India-spec Jeep Compass unveiled; set for launch in July

The India-spec Jeep Compass has been unveiled at the American automaker’s newly retooled plant in Ranjangaon outside Pune. It is the first locally assembled model from this iconic SUV maker and is the latest entry-level model in the Jeep hierarchy. Production will begin in June with launch and deliveries slated to begin in the third quarter of this year. 

The company has said that the design of the Compass is inspired both by the Wrangler as well as the Cherokee, however, the design of the exterior seems more in keeping with the Cherokee. Signature elements include the slatted grille, ‘Iron man face’ shaped tail lamps, forward slanting sporty silhouette and large wheels.  It is 4.3-metres long with a wheelbase of 2.6-meters and is a five-seater vehicle. The automaker is expected to offer the car in a variety of trim and colour options to provide a high level of customisation for Indian customers.
 
Given its SUV pedigree, this vehicle gets the American automaker’s Active Drive 4X4 option. This includes four driving modes Auto, snow, sand and mud. These modes can be easily interchanged even on the fly. The India spec Jeep Compass is being offered with one diesel and petrol engine option.

The petrol unit is the 1.4-litre Multiair mill producing 160bhp/350Nm of torque while the diesel is a 2.0-litre unit producing 170bhp/350Nm of torque. These engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic.  However, the plant will produce models with several different engine options for exporting to various right-hand-drive markets across the globe.

This new SUV is being offered with over 50 different safety options including stability control, hill start assist, multiple airbags, ABS with EBD and ESP, all around disc brakes, traction control and rollover mitigation and cornering fog lamps.

India is the fourth location where the Compass is being assembled. The American automaker already assembles the car at its plant in China, Mexico and Brazil. It is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 18 lakh to Rs 25 lakh and will take on the likes of various SUVs and even some sedans present in that part of the market.