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-   -   India-bound Jeep 7-seater SUV, named Meridian (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/210746-india-bound-jeep-7-seater-suv-named-meridian-14.html)

The upcoming Jeep Meridian test mules spied in India, launch by mid-2022.





Source : PowerDrift

185bhp and ~270Nm from a 1.3L turbo petrol.
Looks like they have squeezed the life out of it. Wondering whether the torque curve is anywhere close to being flat - will be interesting to see so much bulk being pulled by the 1.3T. There is only so much that can be tricked with cleverly chosen gear ratios..

The per km fuel cost would well be in the range of 14-15 Rs. You can have your cake but can't eat it too :)

Looks too boxy for my liking.hope the proportions look well balanced when we actually get to see it in flesh.
The 3rd row is another marketing gimmick and I bet you would be able to only fit in kids at the cost of boot space.
If Jeep doesn’t price it sensibly and pack it with features,it wouldn’t set the sales chart on fire.
Fingers crossed.

Launching in price range territory of Fortuner and being significantly lower in height, this is not going to sell in good numbers. No matter how well engineered it is, it has to stand up against our big bad SUV of the nation. Going by Compass's pricing, they cannot price it lower than it and therefore, product is dead on arrival. It will sell in limited numbers with enthusiasts only.

Looks more like a raised up station-wagon/MUV.
Jeep could have done better with rear 3 quarter. That 3rd row seat space/Knee angle seems to be a joke from the pics and they would price it around Fortuner. Well, Good luck to Jeep.

Really love the suede leather elements in the interiors, loved it in new Octavia too. But here in that colour combination it’s absolute killer and makes the interior look so premium.

A quick check on some 7-seater competition for the Meridian:-

* Meridian length: 4769 mm, Wheelbase: 2794 mm >> Ratio of 58.5%
* Kodiaq/ Allspace length: 4705 mm, Wheelbase: 2791 mm >> Ratio of 59.3%
* Hector Plus length: 4655 mm, Wheelbase: 2750 mm >> Ratio of 59.01%
* Safari length: 4661 mm, Wheelbase: 2741 mm >> Ratio of 58.8%

The above specs tell me that the Meridian with longest (just a wee bit more) wheelbase among the options listed, could possibly have a more comfortable seating arrangement, 3rd row included.
However, going by the ratios (mathematically speaking), the Kodia/Allspace seems to be the winner.

Owners of the Safari/Kodiaq/Allsapce/Hector Plus - any views?

It may not be simple wheelbase mathematics. There are other considerations at play that determine cabin room-

1. In cabin width- This is where the Compass, and i assume, the Meridian will also, suffer the most. The external width measurements may be great but that does not translate into great in cabin space for the Compass.

2. Boot space- amount of boot space in the car determines how much compromise you can make in the seating. For example the Safari has a paltry boot, but relatively comfortable 3rd row. The Allspace, and i guess the Meridian too will go the other way- compromise 3rd row for a slightly bigger boot.

3. Height- this affects headroom. The Meridian's height is the lowest among all these cars.:sadface

I saw a bunch of these 7 seater Jeep's testing in Leh Yesterday. They seem to be testing the emissions of a new engine too. Have a few photographs of them parked in a hotel parking where I am staying. Will try and upload them. To me the vehicles looked more like MUV's and less like SUV's that the 5 seater looks like.

A small update on the point above. It seems from further comments as well as another video I saw that it does indeed have paddle shifters (I hope they are commenting on and the video images are from the diesel vehicle). See the image below with further replies and also the video below (at about 1:43 min mark in the video below where the steering wheel is turning).

Sorry I know this is not important to most but just wanted to correct / update the original post. Won’t take this thread OT from the primary / more important discussions on the Commander.

https://youtu.be/LLrUr0RmV9E

Agree.
Hence if you noticed, I had used an epistrophe.

Again agree.
As per available reports, boot space of Allspace and Meridian is 230 & 233 liters resp. whereas Safari has only 73 liters, with all 3 rows seated.

Meridian's height (1700 mm) is more than that of Kodiaq + Allspace (1676 mm) but less than the Hector Plus. But the Safari is the king here, with 1786 mm.

Jeep premiered the facelifted Grand Commander for China during the 2021 Chengdu Auto Show.



The updated version of the Grand Commander is available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 231 hp in the FWD guise or 262 hp in the AWD variant.



Chinese buyers can also opt for the PHEV which comes with the same 2.0-liter engine plus two electric motors and a 13 kWh battery allowing a combined range of 900 km (560 miles). All versions come standard with a nine-speed automatic gearbox.



Pricing ranges from 239,800 yuan ($37,113) to 329,800 ($51,044) for the ICE-powered Grand Commander, and starts from 309,800 yuan ($47,949) for the Grand Commander PHEV.



Updated Jeep Grand Commander exclusive for China

















Source

You have spotted a facelifted Compass Trailhawk as well, looks like that is going to be launched soon as well!

I actually saw the engine being tested as well..but did not take a photograph of it as the driver / mechanic requested me not to. The engine details which are normally mentioned on the engine cover were blacked out with plastic tape.