history.

But electromobility trends and the need to continue expanding gave rise to the Avenger, a vehicle originally intended as electric and intended primarily for the European market.

It is, furthermore, the first Jeep vehicle built on an old PSA platform (Peugeot Citroën). Called CMP, today it is used in Argentina for the production of models such as the 208 and, soon, the 2008. Being a “multi-energy” platform, that is, it can receive both combustion engine and electrified versions, it was appropriate for the Jeep needs.

But the announced plans changed and Avenger was also announced with hybrid propulsion systems. That was the window that opened for Mercosur, where 100% electric cars still do not have the presence that exists in other markets and where the move towards hybridization is seen as very strong in the coming years.

At the moment there is no official confirmation from Jeep or Stellantis that the new model that will be manufactured in Rio de Janeiro will be the Avenger. The truth is that both the source of Clarion like the publication of Auto Secrets They agree that the smallest model of the father of the 4×4 will be manufactured in the region.

What’s more, in the neighboring country they are already talking about the internal name that the future model received: Project 516 or JJ, for Jeep Junior. They also estimate that the launch date is scheduled for the first half of 2026.

The design of the new Jeep model is closer to a crossover than an SUV. Due to size and positioning it is below a Renegade. The Avenger measures 4.08 meters long, 1.78 wide, 1.53 high and has a wheelbase of 2.56. While a Renegade measures 4.27 meters long, 1.80 wide, 1.70 high and 2.57 wheelbase. The trunk, however, is larger in the smallest model: 380 liters versus 320.

Inside it has a very current style and is similar to 100% electric models, a condition with which the Avenger was born: a minimalist interior, with large digital screens and few analog elements.

In addition to the original electric version with which it was presented, variants with combustion engines and hybrids were added in Europe. In fact, a version with all-wheel drive includes one combustion engine and two electric ones.

But for the region, according to the Brazilian press, the Avenger will receive the announced Bio-Hybrid system, announced by Stellantis to be developed in the neighboring country and which will be available for the group’s other brands.