Jeep Wrangler Magneto EV concept debuts with a manual transmission

KUALA LUMPUR: The American automaker Jeep usually introduces new concept vehicles at its annual Easter Safari event. In 2020, the show got cancelled due to the pandemic, but for this year it is all set to be staged in its full glory from March 27 to April 4 in Moab, Utah. Ahead of the event, the company brings a range of Jeep concept models that preview upcoming vehicles. These include the highly-awaited fully electric Wrangler dubbed as the Magneto, Jeepster Beach, Jeep Red Bare, and Jeep Orange Peelz. The models pay tribute to the brand’s heritage and show off an impressive range of OEM accessories.

Speaking about the Wrangler Magneto, the two-door concept is decked up in a striking bright white and blue colour scheme with styling tweaks like uprated lights, performance-inspired hood, and revamped tailgate. Adding to the off-roading capabilities are a 2-inch lift kit, 17-inch wheels shod with 35-inch tyres, a roll cage, and meatier bumpers with a front winch.

The Wrangler Magneto concept gets a single-motor powertrain that is said to offer the same performance as the standard Wrangler's 3.5-litre Pentastar petrol V6 mill i.e. 285 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque. This pushes the Jeep for the century sprint of 6.8 seconds and delivers "unmistakable rock-climbing force". For sending power to the wheels, the automaker brings on board a six-speed manual gearbox with a clutch, which is quite unusual.

Coming to the battery packs, the motor is powered by four lithium-ion batteries that deliver a combined power of 70 kilowatt-hours. The engineers placed one battery under the bonnet, one at the rear storage, and the remaining two at either side of the former fuel tank. The batteries are equipped with 800V hardware for rapid charging. Jeep has not quoted any cruising range for the Magneto concept, but we can expect 220 miles per charge from a 70-kWh battery capacity, which would likely rise with smaller tyres.

Well, this is just a concept and for the production-ready pure Wrangler EV, we have to wait. Alongside the EV development, Jeep is also building a network of solar-powered chargers around some famous off-road trails to encourage all-electric trail-running.

Also read: All-new Jeep Grand Cherokee: First impression