News

Jeep Plans Three New Europe-Focused SUVs by 2030

Jeep’s European Reinvention Starts Now: Three New SUVs Aim to Make the Brand More Jeep Than Ever

For years, Jeep’s European strategy has felt like a compromise. The brand has relied largely on American-developed SUVs, sprinkled with the occasional Europe-specific model like the surprisingly successful Avenger. But that’s about to change. Over the next four years, Jeep will roll out an all-new European lineup designed with one goal in mind: building vehicles that feel unmistakably like Jeeps while finally addressing what European buyers actually want.

It’s the biggest shift in the brand’s regional strategy in decades—and perhaps the clearest sign yet that Stellantis sees Jeep as one of its most valuable global assets.

Rather than simply adapting products developed elsewhere, Jeep is creating three entirely new SUVs aimed squarely at Europe. Two of them will slot into the fiercely competitive B-segment crossover class, while a larger flagship SUV will arrive through an unexpected partnership with Chinese automaker Dongfeng. All three will offer multiple powertrain options, available four-wheel drive, and, according to Jeep executives, genuine off-road capability.

Europe Gets Its Own Jeep Family

The current European range is relatively straightforward. The compact Avenger has quickly become Jeep’s volume seller, while the Compass continues to anchor the middle of the lineup. Soon, however, those two models will be joined by three fresh additions that fundamentally reshape Jeep’s presence on the continent.

The first pair targets Europe’s booming B-SUV segment, but Jeep isn’t simply making bigger Avengers.

According to Jeep Europe boss Fabio Catone, one model will be a more traditionally rugged compact SUV, wider and more upright than the Avenger, appealing to buyers who want authentic SUV styling rather than a hatchback on stilts. Above it will sit a larger B-segment model that edges close to C-segment dimensions, effectively bridging the gap between the entry-level Avenger and the Compass.

Both models will ride on Stellantis’ upcoming STLA One architecture, a next-generation platform developed with electrification in mind but engineered from the outset to accommodate Jeep’s demanding requirements.

Unlike previous shared architectures that required compromise, Catone insists STLA One gives Jeep engineers the opportunity to build capability into the platform from day one.

That means proper four-wheel-drive systems, improved approach and departure angles, and hardware designed to deliver what Jeep claims will be class-leading off-road performance. Advanced technologies, including steer-by-wire systems expected to debut elsewhere within Stellantis, could also make their way into these SUVs.

The message is clear: these won’t simply look like Jeeps—they’re expected to behave like them.

Staying True to the Badge

Jeep’s challenge in Europe has always been balancing regional preferences with its American identity.

The Renegade found plenty of customers but was often criticized for lacking the trail-ready character associated with the seven-slot grille. The Avenger has been an even bigger commercial success, even earning European Car of the Year honors, yet it’s still positioned primarily as an urban crossover.

Catone says the next generation is intended to erase any doubts.

Every new model, he argues, will embody Jeep’s core pillars of capability, protection, versatility, and unmistakable design. In other words, regardless of size or powertrain, the company wants buyers to recognize them instantly as authentic Jeeps.

That’s particularly important as European emissions regulations continue pushing manufacturers toward electrification.

Instead of abandoning its off-road roots, Jeep believes electrification can actually enhance them.

A Chinese-Built Flagship With American DNA

Perhaps the most intriguing addition is Jeep’s upcoming D-segment SUV.

Rather than developing the model entirely in-house, Stellantis will leverage its partnership with Dongfeng, producing the SUV in China while allowing Jeep to dictate both styling and engineering priorities.

Catone compares the arrangement to Apple’s manufacturing strategy: the industrial footprint may be shared, but the product remains unmistakably Jeep.

The SUV will be sold globally, including Europe, and is expected to offer multiple electrified powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid likely based on Dongfeng’s range-extender technology.

Industry observers believe the most likely technical foundation comes from Dongfeng’s M-Hero brand, particularly the rugged M817 SUV. Measuring just over five meters long and available in China with either plug-in hybrid or range-extender powertrains producing as much as 900 horsepower, the M817 already combines serious off-road hardware with aggressive styling.

If Jeep adopts a similar formula while applying its own unmistakable design language, the result could become a genuine alternative to icons like the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser.

Filling a Gap Jeep Left Behind

The move also fills a hole Jeep has struggled to address since discontinuing the Grand Cherokee in Europe.

