Jeep ships Recon EV as gas version looms - Cersana Yna
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Jeep ships Recon EV as gas version looms

Jeep ships Recon EV as gas version looms - jeep recon ev
Jeep ships Recon EV as gas version looms

The 2026 Jeep Recon EV is finally shipping to dealers, but the company is already planning a gas-powered version of the same model. Jeep confirmed during Stellantis Investor Day last week that an internal combustion engine (ICE) variant of the Recon is in the works, according to company officials. The move comes as demand for the all-electric Recon has been lackluster, and it mirrors the strategy Stellantis used with the Dodge Charger, which launched as an EV before adding a gasoline option.

Jeep first announced the Recon at its 2022 Jeep 4xe Day event, promising a pure battery-electric SUV based on the iconic Wrangler. At the time, Stellantis design chief Ralph Gilles described the Recon as a “brother to the Wrangler,” built with removable doors and an open-air roof for the EV market. The vehicle was originally scheduled for a 2024 release, but Stellantis repeatedly delayed its EV lineup. The Recon was already engineered and ready for production, so the company proceeded with it.

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650 horsepower and 250 miles of range

The 2026 Recon EV delivers 650 horsepower and 620 lb.-ft. of instant torque, with an estimated all-electric range of up to 250 miles. Jeep says the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as low as 3.6 seconds. It is the only fully electric SUV designed with removable doors, and its exterior styling is modern enough to signal it’s an EV without straying far from the Wrangler’s silhouette.

No official timeline has been given for the gas-powered Recon. Insiders told reporters that the platform will support Stellantis’ 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo engine. Jeep has not released specifics about horsepower or torque for the ICE version, but the Hurricane 4 Turbo — already announced for the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee — produces 324 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 332 lb.-ft. of peak torque between 3,000 and 4,500 rpm.

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Stellantis senior vice president Micky Bly said the Hurricane 4 Turbo “packs a punch” thanks to a variable geometry turbocharger and twin fuel system. The engine delivers 162 horsepower per liter of displacement, using 10% less fuel than the current 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 while producing 20% more power. The design also allows for hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations, which matters as automakers shift focus back to hybrid technology after overcommitting to pure EVs.

Interior and tech details

The Recon’s interior is built for off-roaders who carry gear. A two-tiered pass-through center console includes a wireless charger on the upper level and space for tablets or purses below. Modular door panels with removable elastic straps and interchangeable cargo solutions offer flexible storage. Total cargo volume is 65.9 cubic feet with the second row folded, plus a front trunk that fits a carry-on suitcase.

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The dashboard packs more than 26 inches of high-definition screen space. A standard 12.3-inch driver cluster sits behind the wheel, and a 14.5-inch horizontal touchscreen serves as the main center display — the largest single usable screen ever offered in a Jeep vehicle. The new Jeep Trails Offroad app includes pitch and roll mapping for unfamiliar terrain, while BEV pages show real-time battery data. Dynamic Range Mapping helps plan trips by indicating where and when to charge.

It’s hard to ignore the financial reality here. Auto companies spent heavily on EV development only to find demand wasn’t there yet. The Recon EVs are supposed to be shipping any day, but no word on when the gas-powered versions will arrive. If the Dodge Charger is any indication, the ICE Recon will sell far better than its electric sibling.