Jeep Compass unveiled in India, launch later this year

Jeep has officially unveiled the Compass SUV for the Indian market. Details about the SUV's specifications and features have been revealed, though the official launch is expected to take place in June 2017.

The Compass will be the third product in Jeep's Indian portfolio, after the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler. However, while these two models are currently being brought into the country through the CBU route, the Compass will be manufactured locally at the FCA plant in Ranjangaon. This plant will be the one and only facility to produce right-hand drive versions of the Compass, which will then be sold in India as well as exported to other RHD markets. Jeep claims to have invested around $280 million in the Ranjangaon production facility.

The Compass adopts an urban SUV-esque design philosophy, which takes inspiration from its elder sibling - the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The front gets a vertically stacked 7-slat grille, flanked on both sides by projector headlamps and LED daytime running lights. The side gets flared square wheel arches and a thick C-pillar. The Jeep Compass is 4,398 mm long, 1,819 mm wide and 1,667 mm tall. It has a 2,636 mm long wheelbase and a ground clearance of 178 mm.

The dashboard layout is characterised by a 7.0-inch touchscreen system that is placed on top of the centre console. This system in the higher trim levels will be offered with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Occupant safety is taken care of by the presence of 6 airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), ESP, electronic roll-over mitigation and hill-start assist.

The India-spec Compass will be available with two engine options - a petrol and a diesel. The petrol will be a 1.4-litre, four-cylinder MultiAir engine that will churn out around 158 BHP and 250 Nm. There will be two transmission options available with the petrol models - a 6-speed MT and a 7-speed dual clutch automatic. The other engine option will be a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder MultiJet diesel rated at around 168 BHP and 350 Nm, with a 6-speed manual as the only transmission option. Both these engines will be offered with 4x2 and 4x4 setups. The 4x4 system will come with Jeep's Selec-Terrain Traction Management system that will feature 4 modes - Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud.