New Jeep crossover might be called Jeepster

According to a report by Australian website, Drive, the Jeep crossover is going to be called Jeepster. The report is based on the account given by a dealer who claims to have been shown the car. The car will be showcased at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March next year with a global launch slated in mid-2014.

 The Fiat Group has been working on developing two new products, one under Jeep brand while the other under its own badging, at its facility in Melfi, Italy. Based on the five-door Fiat 500X, they will be available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive transmissions with a range of diesel and petrol engines. The car will be B-segment SUV and is expected in India by 2015.

 Fiat India’s R&D team has contributed significantly to design and develop the smallest Jeep in Chrysler’s stable. The Jeepster has been designed primarily for regular road use with better ride comfort, a change from Jeep’s tradition of making rugged, off-road vehicles.

 The product will be manufactured at the Ranjangaon plant in Maharashtra. Fiat has been looking at leveraging India as an export hub for right-hand-drive models. Fiat is also planning to export vehicles from here to markets in the UK, Japan, Australia and South Africa.

The Jeepster name has been used on three previous occasions; the first being the Willys Overland model built between 1948 and 1950, the second with the Kaiser Jeepster Commando - built between 1966 and 1972 and the most recent for a V8-powered concept revealed at the 1999 Detroit Motor Show.

Sorce : Drive