Renegade suited to Australia and tuners: Jeep

JEEP says that with a combination of go-anywhere all terrain ability and an extensive list of Mopar aftermarket accessories, the imminent Renegade is the perfect fit for the Australian way of life.

When it arrives in October this year, the American car-maker will be offering such a diverse range of performance enhancing and styling components, it says owners will have as many customisation possibilities as the highly modifiable Wrangler.

In standard trim the range-topping Renegade Trailhawk already packs a decent amount of off-road kit including boosted ride-height, low-range transmission and a flurry of toughened exterior parts, but the 2015 Mopar catalogue will enable owners to create a unique Renegade.

Speaking at the new model's United States launch in San Jose, Renegade chief engineer Fil Grado told GoAuto the Mopar portfolio was well underway.

“Our Mopar department is working on all kinds of concepts as we speak,” he said. “They have already shown a booklet of items that they want to go after and offer to the after-market.

“That's the beauty of Jeep – people are used to customising. The Renegade will offer the same emotional connection that will first get people connected then personalise it to reflect who you are.”

But Mr Grado also explained the Renegade would appeal to Australians in standard trim by offering a package that allows adventurous owners to get out and enjoy an outdoor life.

“Australia presents a great opportunity for Jeep given its terrain and its lifestyle – the people who live there and the adventure type of customer,” he said.

“Australians are known for being outdoors and wanting that type of vehicle so it was an easy match. In Australia it’s an image thing but it's a good fit because it's a lifestyle-type vehicle. I think it’s going to be perfect.”

Pricing and exact local specification is yet to be decided for the smallest Jeep but Mr Grado said the Renegade will offer an attractive way into the Jeep brand at a competitive price.

“We could see that the market was growing in B-segment – not just in North America but globally and we just wanted to get a piece of it,” he said.

“So people can get in at this price-point and they can grow up the ladder with other Jeeps or stay there. It gives them an easier way in to experience Jeep.”