Jeep Compass: RHD models to be produced only in India

Jeep has confirmed that the Compass SUV will be launched in India in mid-2017. It will be locally manufactured at FCA's Ranjangaon facility, which will be one of the four global manufacturing bases for the Compass. The Ranjangaon plant will also be the only facility to produce RHD models, and will thus be catering to various RHD markets.

The Compass was revealed in Brazil in September. It is being referred to as a baby Cherokee, thanks to it borrowing various design cues from the automaker's flagship SUV. Being 4,394 mm long, 1,647 mm tall and 1,874 mm wide, the Compass lies in the crossover SUV segment and has proportions similar to that of the recently-launched Hyundai Tucson. It retains conventional Jeep design traits, including a 7-slat front grille, squared wheel arches and a higher bonnet shut line. It features some modern design elements as well, including a gloss black roof and LED tail lamps.

On the inside, the Compass gets a dual-tone cabin layout. A large centre mounted touchscreen will be market-specific. The instrument cluster too will get a 3.5 or 7-inch LED driver information display (DID), depending upon the variant. Jeep claims to have equipped the Compass with 70 safety features. However, a few of them won't be available in the India-spec model, owing to limitations on use of radar for adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.

Internationally, the Jeep Compass will be available with 5 engine options - 1.4 multi air turbo petrol, 1.6 and 2.0 turbo diesel, 2.4 Tigershark petrol and 2.0 Tigershark flex fuel. The India-spec model is expected to get a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre MultiJet II diesel engine that churns out 168 BHP. The 1.4-litre multi air petrol might also be launched in the country. Both manual and automatic gearbox options will be available.

The Compass will also feature Jeep's Active Drive Selec-Terrain 4x4 system that is programmed to optimize performance, on or off-road and in any weather condition. It further features a disconnecting rear axle and power take-off unit (PTU). The 4x4 system will instantly engage when 4x4 traction is needed. The system can send 100 percent of the available power to one wheel to tackle off-road conditions.

In India, the Jeep Compass will be offered in three variants - Sport, Longitude and Limited. The high-performance Trailhawk edition might also be introduced at a later date.