2021 is a special year for Jeep® as the brand marks its 80th birthday with a celebration of eight decades of 4×4 leadership, open-air freedom and adventure.
The Jeep legend began in 1941 with the fabled Willys MB – the first ever mass-produced 4×4 vehicle – and grew over the decades with the constant launch of new products building an enduring reputation that has seen the brand become synonymous with off-road excellence.
But constant innovation have seen the legend evolve, with comfort, handling and connectivity now every bit as much of the Jeep DNA as its off-road prowess.
Now, as the Jeep brand celebrates its eighth decade, it is entering the next exciting phase in its history; embracing the future with the ambition to become a leader in sustainable mobility technologies. This is the mission of a brand strongly rooted in tradition, yet one with the ability to evolve constantly to meet new customer targets and the environmental issues of the imminent future.
This, of course, involves electrification and the brand entered a new era with the launch of its first plug-in hybrid models in the EMEA region – the new Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe – in 2020.
As the first two vehicles to carry the 4xe badge, Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe are Jeep’s take on electrification and offer zero-emission mobility, when driving in full electric mode. This has been coupled with the all-terrain safety of the Jeep eAWD system that activates when needed to provide the best possible balance between efficiency, driving fun and attention to the environment. Since their launch in September, 4xe models have generated huge interest, with 10,500 orders placed. In fact, the new models have proved so successful that, in the last three months of 2020, one in every five Jeep vehicles purchased in Europe was a 4xe.
The 80th anniversary celebrations will play out across through the whole of 2021, with dedicated events created to bring customers and enthusiasts closer to the brand and its heritage. The first event took place today with a web conference, where Antonella Bruno, Head of Jeep Brand EMEA, unveiled the new ’80th Anniversary‘ special-edition models. Not only do these models pay tribute to the brand’s 80-year history, they also continue the long-established tradition, started in 1966, of producing special-edition models to mark special anniversaries or achievements.
New ’80th Anniversary‘ special-edition models
The star of 2021 will be the ’80th Anniversary‘ special series, the celebratory limited-edition models available on Renegade, Compass, Wrangler and Gladiator. Each ‘80th Anniversary‘ model is based on the best-selling variant, and offers standard safety and technology features alongside aesthetic flourishes that make them truly unique.
The first Jeep ’80th Anniversary‘ model to debut is the Renegade, which is already available at Jeep dealerships across Europe. Compass, Wrangler and Gladiator ’80th Anniversary‘ will arrive in spring.
Although there are many differences between these Jeep SUVs in terms of size and character, they all share an unmistakable look, courtesy of specific design cues, including ’80th Anniversary‘ badging enriched by low-gloss Granite Crystal accents; diamond-pattern cloth seats with tungsten stitching and ’80th Anniversary‘ logo; interior high-gloss black accents and logo tag on seats and mats. Dedicated alloy wheels complete the exterior look of the new commemorative models.
Powered by internal combustion engines and Jeep plug-in hybrid systems, they will also be packed full of advanced technology and safety features, as all of which enhances Jeep’s unparalleled 4×4 capability.
New high-tech content includes 8.4- to 10.1-inch touchscreens, DAB radio and navigation with smartphone integration and UconnectTM services, full LED pack and new ’Since 1941‘ infotainment system screen.
The ’80th Anniversary‘ special edition will also be the first version of New Compass to debut in the European market, ahead of the official launch of the new model with a dedicated event later this year.
In the last few days, production of the New Compass for the European market commenced at the FCA plant in Melfi (Italy), while orders will soon open in Italy and Germany – first markets to introduce the new model in the region.
A year of exclusive events and services for all members of the Jeep family
This year’s product news will be accompanied by special communications initiatives and dedicated events, to bring even more customers and enthusiasts closer to the Jeep tradition.
One such initiative is Jeep Wave, the new programme offering Jeep owners exclusive services and a special benefits to enhance their sense of belonging to the community at the heart of the Jeep experience around the world.
