Few cars live in the glory of the past like the Jeep Wrangler, which exists to carry on the spirit of the original military Jeep that debuted over 80 years ago. We all knew that Jeep takes electrification seriously when it launched a Wrangler BEV concept last year named the Jeep Magneto.
Unveiled at the 2022 Easter Jeep Safari, a major annual gathering of off-road enthusiasts held in Moab, Utah, the blue and white Magneto 2.0 concept is, as the name suggests, Jeep's second attempt at a fully electric Wrangler. The original Magneto concept was just a way to test the waters - now Jeep is diving in.
The electric off-roader appears with over 600 hp and has been significantly revised overall. Visually, the Magneto 2.0 has hardly changed compared to its predecessor prototype, but technically it brings with it some improvements. The Magneto 2.0 concept has a power worthy of its supervillain namesake and the ability to crawl over almost any obstacle.
The Design
Let’s start with the obvious, The Magneto 2.0 is a cartoonish Frankenstein monster on four wheels. It comes with parts that were never made to fit together, somehow working in unison.
While Jeep started with a stock 2-door Wrangler chassis, it had to be extensively modified to accommodate the electric powertrain components. The wheelbase has been extended by 12 inches to make room for them. This made the vehicle look unusual for Wrangler enthusiasts but it was all necessary.
Changes were also made to improve the Wrangler's off-road capability. The concept vehicle rides on huge 40-inch tires mounted on 20-inch rims. Carbon fiber fender flares are covering the enlarged wheels and tires, and minimalist bumpers help reduce weight and improve ground clearance.
Surf Blue paintwork, a carbon fiber B-pillar, bikini top, and carbon fiber hood give the Magneto 2.0 a powerful look. The bespoke front features a blue-tinted, transparent window that reveals the engine below. The result also looks positively cartoonish, but that was probably the idea.
Other modifications of the Jeep Magneto include a light bar in the grille between the headlights, a redesigned tailgate, a two-inch lift kit, mud terrain tires, a roll cage, impact protection tubes, and an underfloor protection plate made of steel.
The Interior
Visually, the interior of the electric study does not differ too much from the combustion siblings. Finished in Bright White with Surf Blue accents, the Magneto's exterior features a heavy-duty look across the width of the vehicle.
However, this is not an ordinary Wrangler and you can also see it inside. Custom Royal Blue and Black leather seats with Sapphire inserts and belts, Surf Blue truck bed liners, and Mopar slush mats give the Magneto's interior an electrified look.
The Power
The Magneto 2.0 uses the same electric motor as the original Magneto concept, but instead of the previous 285 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, it now makes 625 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. That's a lot more than any combustion Wrangler, as well as several sports cars, we could name.
That power is harnessed through what seems like an anachronism in an electric vehicle: a six-speed manual gearbox. Electric cars usually don't have multi-speed transmissions because their plentiful torque makes shifting superfluous.
However, a manual for a prototype vehicle like the Magneto 2.0 is useful because it allows engineers to try different gear ratios, said Mark Allen, Jeep's head of exterior design, at a media preview of the concept. It also makes off-road driving better by giving the driver maximum control over the vehicle off-road.
The transmission was sourced from Jeep sister brand Dodge's Hellcat V8 muscle cars but had to be beefed up to handle the power of the electric motor. Sturdy axles are also part of the package, and unlike its predecessor, the new-and-improved Magneto has enough regenerative braking to make single-pedal driving possible.
The car has four lithium-ion battery packs with a total output of 70-kilowatt hours that operate an 800-volt system. The division into four battery packs is intended to give the Wrangler Magneto 2.0 optimal weight distribution. What's missing from the spec sheet is any mention of range. However, the massive tires probably don't help in this area as they increase rolling resistance.
The robust, all-terrain chassis include a Dynatrac 60 Pro-Rock front axle and a massive Pro-Rock Dynatrac 80 rear axle with a 5.38 ratio and locks for both axles, along with a customized prop shaft and all-terrain suspension.
Conclusion
While Jeep was keen to showcase the Magneto 2.0 concept and has production EVs in development, that doesn't mean you'll see an all-electric Wrangler in production any time soon. If you do, it probably won't look like the concept.
According to Jeep, this is a “strange test vehicle”, however, it shows the potential of electric powertrains for off-road use and the flexibility they offer engineers and designers. Jeep is still able to increase the Magneto's power output and regenerative braking relatively slightly.
The Magneto is likely to remain a one-off. Nevertheless, the study shows that Jeep will also increasingly rely on purely electric cars in the future. Nevertheless, fans can rest easy: because the electric Wrangler also cuts an excellent figure off the beaten track.
Jeep plans to unveil its first production EV in 2023. The unnamed model will be a crossover SUV more akin to the current Jeep Compass than the Wrangler. Other electric models will follow, and while the Magneto 2.0 wasn't intended to be a production vehicle, we wouldn't mind if they shared a bit of its DNA.
As Coverking, we intend to custom build protective equipment for all vehicles available to the public. This Jeep will not be mass-produced but if it ever does, we are here to create the best equipment out of the best possible material.
Please check out our catalog for custom covers and accessories and find out for yourself. You can also choose your car’s make and model on the top right and we will show you everything we can offer for your specific vehicle.
Resources
- https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/8/23016872/stellantis-jeep-magneto-2-all-electric-concept-returns
- https://www.forbes.com/wheels/features/driving-the-jeep-magneto-2-0-ev/
- https://insideevs.com/reviews/579785/jeep-magneto-2-first-drive/
- https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a39674254/jeep-wrangler-magneto-2-concept/
- https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jeep/357837/new-jeep-magneto-20-concept-review
- https://moparinsiders.com/jeep-unveils-its-new-wrangler-magneto-2-0-concept-for-moab/
- https://www.autoblog.com/2022/04/22/easter-jeep-safari-magneto2/
- https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/04/driving-the-jeep-magneto-an-electric-concept-with-a-manual-transmission/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-jeep-wrangler-magneto-ev-concept-acceleration-tesla-plaid-2022-4
- https://hypebeast.com/2022/4/jeep-wrangler-magneto-2-seven-new-electric-concept-suv-revealed
- https://www.motorbiscuit.com/jeep-magneto-2-0-is-unbelievably-fast-wrangler/
- https://newatlas.com/automotive/jeep-wrangler-magneto-2-0/
- https://www.popsci.com/technology/electric-jeep-wrangler-magneto-concept/
- https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/g39674207/easter-jeep-safari-concepts-2022-wrangler-gladiator/
- https://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/65462/we-drove-jeep-s-all-electric-magneto-2.0-all-over-moab/
Tankut Basar
Tankut Basar is an ARA (American Rally Assoc.) Racing Driver and an FIA Bronze Category License Holder. His passion for driving began with karting like most racers. He started racing internationally at the age of 22. Tankut loves everything car-related and will keep enjoying the drive until the end.
