Click the Jeep Renegade for a high-res gallery

While the current small Jeeps - the Compass and Patriot - are no great shakes, the off-road icon has created a concept that really jump-starts the brand's green image. The Renegade is a small B-class sized open-air two-seater designed to maintain Jeep's off-road credentials. The power-train however is something unlike any other Jeep. A pair of 268 electric motors power each axle of the vehicle. In keeping with Jeep's Trail Rated image, the each motor has a step down low-range gear available along with locking differentials.

A 16kWh lithium ion battery pack can propel the Renegade for up to forty miles. At that point, a 1.5L three cylinder diesel engine kicks in to drive a generator that charges the battery pack. The 115hp diesel is equipped with BlueTec emissions control system to clean up the NOx and particulate emissions. With 10 gallons of diesel in the fuel tank, the Renegade has an estimated range of 400 miles although Chrysler also quotes combined fuel economy of 110mpg. Presumably the 40 mpg range is based a single plug-in charge and continuous driving to empty. The 110mpg is probably based on a more typical shorter range driving cycle and includes several charges.

[Source: Chrysler]