CarBuzz spy photographers recently spotted Jeep testing a new tiny crossover. It looks smaller than the current 2022 Jeep Renegade and won't serve as a replacement, meaning it will likely go by a different name. Since we don't know what Jeep will call it (though we like the name Jeepster), we'll just refer to it as the "Baby Jeep" for now. This new Baby Jeep is expected to arrive next year in 2023, benefiting from the merger with the French Groupe PSA to become Stellantis.

The vehicle will reportedly share a platform with Peugeot, specifically the 2008, which also shares an architecture with the Opel Mokka and DS3 Crossback. Those vehicles are both built in France, but the Jeep will likely be assembled in Poland alongside the upcoming Alfa Romeo Brennero and Fiat 500X.

Since it will share a platform with Peugeot, it only makes sense for the Jeep to use a French engine. The base 2008 uses a tiny 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder engine developing 99 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. This would be fine for the European market, but if Jeep has any plans to sell this model stateside, it would need a more potent engine. More powerful versions are available with 129 hp and 153 hp, the latter of which might be enough for the US market.

PSA's platform can handle electrification, but the development mule in the spy shots clearly has an exhaust pipe. The Baby Jeep could spawn an electric variant like the concept teased earlier this year (pictured below), which looks pretty close to this prototype. Perhaps Jeep would borrow the 50 kWh battery pack from the all-electric Mokka-E, which enables a 200-mile WLTP-estimated range. The PSA EVs on this platform produce 136 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, which is ample enough considering their size.

We'll continue to be on the lookout for official news regarding a new entry-level Jeep.