Jeep recently announced that it has started export of the made-in-India Compass SUV to international markets like Australia and Japan. The SUV is built at the FCA plant in Ranjangaon, which is also the mother plant for all right-hand-drive Compass units globally.

The company had begun building the SUV for Indian market way back in June this year. However, the rugged Trailhawk variant of the Compass wasn't part of the plant until now. Being developed only for the export market at the moment, the rugged Compass Trailhawk will be positioned as the top-spec trim internationally. It comes with Jeep’s Active Drive Low-range 4WD tech for serious off-road duties and a new 'Rock mode' for its Selec-Terrain 4WD system.

The right-hand-drive Trailhawk gets a 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a nine-speed automatic. It also sits 20mm higher than the standard variant and gets unique front and rear bumpers.  This facilitates for better approach and departure angles that stand at 30 degree (approach), 24.4 degree (breakover) and 33.6 degrees (departure) respectively. The Jeep Compass Trailhawk also gets hill descent control as standard.

Compared to the standard variant, the Compass Trailhawk gets different alloy wheels, dual-tone black and silver shade, red recovery hooks, a black painted anti-glare bonnet decal, underbody skid plates and all weather floor mats.

There is no news on whether Jeep will bring this variant to India. However, there are talks of the Compass diesel automatic heading to showrooms in the coming months.