Jeep Avenger petrol mild-hybrid likely for Australia

After launching the electric version, Jeep is set to expand its city SUV line-up with petrol models that could be the brand’s most affordable new cars.

A mild-hybrid petrol version of the Jeep Avenger city electric SUV is firming for Australia as a new entry point – on size and possibly price – to the US brand’s range.

The Avenger has launched in Australia as an electric vehicle, priced from $49,990 plus on-road costs – the first in the company’s range.

But as electric-car demand cools – and battery-powered vehicles continue to only account for about 10 per cent of the market – Jeep is likely to add a more affordable petrol model.

MORE: Jeep backflips on electric plans, adds petrol version of new Avenger electric car in more countries

“At the moment we’re excited to launch the BEV [battery-electric vehicle],” Stellantis Australia product manager for small and compact models, Bridget Thomson, told Australian media at the Avenger BEV’s launch event.

“But I definitely wouldn’t rule out any future powertrain enhancement in the future.”

Pressed on plans for cheaper petrol Avengers, Thomson said: “I don’t want to rule any specific powertrains out. But I do think that there’s more opportunity for this car outside of just the BEV.”

In Europe, base-model Avengers are powered by a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine matched with a six-speed manual transmission.

MORE: Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid – What’s the difference?

Given manuals account for only a few per cent of new-car sales, a mild-hybrid version of the 1.2-litre engine is offered with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Unlike other mild-hybrid vehicles, the Avenger e-Hybrid can be driven at low speeds on electric power – though only for about a kilometre, and at speeds below 30km/h – and claims fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km.

The e-Hybrid combines a 74kW/205Nm petrol engine with a 21kW/55Nm electric motor integrated into the transmission, and a small 0.9kWh battery pack running at 48 volts that is mounted under the driver’s seat.

An all-wheel-drive ‘4xe’ version is available, with a 100kW/230Nm petrol engine and another 21kW motor on the rear axle. Jeep says it can climb 40 per cent grades, aided by optional all-terrain tyres.

Prices for a mild-hybrid Avenger in Australia are of course yet to be confirmed, but in Italy – where small Jeep cars are popular – the electric variant costs about 40 per cent more than the front-wheel-drive mild-hybrid.

It could mean prices ranging from about $36,000 to $44,000 plus on-road costs in Australia, undercutting the Compass e-Hybrid ($45,990) as the brand’s most affordable new model.

It would become Jeep’s cheapest new car since an update to the Compass range pushed it above the $30,000 mark in 2020.

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