Jeep has brought its first electric vehicle model, the Wagoneer S, to the freezing and rugged terrains of New Zealand for testing ahead of market launch.
Wagoneer S undergoes rigorous testing before hitting the market
In a LinkedIn post on Thursday, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa announced plans to finally launch the 2024 Wagoneer S in the United States and Canada later this year, with global shipments following in 2025.
Before the official market launch, the iconic American brand decided to put the Jeep Wagoneer S through New Zealand’s tundra. This initiative will determine if the model fulfills the rugged SUV brand’s standards.
Per CEO Filosa, Jeep engineers are “perfecting the incredible vehicle dynamics and performance of the all-new Jeep Wagoneer S.”
The shared images display a bright blue Jeep Wagoneer S on a cloudy winter day. The extreme weather condition in New Zealand at the time of the testing makes it a perfect testing location for the Wagoneer S to challenge its all-electric capabilities.
As the Jeep boss noted, the Wagoneer S offers the iconic 4xe capability, exclusive Selec-Terrain traction control system (Auto, Snow, Sport, Eco, and Sand), and sleek aerodynamic design.
“We want to ensure that our customers feel confident when they get behind the wheel of their Jeep Wagoneer S and that it responds the way they expect.”
Alison Rahm, Chief Engineer of Jeep Wagoneer S.
Jeep Wagoneer S design
Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa proudly asserts that the Wagoneer S electric SUV is “distinctively a Jeep and 100% electric.”
The Wagoneer S features the brand’s iconic rugged design elements with contemporary elements for the electric vehicle era.
For instance, it has a redesigned seven-slot grille and ambient cast lighting. It also features a closed grille, enhancing its sporty front appearance.
Inside, the new Jeep electric SUV offers the brand’s latest technologies and software, including the “best-in-class” display with 45″ of space.
Power and performance
The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S rides on the STLA Large platform. It yields a maximum output of 600 horsepower and 617 lb-ft of torque.
It can reportedly accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, like the Tesla Model Y Performance.
In addition, the electric SUV features a large 100 kWh battery that can deliver a driving range of more than 300 miles. It can also support fast charging of 20%-80% in just 23 minutes.
The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition’s base price is definitely not cheap at $71,995. The American brand also announced plans to launch an off-road-focused Trailhawk edition to challenge the likes of the Rivian R1S.
The Wagoneer S is expected to arrive at US dealerships this fall, potentially attracting customers from competitors. Jeep admitted it targets “Tesla… but there are many others.”
After launching the Wagoneer S, Jeep seeks to further expand its EV lineup with the introduction of the Wrangler-inspired Recon.
