FCA India, the Indian arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is all set to introduce its Jeep Compass compact SUV (C-SUV) in the market. The new model, which has seen an investment of US$280 million (Rs 1,768 crore), is going to be the first locally assembled product from the Jeep stable in India and the vehicle will be built at FCA India’s plant in Ranjangaon near Pune.
The big news, however, is that India will host the Jeep Compass' mother plant for all right-hand-drive markets, including the UK, Japan and Australia. The Compass will be available globally in as many as 17 engine-gearbox and drivetrain configurations and some of them will be manufactured in India for global markets. The five-seater is 4,398mm long, 1,667mm tall and 1,819mm wide (with mirrors folded).
On the outside, the new Compass looks like a mini Grand Cherokee. To begin with, the profile is more square than sporty, setting it apart from the crowd. There is an air of sophistication in the manner in which the body and the roof integrate towards the rear, and the chrome lining that loops around looks quite upmarket too. Up front, you get the familiar Jeep seven-slot grille and headlight combo; the Jeep's typically squared-off wheel arches stand out too. The Compass also gets LED elements in the headlamps and tail-lamps.
Built on the same platform as the Renegade (small, wide 4x4), the Compass, however, features a longer wheelbase for greater space on the inside and a mildly altered suspension system. The SUV gets frequency selective damping, which automatically alters the dampers for rough roads and corners, and an electric handbrake as well.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
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