Jeep Compass and Renegade Get MHEV Tech in Europe

• Jeep introduces e-Hybrid mild-hybrid systems to turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engines in the European-market Compass and Renegade.

• The MHEV systems allow for electric-only starts and crawling speeds, as well as regenerative braking and e-Coasting the recovers energy during deceleration.

• The front-wheel-drive models will be offered in Europe, where hybrids of all types are in high demand, including 4xe PHEV Jeeps.

Plug-in hybrids aren't the only type of hybrid powertrains that Jeep is embracing. The automaker has just unveiled a mild-hybrid (MHEV) powertrain, dubbed e-Hybrid, in two of its existing models, with the Renegade and Compass gaining this option. They will share showroom space next to the current 4xe PHEV models, but only in Europe for now.

Meant to be an entry point into electrified Jeeps, the e-Hybrid system pairs new turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engines good for 130 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, part of Stellantis' Global Small Engine family, with a built-in 48-Volt (20-hp) electric motor producing an extra 40 lb-ft of torque, said to be equivalent to 100 lb-ft at the gearbox level. The engines themselves are paired with new, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

One tradeoff, however, is that these are front-wheel-drive models.