Jeeps are deep in history. Being the world's first all terrain vehicle brand and the essential inventors of the SUV segment, Jeep is a symbol representing stunning sophisticated design, unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy and off-road capability. And it's for sure that the SUV brand enters India under the leadership of Fiat. Grand Cherokee is in the list and the Compass might follow next, but is it the next-generation Compass??
The company is more careful with its models in new markets, because things cannot be taken for granted as in America. As for as India is concerned, the company may have several reservations in launching the Compass SUV because of the stiff competition in the segment. Next generation Honda CR-V will be here by the time Jeep arrives, and there are competent candidates in the fray too, notably BMW X3, and Audi Q5. So, Jeep may play a more safer game with the existing Compass - observe the initial response and then make plans.Nevertheless, there is a clear market for the brand and and there is decisive acknowledgment also for it. Once priced competitively, they can make good numbers.
The next Compass sounds pretty good. It's gonna be made on a new Fiat car platform, shared by next-gen Liberty and a new mini Jeep, and is totally different from the existing Chrysler/ Mitsubishi architecture. It is a front-wheel drive based architecture and will see improvements in weight, fuel economy, and handling.
Fiat and Chrysler are finding ways to share technology in order to push their brands forward, and it is evident with the fact that a new 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine designed by Fiat will add the Cherokee line-up. Fiat may also source a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a displacement and power around 2.0 litres and 200hp respectively for the Compass. The existing CVT will be replaced by a dual-clutch six-speed automatic. Compass may also feature a more sophisticated traction control system like that offered on the Grand Cherokee.
With such credentials,the next-gen Compass can surpass the class competition and may earn a good premium reputation in the SUV market.
[This article was written for and has also been published in Indianautosblog ]
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