Jeep has been milking the Renegade for the last ten years, so perhaps it is time for a new generation. Well, it's hypothetical, albeit with a futuristic flair and a zero-emission powertrain.
Can't tell what we're talking about? Don't worry; Jeep didn't unveil a brand-new Renegade while you were sleeping. What we have here is an unofficial digital illustration of the model that taps into its futuristic side and makes us wonder what the company has in store for the future of this nameplate.
The digital illustration shared above came from vburlapp on Instagram and imagines the next-generation Jeep Renegade with an ultra-modern design. It doesn't have anything to do with the current Renegade, as it looks completely different all around. Whether we're looking at the roofline, the tailgate, the three-quarter design, the taillamps, the profile, and so on, everything has fallen victim to the pixel manipulation process.
One might argue that this virtual designer's projects tend to look almost the same, and we won't contradict you. As a matter of fact, the person behind this rendering could have very well said that this is a digital illustration of the next-gen Hyundai Kona. Or the Nissan Juke. Or any other subcompact crossover. And we would've believed it, as other than the logo that decorates the tailgate below the taillamps on the left-hand side, there's nothing Jeep-ish about it.
Photo: Jeep
Now, while the rendering crowd has started developing an appetite for the next-gen Renegade, we will remind you that Jeep dropped it from the United States and Canada a few months ago. The model is still listed on the company's local website, though, with an MSRP of $28,345, thus making the slightly larger Compass the entry-level high-rider, as it kicks off at $25,900.
While it was retired from our market and north of the US border, Jeep gave the Renegade a few updates in Europe at the beginning of the year. The novelties are largely focused on its technology gear, as it has a new 10.1-inch infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital cluster. It also has over-the-air updates, wireless smartphone integration, 4G connectivity, and connected features.
Jeep certainly has the tools and knowledge to develop a new Renegade, and it could also be a battery-electric vehicle. All the automaker has to do is reach out to its parent company, Stellantis, and ask it for access to the Alfa Romeo Junior (former Milano) underpinnings. After all, the latter is about the same size as the Renegade, and could be a great foundation stone for a new generation of Jeep's model.
But would you buy it if they gave it a shot in this configuration? Or would you simply stick to the Compass or perhaps a similar ride from a rival brand?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News