FCA has officially unveiled the all-new, next-generation Jeep Compass - the crossover SUV that is here to replace both the previous Compass and Jeep Patriot models. The new car that looks more like a baby Grand Cherokee will feature as much as 17 different engine options for more than 100 countries across the globe, hinting at the company's plan to make a global premium compact SUV base for the brand.
The Jeep compass is perhaps a long-awaited model for the Indian market. In a recent conversation with journalists, FCA India's Managing Director Kevin Flynn has confirmed the entry of a new premium SUV to the company's Indian assembly line by the second quarter of 2017. The company is investing heavily on local production of Jeep SUVs in India, which can act as a manufacturing hub for the region and to far-off markets like UK and other RHD markets. We can also expect the locally-manufactured Compass to feature significant amount of localisation, thereby make the model competitive in the Indian market. Once launched, the new Compass is likely to fit into the large SUV segment here to take on Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, and Chevy Trailblazer.
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Moving back to the car, the new second-generation compass gets styling cues predominantly from its siblings - Grand Cherokee and Cherokee (KL) mid-size SUV. This includes the sleek LED headlamps with slim grille, blackened A-pillar and roof line, rising waist line along the sides, and a well-balanced rear profile with LED tail lamp detailings. The 18-inch alloys are smart, while the Command-View panoramic sunroof in this car is worth mentioning. Notably, the new Compass is built on the company's Small-Wide platform as the tiny Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X, and will be positioned between the Renegade and the Cherokee (KL) models.
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| 2017 Jeep Compass will be locally assembled in FCA's Ranjangaon plant near Pune |
The interiors of the new car are largely derived from the Cherokee (KL) model, and features 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Beats Audio System with a 506-watt amplifier. The new SUV's equipment list also includes Parking Assist with rear-view camera and parking sensors, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Forward Collision Warning, and Jeep's SelecTerrain all-time 4WD system.
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| Indian-Spec 2017 Jeep Compass is likely to feature 2.0-litre Multijet Diesel engine |
The company is yet to reveal further details on the car's technical specs, but the Indian-spec Compass is likely to be offered with a 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine from Fiat's portfolio, along with 6-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic transmission option. The car will received global premiere at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show in November this year.
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