Jeep Wave will be offered from January on the ’80th Anniversary‘ special series and all 2021-purchased or leased Jeep vehicles. It is marked out by a logo inspired by the traditional greeting of Jeep owners – a raised hand waving, or two or four fingers extended upward from the steering wheel. This gesture of friendship is part of Jeep history, and all ‘Jeepers’ are pleased to uphold this tradition.
The main benefits of Jeep Wave include: the first two scheduled vehicle services (within 24 months of the purchase), thanks to the ’EASY CARE‘ two-year maintenance programme, a 24/7 roadside assistance service, a Priority Customer Service provided by a dedicated, multi-lingual Jeep Call Center and privileged entry to brand events and partnerships. The new Jeep Wave program has already been launched in the main European markets and all the others will follow in the coming months.
80 years of innovations, now making the brand a leader in a more sustainable future
Of course, there have been many changes since 1941, but the way Jeep conceives its vehicles – and how most owners live them everyday – have been constants. This has created the global perception of Jeep as a symbol of freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion.
Just think back to the 1941 Willys MB, followed in 1949 by the four-wheel drive Willys Wagon, that kicked off the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) category, and the ‘invention’ of the ‘Premium’ SUV with the Wagoneer in 1963. In its eight decades of history, Jeep has always been a pioneer of new segments and new technologies. It is now ready to write a new page in its long history with the new Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe models.
These pioneers will be soon joined by the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid – the most technologically advanced and capable Wrangler ever – unveiled last September in Detroit (USA). Among other epic journeys, the new model has recently managed to complete – in full-electric mode – the Rubicon Trail on the Sierra Nevada mountain range, one of the world’s most challenging off-road tails and the terrain Jeep has long used to test and improve the off-road capability of its SUVs.
Jeep Wrangler ‘“80th Anniversary’
The iconic Jeep Wrangler is also available as exclusive ’80th Anniversary‘ special-edition model, featuring distinctive design elements such as Neutral Grey Metallic grille, headlamp and fog lamp bezels and specific 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels with Granite Crystal accents. Full LED high-visibility headlamps, body-colour hard top and the special ’80th Anniversary‘ badge on the front fender flares add to the aesthetic characterisation and mark the exclusivity of this commemorative special-edition model.
The interior features black leather seats with tungsten stitching and the ’80th Anniversary‘ badge, along with a leather wrapped dashboard with contrast stitching and specific black mats. Standard technology content includes the Uconnect™ 8.4 NAV system with 8.4-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 7-inch TFT display and a 9-speaker Alpine audio system with a 552W subwoofer.
Standard safety features include Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection, rear camera, front and rear parking sensors, Keyless Enter ‘N Go™ and electric rearview mirrors.
The new Wrangler ’80th Anniversary‘ special-edition model will be available in Europe in spring with a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine delivering 272 hp and 400 Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and with the advanced Jeep plug-in hybrid system fitted on the 4xe version.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the most capable Wrangler ever. It offers a maximum combined output of 380 hp, courtesy of the pairing of two electric motor-generators, a high-voltage battery pack, a high-tech turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.
This is the most advanced powertrain ever developed and fitted to the Jeep icon, and it optimises efficiency of consumption and CO2 emissions, offering the option to drive in full-electric mode with a range of up to 50 km*. The electric powertrain is also perfectly integrated into the 4×4 system, enhancing the off-road performance of the Jeep Wrangler.
For 2021, the Wrangler has been made even more efficient, safe and suitable for both everyday driving needs and off-road adventures, courtesy of the Euro 6D-Final-compliant 2.0-litre petrol engine, front camera for on- and off-road driving (standard on Rubicon and optional on Sahara and 80th Anniversary). New to the Rubicon is the Offroad+ mode which specifically calibrates the kinematic chain and chassis to tackle sand and rocks on extreme off-road trails, exploiting all the capability of the Rock Trac 4×4 system. For the first time, body-colour fender flares, roof and half doors are available on the Rubicon (half doors are also available on Sahara).
2021 Jeep Wrangler 80th Anniversary Edition.