Large SUVs remain a relatively small segment on the continent, but they’re increasingly profitable, especially as premium buyers embrace electrified drivetrains.

Catone describes the category as a “white space” for Jeep—a market where the brand’s heritage should naturally resonate but where it currently lacks a competitive offering.

Rather than importing another American-built SUV, Jeep believes local market needs are better served through a global development program that leverages Chinese manufacturing efficiency without sacrificing the brand’s identity.

What About Wrangler?

One notable omission from Jeep’s future plans is the Wrangler.

The legendary off-roader disappeared from Europe due to increasingly strict emissions regulations, and while Catone confirmed Jeep hopes to bring it back eventually, no timeline has been established.

Also absent were the battery-electric Recon and Wagoneer S. Both had previously been expected to reach European showrooms, but neither featured in Jeep’s latest product roadmap, suggesting those launches have quietly been delayed—or abandoned altogether.

The Biggest Bet Yet

Jeep’s latest strategy represents more than a product offensive. It’s a philosophical reset.

Instead of asking Europeans to embrace American SUVs adapted for local tastes, the company is building vehicles specifically for Europe without abandoning the characteristics that made Jeep famous in the first place.

If the STLA One platform delivers on its promise of combining electrification with genuine off-road capability, and if the Dongfeng-developed flagship successfully blends Chinese engineering with authentic Jeep character, the brand could finally establish the cohesive European lineup it has spent years chasing.

After decades of adapting, Jeep is finally designing Europe on its own terms. The next four years will reveal whether that strategy can turn one of America’s most recognizable SUV brands into a true European success story.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

Fiat Multiplina EV

If you’ve ever wondered what the next evolution of urban transportation might look like, Fiat believes the answer isn’t another oversized electric SUV. Instead, it’s something dramatically smaller.

Meet the Fiat Multiplina, a charming four-seat electric microcar that blends retro Italian design with modern EV technology—and could become one of the most intriguing city cars of the decade.

Previewed as the Multiplina Concept during a micromobility event in Vatican City, the production version is scheduled to arrive in 2028 as Fiat expands its commitment to affordable urban mobility. Sitting between the tiny two-seat Topolino and Fiat’s upcoming next-generation city car, the Multiplina fills what CEO Olivier François describes as the brand’s “missing link.”

Looking Back to Move Forward

Fiat has never been shy about mining its heritage, and the Multiplina wears its inspiration proudly.

Rather than borrowing from the iconic 500, designers looked to the wonderfully unconventional 600 Multipla of 1956—the original compact people mover decades before the MPV became fashionable. The concept echoes its ancestor with a tall, upright silhouette, a short vertical nose, and simple circular headlights, giving it an unmistakably retro personality without feeling like a nostalgic caricature.

Its footprint is equally historic. At just under three meters long, the Multiplina is remarkably close in size to the original 1957 Fiat 500, making it one of the smallest four-seat electric vehicles currently planned for production.

More Than Just a Bigger Topolino

Although the Multiplina shares its basic architecture with the Citroën Ami-derived Topolino and Fiat’s new Tris commercial vehicle, this isn’t simply a stretched version of either.

Instead, Fiat says the platform will be extensively re-engineered to accommodate four occupants, a larger battery pack, and significantly improved driving capability.

The biggest change comes underneath. Unlike the L6-category Topolino—which is legally classified as a quadricycle and limited to just 28 mph with a modest 46-mile range—the Multiplina will move into the more capable L7 class.

That means a top speed of 55 mph, the regulatory maximum for the category, along with a substantially longer driving range. Fiat hasn’t revealed battery specifications yet, but the additional performance should make the Multiplina viable beyond crowded city centers, expanding its usefulness into suburban commuting and short regional trips.

Fiat Doubles Down on Small Cars

While much of the automotive industry continues chasing larger crossovers and premium electric SUVs, Fiat appears determined to carve out a different path.

François has repeatedly emphasized that Fiat intends to become Stellantis’ dedicated micromobility brand, focusing on compact, accessible, and affordable transportation rather than competing in increasingly crowded mainstream EV segments.

The Multiplina fits neatly into that strategy. It bridges the gap between the minimalist Topolino and Fiat’s upcoming entry-level electric hatchback while complementing existing models like the 500 and Panda in markets where the latter remains on sale.

Even as Fiat prepares to introduce the Grizzly—a C-segment SUV positioned against the Dacia Duster—the company’s identity remains firmly rooted in producing clever small cars rather than oversized family haulers.

