With the V8 on the brink of extinction for Stellantis, it seems it needs a replacement for displacement when it comes to its high-performance cars and electric looks to be a big part of the answer. We’ll soon get a first taste of a seriously powerful Jeep EV thanks to the 600bhp Wagoneer S, which the brand itself has just accidentally leaked photos of.
Jeep released a shadowy teaser image of the car’s front end recently, but accidentally posted a pair of images to Facebook showing the entire car. These were swiftly taken down, but now, we finally have some official images.
As we saw in the teaser, the iconic Jeep seven-slot grille has a minimalist, backlit design – after all, it’s now more a nod to the brand’s past than a functional part. Things get even more interesting at the rear, where the windscreen drops away dramatically and a floating spoiler carries on the roofline. The whole car has a low, sleek look, which we’d say has more than a hint of Range Rover Velar – no bad thing.
Oh, and It’ll have 600bhp. Crikey. It’s unclear at this stage how exactly that performance will be produced – we’d gamble on a dual-motor setup – or what sort of weight it’ll need to shift. It’ll definitely be all-wheel-drive though, utilising Jeep’s 4xe branding which it says is ‘transforming into the new 4×4 pursuit of the brand’s vision of accomplishing Zero Emission Freedom’.
We also now know it’ll be based on Stellantis’ STLA Large EV platform, which will go on to underpin larger EVs from Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Dodge and Chrysler. The Wagoneer S is the first of eight vehicles using this platform planned for a reveal between now and 2026.
Little other technical information has been given, other than Jeep stating a 3.5 second 0-60mph time. Just to reiterate this is a Wagoneer, and it’s supposedly as quick as a brand-new Porsche 911 Carrera S.
Jeep has confirmed the Wagoneer S will be available in the US in Autumn this year before arriving in ‘key markets’. Whether the UK or Europe comes under that umbrella remains to be seen, although Mopar Insiders do point out that the tailgate looks designed to accommodate European-sized number plates. If it does come here, it’ll be the second electric Jeep on our shores, following on from the Avenger crossover – a very different prospect altogether.
There’s a chance the Wagoneer S’ powertrain could give a hint to at least one variation of the upcoming Dodge Charger Daytona too, also arriving later this year. At the reveal of the latter’s concept, it was announced multiple power outputs would be available – so it’s certainly not off the cards for being one of the more potent offerings at launch.
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