--- title: "Jeep Says It’s Not Making a Wrangler EV Yet To ‘Protect’ the Brand" date: "2024-06-04" modified: "2024-06-04" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/jeep-says-its-not-making-a-wrangler-ev-yet-to-protect-the-brand" categories: - "Jeep News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Jeep" - "suv/crossover" - "Wrangler" --- # Jeep Says It’s Not Making a Wrangler EV Yet To ‘Protect’ the Brand ![]() *Jeep* Few cars in history are as famous as the [Jeep](). And for nearly 40 years, Jeep has been building rugged, off-roading SUVs and calling them Wranglers. With its utilitarian simplicity, removable top and doors, the Wrangler sports a special formula that went unchallenged for years until the Ford Bronco came back just recently. This formula is special, and it's one that Jeep protects at all costs. That's exactly why the brand's first electric off-roader will be the upcoming Recon and not the [Wrangler](). While the Wrangler name didn't debut until the 1980s, its layout is interwoven with Jeep's DNA. It has been since World War II. Fans who are loyal to the brand are familiar with that and they love it for what it is. According to Jeep, customers don't want that formula to change. "Well, we can't forget what Jeep is. The Wrangler is what brought us to the table over 80 years ago, some derivative of that," Jeep boss Bill Peffer told *The Drive* [during a recent event](). "So we protect that, right? That's protecting our core. Lots of very loyal followers \[that drive\] the Wrangler." ![]() **Jeep** That doesn't mean the Wrangler can't get a little help from electrification. Not only is there a plug-in hybrid Wrangler, but it's one of Jeep's most successful models. Peffer pointed out that the 4xe Wrangler is "the number one PHEV in the market," which is true. So why not expand that into a fully electric powertrain? Jeep seems to view that as something different entirely. Now, Jeep has teased and even built fully electric Wranglers before. Remember the Easter Jeep Safari concepts? [The first Wrangler Magneto used a single electric motor that was unusually paired with a six-speed manual transmission](). The most recent one, [Magneto 3.0](), made 650 horsepower, had adaptive air suspension, and a selectable low range. It's clear, then, that Jeep is fully capable of building a hardcore, electric Wrangler. It just doesn't feel like the time is right to sell one to the public. Instead, Jeep will funnel its electric know-how into the [Recon](), which still takes cues from the Wrangler. It's said to be similarly sized to the four-door Wrangler and its doors will even come off. The strictly electrified powertrain options are the big differences, then. While the Recon is different from the Wrangler, it certainly shares a lot of its DNA. ![]() **Jeep Wagoneer S** ![]() **Jeep Recon* Jeep* If you want a fully electric Jeep anytime soon, you'll have to look to the Recon or the newly revealed[ Wagoneer S](). In the meantime, the brand will keep the Wrangler as close to its original form as possible—for as long as it can. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()