By Edward A. Sanchez — April 3, 2023
While there are some who still see EVs as a sinister imposition of a socialist, collectivist agenda, the negative sentiment seems to be slowly fading as they’re realizing the objective benefits of EV drivetrains. One trait that’s winning friends and influencing people is EVs’ generally abundant power and torque, typically greater than their ICE equivalents. Jeep put this in full, glorious display with its Wrangler Magneto 3.0 concept unveiled just ahead of the annual four-wheel-drive mecca known as the Moab Easter Jeep Safari.
As alluded to by the numerical designation, this is not the first Magneto concept. The first Magneto, shown before Easter Jeep Safari in 2021, took a more conservative approach to electrification, with motor output largely mirroring that of the conventional Wrangler, with a relatively modest 285 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, nearly identical to the output of the 3.6L Pentastar V6 Wrangler. At the time, project engineers said they wanted to provide a familiar and comfortable feel to the vehicle that largely mimicked the conventional ICE Wrangler.
The next year, the Magneto 2.0 concept cranked the excitement and output knob to 11 and beyond with an output of 625 hp and 825 lb-ft of torque, more than doubling the output of the previous year’s concept. Like the first Magneto, it retained a six-speed manual transmission, something that from a purely objective engineering standpoint, is largely unnecessary on an EV.
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Enter Magneto 3.0. Like the first two concepts, it retains a six-speed manual. Its selectable drive modes let the driver choose between a tame 285 hp/273 lb-ft output of the first Magneto, or a trail-dominating 650 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain features multiple drive modes which allow for one-pedal operation on-road or off – hill descent control. Jeep claims the new drivetrain is 20% more efficient, resulting in enhanced usable energy and range. Off-road purists will be pleased by the no-nonsense hardware of Dynatrac 60 front and Dynatrac 80 rear axles and 5.38 ring and pinions.
There were several other concepts shown, including one powered by a 392 Hemi V8, several variations of the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid, and one of the more interesting variants, a 1978 full-sized Jeep Cherokee powered by the Wrangler 4xe 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo PHEV drivetrain.
The Jeep brand occupies a unique space both domestically and internationally, being seen as uniquely American, while at the same time being one of (legacy) FCA’s best-selling brands globally. While it’s still going out in a blaze of internal-combustion glory with the (now-discontinued) Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler Rubicon 392, it’s embracing the future with the Wrangler 4xe, as well as the fully-electric Avenger (Europe-only, for now) and the Recon concept.
Aside from full-size pickup owners, Jeep owners (and Wrangler owners in particular) are some of the most traditional buyers on the market. Jeep has a hard-earned reputation for off-road capability and ease of customization, something that it will need to retain as it transitions into the future. While the Magneto concepts may not be representative of the eventual, inevitable Wrangler EV, it’s encouraging to see that the Jeep brand managers are aware of the importance of maintaining the brand’s reputation among off-road enthusiasts.
(Images courtesy Jeep)
