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The American off-road vehicle brand Jeep is parting with its diesel engines in Europe, instead relying on turbo petrol engines with a 48-volt electrical system, as with the compact SUV Compass. That's frugal too.
The cult brand Jeep with its well-known off-road vehicles and various SUV models, it was never suspected of being a specialist in fuel-efficient cars. Logically, after all Jeep comes from the USA, the local fan base is particularly suspicious when it comes to electric drives such as plug-in hybrids or even pure Stromer. It's completely different in Europe: 25 percent of all jeeps sold in all series had a plug-in hybrid under the tin, in Germany even more than a third. For the cheaper front-wheel drive variants of the smaller series such as Compass and Renegade, so-called mild hybrids now curb the thirst for petrol and replace the previous diesel models.
No plug for the compass
With a length of 4,40 meters, the Compass competes in the compact SUV class and is available for just under 40.000 euros. It is intended for people who finally want to drive a real Jeep, but can do without all-wheel drive and also want to save themselves the time-consuming charging at a charging station.
With the Compass e-Hybrid, thanks to the word "hybrid", there is a touch of a clear conscience, even if it does not have the option of recharging at the socket. A 15 kW/20 hp electric motor is hidden in the housing of the seven-speed double clutch and can take on various functions thanks to a 48-volt power supply system, since it makes the usual power guzzlers such as the starter or alternator superfluous.
Starting off as a streamer
The whole range of possibilities is revealed during the first test drive. Unlike many other cars with this system, the Compass can also drive when the 1,5 liter turbo petrol engine is not active. For example, when starting off purely electrically until the combustion engine starts. But that only takes a few seconds. The electric drive is also helpful in traffic jams when the snake keeps crawling. The vehicle in front rolls up, simply release the brake in the compass and the jeep follows its alpha wolf purely electrically to the next stop.
The existing power is also sufficient for simple parking maneuvers in reverse gear. Activities that the driver can influence by tapping on various driving modes on the touchscreen monitor if he remembers the capabilities of his compass in good time. All in all, these functions help to reduce petrol consumption to almost the same level as diesel. This also includes the ability to generate electricity when braking or coasting, which then flows back into the battery.
When driving, especially on the motorway and federal roads, the electronics take over the supreme command of the sophisticated system. The occupants hardly notice the restless hustle and bustle of the constantly recharged battery and its electric motor. An exception is the excursion on winding terrain. When you step on the right pedal vigorously, for example when exiting a corner, the electric partner adds its power to that of the combustion engine. The additional boost thanks to 55 Newton meters more torque is definitely noticeable for a short time, the humming of the rather small petrol engine is audible.
Much as standard equipment
Regardless of the drive, the Compass turns out to be a handy, everyday vehicle that is not stingy with technical refinements. Everything that shines on the outside uses LED light, plus traffic sign recognition, distance radar or an emergency brake assistant with pedestrian and cyclist recognition. All this is standard, as is a reversing camera. The Compass also uses the network called U-Connect to connect to the digital outside world, so that this Jeep can also be reached from home via an app.
Since there is no taxpayer money as a reward for the new mild hybrids, success is questionable. Especially since there are various purely electric cars for the starting price of 39.600 euros, some of which also serve the desire for an SUV. And for them, at least in the near future, there will still be plenty of start-up help from Berlin.
Technical data
Five-door compact sedan SUV; Length: 4,40 meters, width without exterior mirrors: 1,87 meters, height: 1,65 meters, wheelbase: 2,64 meters, trunk volume: 438-1.367 liters
1,5 liter four-cylinder petrol engine, 96 kW/130 hp, maximum torque: 240 Nm, 48 volt electrical system, 15 kW/20 hp electric motor in the automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, seven-speed double-clutch automatic, 0-100 km /h:10,0 s, Vmax: 193 km/h, standard consumption (WLTP) 5,7 - 6,1 liters/100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 129 - 139 g/km, emission standard: Euro 6 d final, efficiency class : n/a Price: from € 39.600
In brief
Why: Because you've always wanted to drive a real jeep - even without all-wheel drive
Why not: Because next year there will also be a purely electric Jeep
What else: smaller Jeep Renegade with the same technology
When does he come: Good to have
