Everyone expected the first-ever electric Jeep to be along the lines of the Wrangler off-roader. However, the American automaker has surprised the world with its new announcement. Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis presented its plans to curb its carbon footprint on its way to achieving full carbon neutrality by 2038. In that presentation, the automaker released the first teaser images of the upcoming Jeep battery electric vehicle. The vehicle is not a Wrangler but resembles the smaller version of the Compass SUV. Here is what we can expect from Jeep’s upcoming small electric crossover.

What We Know About The Upcoming Jeep BEV

Jeep Compact Electric Crossover 2023 Rear

The automaker hasn’t revealed extensive details about the model at the moment. Currently, we have been simply offered a look at the exterior design. It suggests the car would largely resemble a scaled-down version of the Jeep Compass. Looking at the front styling, the Jeep seven-slot signature grille is closed off and features a small ‘e’ badge. The headlight that flanks it on either side uses a brow-like DRL on top, with smoked-out main lights below it. At the back, the electric SUV has a sporty hatchback-like stance. It is wide, and the taillights feature an in-set design that looks extremely cool. They also feature the Jeep X-signature with a smoked-out appearance.

The large wheel arches are filled well with the big wheels, however, we believe that would be scaled down for the production model. The split-tone floating roof design gives the Jeep BEV an interesting, and sporty look. The rear door handles have been placed on the C-pillars instead of the doors. This not only gives it a 3-door appearance but is likely to improve the drag-co-efficiency of the vehicle. Overall, the vehicle sports a conventional design.

As a Jeep, the model could come equipped with a dual-motor setup. It would be natural to offer a four-wheel drive, essential to the Jeep brand. However, it is likely to be a higher spec option. The electric Jeep crossover will be built in Europe alongside other Stellantis brand models that use a common platform.

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What We Don’t Know Yet About The Upcoming Jeep BEV

Jeep Compact Electric Crossover 2023 Front Styling

The only badges featured on the car include the Jeep brand logos and a small ‘e’ badge at the front and back. At this moment, Jeep has not revealed or suggested what the production model would be called.

The model is likely to share the same platform as the upcoming models of other brands under the Stellantis umbrella like the Alfa Romeo Brennero, or the new-generation Peugeot e-2008. The Jeep BEV will use Stellantis’ STLA Small platform; an updated version of the Peugeot EMP1 platform. The same EV platform design is used on cars like the Citroen DS3 Crossback, Peugeot e-208, and the Opel Corsa e. However, none of those vehicles offer a dual-motor option. While all-wheel-drive is essential for a Jeep, the platform it is expected to use may not be able to accommodate the feature. However, it could be altered to feature a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. Understandably, it would be bizarre to have a single front motor-only electric Jeep.

Should the platform be modified for dual-motor design, we expect other models that use the same platform to begin offering the same. But all-wheel-drive would most probably be left reserved for the higher-spec models and not standard. Even for the Jeep BEV.

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The Dare Forward 2030 Strategic Plan Of Stellantis

Jeep Compact Electric Crossover 2023 Rear Styling

The Jeep BEV is a part of the nine-year Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan of Stellantis. The automotive conglomerate is looking to transition all 14 brands to feature electrified vehicles in their line-ups.

The renderings released by the company suggest the product is close to production-ready. We expect to see minor changes to the final production model. Stellantis has confirmed that the new Jeep compact urban SUV will go on sale in early 2023. Production is said to start in November 2022 and will be manufactured at the Tychy plant in Poland. The company further added that a pure off-road model (likely to be an electric Wrangler) and a family SUV will hit the streets in 2024. Jeep CEO also went on to add that by 2025, the brand will offer an electric vehicle in every sector. By 2026, EVs are projected to account for 100 percent of the brand’s sales in Europe.

It is unclear if the small electric urban SUV from Jeep will make it to the American market. However, we can expect the larger products that will follow to be sold in the US. Jeep, and especially the other brands under the Stellantis umbrella, are relatively late to the EV party. However, as the company now sets ambitious targets for itself, we feel that it will arrive with all guns blazing.