The all-new Jeep Compass has been revealed. Made-in-India it is and it sure looks tempting. Here are five things you need to know:
- Design and Size
Design inspiration can come from anywhere, especially existing aspirational shapely forms. The Jeep Compass has the Grand Cherokee to thank for that, as also the SR-71 Blackbird! Built as a C-segment SUV, as the designers consider “smaller than a medium-sized SUV”, the Compass sits above the Renegade and below the Cherokee in the global market. In India, it will be the most affordable Jeep yet. It’s 4,398 mm long, 1,819 mm wide and 1,667 mm tall, running a 2,636-mm wheelbase.
- 4×4 Capability
‘Jeep’ is a buzzword in the off-road community and is synonymous for an SUV for many here. Like every Jeep, the Compass will have all the goodies not just for tackling a rough road, but for those who seek to kick their off-road lifestyle into gear. Remember, the Wrangler is also its elder sibling. It will be offered with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system that makes the best of every terrain, with an intelligent four-wheel-drive system that dynamically distributes torque. It offers 178 mm of ground clearance with a 19° approach angle and a 32° departure angle. There will also be a Trailhawk model which will sit higher than the standard car. If you’re worried about fuel efficiency, fret not, it uses a dynamic rear-axle disconnect that can decouple drive to the rear axle when four-wheel traction is not needed.
- Engines and Drivelines
Jeep’s and, in fact, FIAT Chrysler India’s head honcho Kevin Flynn confirmed that the Compass will have over 50 combinations – this includes engines, transmissions, trim levels, options and combinations thereof.
For petrolheads, the 1.4-litre Multi-Air turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with 160 PS and 250 Nm will be offered. Diesel sippers will like the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-pot with 170 PS and 350 Nm. Jeep India have mentioned that the power figures are minimum values and more power could result in the final production model.
Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic. While the 4×4 driveline seems like an essential part, the Driveline Disconnect Technology (DDT) disengages the rear axle making it a 4×2 front-wheel driven compact SUV for the road. Whether or not just a 4×2 model will be offered remains to be seen.
- When will it be out?
This was the pre-production model that was unveiled. FIAT Chrysler India will roll out the first production model in June, and we’ll drive it then and tell you what it’s like. They will formally launch the all-new Jeep Compass in the third quarter of this year. It will also be sold in the UK, Japan and Australia.
- So it’s made in India? What about the price, then?
Jeep India have maintained that, like the rest of their range, the Compass will be unique and priced accordingly. However, this one is made right here in Ranjangaon, near Pune in India, so it will have a rather attractive price-tag. Since there are several variants on the cards, we can expect a US-style variant structure, whether or not we see Limited, Altitude, Latitude, Overland and Summit can’t be confirmed now, but the variants structure should see the top-spec priced around 50 per cent higher than the base. If we were to hazard a guess, expect the base petrol to start at around Rs 20-25 lakh, with the loaded top-spec 4×4 AT Summit(?) to be priced at around Rs 30-35 lakh. Add a lakh-and-a-half or so for diesel. Remember the kit on offer: anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), hill-start assist, electronic stability control (ESC), multimedia entertainment, advanced communication tech and, of course, six airbags. Stay tuned for confirmed pricing in the third quarter of the year.
Story: Jim Gorde
