FCA Delivers Two 4xe Jeep Renegades to RSE

The program ends in late 2020, when the  Renegade 4xe models  return to FCA for analysis of their condition.

At Mirafiori Motor Village in Turin today, e-Mobility by FCA delivered two Jeep Renegade 4xe models to RSE* (Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico – Energy Systems Research), under an agreement where the plug-in hybrids will be driven for six months to prepare reports on how they work to know customers’ normal usage.

“Working mainly on an application and experimental basis, we ensure consistency in the continuation of ongoing research and in the development of new frontiers for the entire Italian energy system,” RSE said.

The Jeep Renegade 4xe models delivered today will be used by RSE as pooled corporate vehicles and for personal use, to replace the current models in the company’s fleet. The tests will also evaluate the advantages of these new cars in terms of consumption and costs.

The medium-term objective at RSE is to electrify its fleet for use in an experimental case study. FCA says it is interested in enabling potential customers to test their cars in real-world scenarios and views the agreement as an opportunity for cooperation. The joint program will conclude in late 2020, when the Jeep Renegade 4xe testing models are returned to FCA for technician analysis of their condition.

A range of issues will be checked during the tests to evaluate the two cars’ technical specifications and performance. Fuel consumption will be analyzed in different ways over replicable “medium to long” routes (departures with varying battery charge levels, using hybrid mode or combustion engine mode only, etc.) and “short” routes, to evaluate factors such as range in electric mode, variations according to route, weather conditions and vehicle load, and to investigate the possibility of using the cars with an empty fuel tank.

The data gathered during the tests will be highly significant – it’s hoped – for FCA technicians, who may receive an amount of information in a short period of time that would only have come to light after a much longer period of usage by customers. FCA should be responsive of any critical issues that may arise and fix them before normal use by customers.
The Jeep Renegade 4xe have 190 horsepower Limited trim with – 17” wheels, integrated navigator, LED headlights, the Dusk & Rain, Parking and Function packs, privacy glass and Adaptive Cruise Control.

*RSE conducts research in the electrical sector. The company works in tandem with local and central governments to support manufacturing in conjunction with small and medium-sized enterprises and consumer associations. With 350 employees and more than 250 researchers, RSE claims to provide research and development services for the entire electrical energy supply chain.