An extensively camouflaged Jeep C SUV (codenamed 551) has been caught on camera while being shipped from Brazil to the US. There have been rumours that Fiat has given its Brazilian subsidiary primary responsibility for the development of this compact SUV.
When introduced, this vehicle is destined to be a replacement in the international market for the Jeep Compass and the Patriot. The Jeep C SUV will slot between the smaller Renegade and bigger Cherokee. While the Brazilian media has reported that this vehicle will be based on the Fiat Toro pickup platform, they also added that the engine could be carried over from the pickup too. This means that the Brazilian version could see the 2.2-litre TigerShark and the diesel 2.0-litre MultiJet-II engine with manual and automatic transmissions on offer.
Sources maintain that India will be one of the main production bases for the C SUV. Fiat India has already announced expansion plans for the Ranjangaon plant to accommodate production plan for this SUV.