Jeep Compass closer to production
A compass helps guide you to navigate difficult or challenging expanses or territories.
Jeep hopes that euphemism is literal for its car of the same name as it begins manufacturing it in India very soon.
The 2017 new generation Jeep Compass will be made in Pernambuco (Brazil), Guangzhou (China), Toluca (Mexico) and Ranjangaon (India) for each of the regions those sites represent. And while the Toluca plant will also cater to the USA and Canada, Ranjangaon will export the Jeep Compass to all right-hand-drive markets around the world.
This tells two things: that the Indian-made Compass (while differing in variants or powertrains from those made at other plants) will be top notch on quality and build; and that it will drive in with localization levels upwards of 75-80% on day one.
The car is being called the baby-Grand Cherokee and the photos will tell you why. That is not surprising since design cues and the overall identity is more akin to that flagship SUV’s - unlike the Renegade’s - which is also a compact vehicle but draws its image more from the Wrangler side of the Jeep parivaar!
The Compass marries that with a sleeker face, and the design exudes sophistication rather than ruggedness. The design development has been on since late 2013. The car is 4.4 metres long, making it bigger than the Renegade (4.2 metres). The car has a healthy 221mm ground clearance an approach angle of 30 degrees, and a departure angle of 34 degrees. That’s pretty impressive too.
The new Compass’ interior is also connected to Grand Cherokee’s and so isn’t necessarily young, fun or funky as in the Renegade. It does aim to pack in a fair amount of user friendly technology and connectivity options. The 7” information display will pack loads of car information, and also Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The car also has a capless fuel system, keyless entry with passive go, a power tailgate, and a glass sunroof. A generous 438 litre cargo bay (1251 litres with rear seats folded) is another USP.
The car will have more than 70 safety and security features.
The engine portfolio is the 1.4 multi air turbo, 1.6 and 2.0 turbo diesel, 2.4 tigershark petrol, 2.0 tigershark flex fuel (ethanol), and transmissions include a 6-speed manual/auto, and a 9 speed auto. China will get a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The Compass will begin trial production soon, and is expected to hit the market around March 2017.
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