A Vatican Debut That Makes Sense

The choice of Vatican City for the Multiplina Concept’s debut may seem unusual, but it reflects Fiat’s growing involvement in urban sustainability projects.

The Italian automaker has partnered with the Vatican to supply a fleet of 30 light electric vehicles, including Topolino microcars and Tris delivery vehicles, supporting the city state’s goal of operating an entirely zero-emissions fleet by 2030.

The first 20 vehicles have already been delivered, making the Vatican an unlikely but fitting showcase for the kind of compact electric transportation Fiat envisions for Europe’s increasingly congested city centers.

It’s also where the production Multiplina is expected to make its official debut later this year before its planned market launch in 2028.

Small Car, Big Opportunity

Microcars have long occupied a niche corner of the European market, often viewed as compromises rather than desirable products. Fiat wants to change that.

By combining genuine four-seat practicality with unmistakable retro styling and improved everyday usability, the Multiplina could appeal to buyers who find traditional city cars unnecessarily large but consider vehicles like the Topolino too limited for daily life.

Whether the market is ready for a renaissance of compact electric people movers remains to be seen. But if any manufacturer can make a tiny car feel genuinely aspirational, it’s probably the same company that turned the 500 into a global style icon.

The Multiplina isn’t trying to reinvent the automobile. It’s simply asking whether cities might be better served by cars that take up less space—and have a little more personality while doing it.

Source: Autocar

News

Jaguar XJ220 Reborn as a Stunning Design Study by Ian Callum

Some concepts are designed to sell a future. Others exist simply to remind us what we’ve lost. Ian Callum’s reimagined Jaguar XJ220 falls squarely into the latter category—and it might just be the most tantalizing “what if?” of the year.

More than three decades after Jaguar unveiled the XJ220 and forever cemented its place among the world’s great supercars, the man who would later shape the brand’s modern identity has turned his attention to one of its greatest legends. The result isn’t a production proposal or a limited-run hypercar, but a striking design study that asks a simple question: What would the XJ220 look like if it were designed today?

Judging by the first teaser image, the answer is equal parts respectful and radical.

The new design abandons the softer, organic curves of the original in favor of a more sculpted, technical aesthetic. The rear haunches are noticeably sharper, the tail tapers more aggressively, and the overall silhouette appears leaner and more purposeful. Yet Callum has wisely resisted the temptation to erase the XJ220’s identity. The unmistakable oval side windows remain, as do the signature air intakes carved into the flanks—details that instantly identify the car even in silhouette.

It’s a careful balancing act between nostalgia and modernity, one that Callum Design has become increasingly adept at.

For anyone hoping this is Jaguar’s long-awaited supercar comeback, however, it’s time for a reality check. Callum Design describes the project as both a concept and a design study, making it clear that there are currently no plans to put the reinvented XJ220 into production. But there’s an important caveat. The consultancy says the project demonstrates what’s possible for clients willing to commission bespoke creations, leaving the door open for an exceptionally wealthy enthusiast to bring this vision to life.

In other words, while you won’t be placing an order at your local Jaguar dealer, someone with a sufficiently healthy bank account might eventually own the only modern XJ220 in existence.

The timing of the full reveal also feels intentional. October marks the 35th anniversary of the production XJ220’s debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, making it the perfect occasion to celebrate one of Britain’s most iconic performance cars with a contemporary reinterpretation.

The project is also another reminder that Ian Callum’s influence on automotive design extends well beyond his two decades leading Jaguar’s design department. Since launching his own consultancy after leaving the company in 2019, Callum has built an impressive portfolio of reinterpretations that blend heritage with modern craftsmanship. His team has revived the classic Wood and Pickett Mini, reinvented the Aston Martin Vanquish that he originally penned, and even transformed the once-unbuildable Jaguar C-X75 concept into a fully road-legal machine.

Ironically, the C-X75 was once envisioned as the spiritual successor to the XJ220. Now, Callum has come full circle by revisiting the supercar that inspired it.

Whether this latest project remains a one-off design exercise or eventually finds its way into a customer’s private collection, it succeeds in doing something increasingly rare. It reminds enthusiasts that great automotive design isn’t just about horsepower figures or Nürburgring lap times. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh interpretation of an icon to get imaginations running wild.

And if this is only a glimpse of what’s to come, October suddenly can’t arrive soon enough.

Source: Autocar

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