Report - Jeep "will look at" a sub-Renegade Ford EcoSport competitor

Speaking to AutoExpress on the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show, Jeep's President and CEO says a vehicle smaller than the Jeep Renegade is one possibility.

He said an A-Segment SUV, thought to be a VW Taigun and Ford EcoSport challenger, is "something the brand will look at" but the priority now is "above the Grand Cherokee".

He announced that Jeep is developing a full-size seven seater SUV that will be called the Grand Wagoneer that will be its new flagship. Manley did not provide a timeframe to its launch.

The Renegade is 4.23 m long and rides on a 2.57 m wheelbase. A vehicle below is thought to be at about 4 m long.

Jeep don't have a platform to do an A-Segment SUV of that specification at the moment, Auto Express comments, and would have to look at the platform of the next generation Fiat 500 for a base. A smaller Jeep vehicle would help counter the legislative pressure on CO2 emissions for the Jeep brand which lives off making heavy vehicles with large engines.

[Source - AutoExpress.co.uk]