THE first electrified model to be offered by Jeep in the UK will be on the road in the autumn with the arrival of the Renegade 4xe.

With a zero emission range of up to 26 miles it is a plug-in hybrid with four-wheel-drive ability thanks to a rear axle driven purely by an electric motor.

The Renegade 4xe has two electric motors giving it a top speed of 124mph, a theoretical fuel return of up to 134mpg and overall CO2 emissions are said to be less than 50g/km.

Three trim levels will be offered in the UK with the range topping out at £36,500 for a heavy duty Trailhawk variant.

Recharging the battery can be done on the move with the vehicle in hybrid mode or from a wallbox where it takes less than five hours for a full charge from a domestic supply. From a Jeep wallbox the recharge time can be reduced to less than two hours.

As a plug-in hybrid the Renegade 4xe has a 1.3-litre petrol engine mated to two electric motors - one driving each axle.

Total power output is 190hp in the entry level Longitude and mid-range Limited models priced from £32,600 and £34,500 respectively while the Trailhawk has more power at 240hp.

Acceleration time 0 to 60 is said to be 7.5 seconds with an electric-only maximum of 81mph. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

A variety of drive modes are available with two main electric settings allowing for hybrid driving or electric only operation. The other modes allow for saving battery power or for maximising recharging up to 80 per cent of battery capacity while on the move.

Other modes are similar to those of the regular models and include settings for sport as well as the Selec-Terrain system for off-road situations such as rocks, mud and snow.

There are also configurations for locking the drive to all four wheels for negotiating serious terrain.

Jeep says the Renegade 4xe has full off-road ability and that the installation of the battery pack has had only slight impact on boot space which is down some 20 litres to 330 litres compared to its conventionally powered counterparts.

Other changes over the regular model include a blue colour theme for the badges while the charging port is located at the rear left hand side.

Software changes give additional information about the hybrid and electric operation but otherwise the 4xe basically has the same equipment onboard as all other Renegades.

The Renegade 4xe is built in Italy at the FCA plant at Melfi and the company says it offers the best overall performance and driving dynamics of any Jeep SUV ever.

Other hybrid models are already slated to join the Jeep line up including a PHEV version of the slightly larger Compass SUV.