FCA India, an entirely owned subsidiary of the world’s seventh largest automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has unveiled their much awaited C-segment SUV offering – Compass.
The result of a $280 Million investment project, the Compass will be rolled out from the Ranjangaon manufacturing facility by June 2017. The price announcement of the car is expected to be around the same time as well.
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At the Compass showcase event, Kevin Flynn – President and Managing Director, FCA India said:
“The local production schedule of the Jeep compass is firmly on track and we are all set to begin local production of the Jeep brand’s global SUV by June this year. The Jeep Compass will have come with several industry-first features and will set benchmarks in the Indian SUV space.”
The Jeep Compass will come with two powertrain options – a 160+ HP, 250 Nm multi-air petrol and the 170+ HP, 350 Nm diesel engine. Both these engines will be BS VI compliant and will come with the option of a 6-speed manual transmission and a 7-speed dual dry clutch technology automatic (DDCT) transmission option.
Kevin Flynn added,
“One of the important highlights of the Jeep Compass is that both its export as well as the India models will be identical in terms of build and quality. We will export to International right-hand drive markets from India.”
Interestingly, the SUV will be manufactured in more than 50 trims to meet the requirements of different customers and markets.
Jeep India said that the Compass takes its design inspiration from an SR-71 Blackbird aircraft and is in compliance with the design language followed by it’s elder sibling – the Grand Cherokee. The similarities become evident when you look at the 7-slot grille and the trapezoidal wheel arches.
The company also announced that the car will be launched with over 50 active and passive safety features which include the likes of ESC, ABS, Hill Start Assist and adaptive brake lights. A total of six airbags will be fitted inside the cabin with dual-stage passenger airbags.
Sticking true to its off-roader image that comes with every Jeep, the Compass comes loaded with the 4×4 Jeep Active Drive system that’s coupled with Select Terrain Traction Management System, which, will help time the car’s driving abilities as per the driving mode selected.
What remains to be seen is what kind of a price tag does the Compass come at especially given that it is competing in one of the most competitive segments in India as it was just reported that one in every four vehicles being sold in India is a SUV.