Revealed: India-bound Jeep Compass

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has released images of the India-bound Jeep Compass. The Compass is Jeep’s smaller and affordable take on the larger and more expensive Jeep Grand Cherokee which has gone on sale in India.

Yesterday, FCA's Jeep assembly plant in Goiana, Pernambuco, rolled out the all-new Jeep Compass in Brazil.

The Jeep Compass gets more traditional styling that mimics the larger sibling. However, it also gets a few angular bits like the Jeep Renegade which helps it look more rugged. Key design elements include a wide-shouldered look, a shallow Jeep grille and tapering headlights. As on other Jeep SUVs, there are also squared-off wheel arches and large alloy wheels. The rear gets horizontally aligned tail-lamps with LED units.

Higher-spec variants will get dual-tone exteriors and plenty of chrome highlights, that in all probability will be introduced here in India as well.

The Jeep Compass will most likely get features seen on the much more expensive Grand Cherokee. Things like the U-Connect infotainment system with its large 8-inch screen and one can expect features like climate control and push-button start too.There could even be a seven seat option.

While unveiling the vehicle, Jeep has announced that the Compass is a truly global compact SUV  that will be produced with “17 fuel-efficient powertrain options for consumers in more than 100 countries around the world.” Production for the left-hand-drive Jeep Compass has commenced at FCA’s Jeep Assembly Plant in Goiana, Brazil.

The Jeep Compass for India will be powered by a 172.3hp 2.0-litre Fiat Multijet II diesel engine that will be localised. The engine will also be seen in Tata's Q501 SUV in the future.  The new Jeep Compass, unlike the others Jeep imports launched recently, will be competitively priced as it will be locally assembled at Fiat’s Ranjangaon facility near Pune.

The Jeep brand officially entered India last month with two models, the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee along with the high-performance SRT variant. While these two mainstream models are fully-built units and command steep price tags, the Jeep Compass is likely to be priced competitively as it will be locally assembled in India at Fiat’s Ranjangaon facility near Pune. Prices are expected to start at around Rs 17 lakh for a reasonably well-equipped version.