Jeep Renegade green concept

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Biodiesel Cars & Hybrid Cars

Jeep Renegade green concept

As American as apple pie, Jeep is realising that it needs to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. And the company has given us a glimpse as to how it might manage that with its Renegade concept, highlighting a greener, more planet-friendly future for the SUV maker. The Jeep Renegade was finally unveiled on the second day of the Detroit Show, its advanced propulsion system consisting of a lithium-ion battery and a small turbodiesel engine to allow the Renegade concept to achieve what Jeep confusingly calls "an equivalent petroleum fuel economy of 110mpg." Quite what that means is open to interpretation, but the combination of a 40-mile range lithium-ion battery and a 115bhp Bluetec emissions reducing technology equipped 1.5-litre turbodiesel ensure that this concept turns the idea of polluting, inefficient SUVs on its head. The Renegade's range with the diesel engine is up to 400 miles.

Part of the reason why the Renegade concept is able to achieve such impressive economy figures is down to its compact and lightweight construction. Jeep suggests its 'minimised' two-seater is meant for all-weather fun rock-crawling or dune-surfing. With its four-wheel drive system supplemented by electric motors powering each axle it should be very capable at both, and although its interior is largely exposed to the elements it's able to be hosed out after use. Unlikely to reach production in this guise, expect future Jeep models to feature some sort of hybrid-style system like the Renegade's to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

Kyle Fortune