New Jeep Compass to launch in India in Q2 2017

19/09/2016 - 11:25 Jeep Compass, Jeep Aravind Jayachandran

Will be manufactured at the Tata-FCA JV's Ranjangaon plant.

Speaking to Indian Autos Blog at the launch of the Jeep brand in India, Kevin Flynn, Managing Director of FCA India, has confirmed that an all-new 'premium' Jeep SUV will enter production in India in Q2 2017. The product in question is the 2017 Jeep Compass (Jeep 551/Jeep C-SUV).

2017 Jeep Compass (551) side spied undisguised for the first time — The first Jeep to be locally manufactured in India will be the 2017 Jeep Compass (Jeep 551/Jeep C-SUV).

FCA has invested $280 million on the Tata-FCA JV's Ranjangaon plant to manufacture the Jeep SUV. It is also likely to be the production hub of the Jeep Compass RHD, which will be exported to markets like Australia, U.K, etc. Mr Flynn hasn't divulged an exact percentage of its parts localisation but stated that it's significant. This could help FCA launch an affordable product under the newly established Jeep brand in India.

Recent pictures have revealed the exterior of the India-bound SUV, which can be summarised as a more rounded, contemporary sibling of the Jeep Renegade, borrowing cues from the bigger Jeep Grand Cherokee. The new Compass could be digitally revealed in the coming weeks.

2017 Jeep Compass (551) roof spied undisguised for the first time — The new Compass can be summarised as a more rounded, contemporary sibling of the Jeep Renegade.

Also Read: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT launched in India from INR 93.64 lakhs

The India-spec Jeep Compass is likely to pack Fiat's 2.0L Multijet diesel engine, which can be paired with a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic gearbox. If an AWD system is offered, it will be reserved to higher grades.

The Compass could be positioned as a competitor in India to the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.