Jeep is launching new right-hand drive models later this year, beginning with the UK market.
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The Compass and Patriot – which looks like a scaled down version of the previous generation Cherokee – are both built on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber hatchback launched in the UK and Europe last year and share the 2.4-litre petrol ‘World Engine’ and two-litre turbodiesel bought-in from Volkswagen.
The Compass extends the Jeep brand to compete for the first time in the UK and European compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment and is the first Jeep vehicle to offer fuel economy in excess of 43 mpg, on the ‘official’ EU combined cycle with its VW diesel engine, which is a claimed best in class.
The Compass will also be the Jeep brand’s first front-wheel-drive-based product and also the first with a fully independent suspension.
Peter Lambert, managing director of Chrysler Group UK, said “The Jeep Compass is designed to reach younger and female customers who may not have previously considered the brand but value the distinctive Jeep look and see four-wheel drive as a must-have on their daily drive. Customers are increasingly interested in family hatchbacks with four-wheel drive systems as they offer better handling and enhanced safety on the road.
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By GlobalDataThe Compass will be the first Jeep with the new ‘Freedom Drive’ 4WD system in a package the size of a C-segment Ford Focus.
Freedom Drive I is a full-time, active four-wheel drive system that operates in front-wheel drive for 90% of the time and automatically switches to 4×4 when more traction is required.
“This family hatchback-sized car represents a new chapter in the history of the Jeep brand – the compact 4×4 segment in western Europe is expected to increase to nearly 400,000 units by 2010, and this new car-based four-wheel drive vehicle means the Jeep brand is ideally placed to meet this growing demand,” Lambert added.
“The whole compact-4×4 segment is shifting – our competitors are pricing themselves out of the sub-£20,000 segment and we aim to fill this space this year.”
In the UK the top-specification Jeep Compass Limited will launch in May 2007 with the VW two-litre diesel and six-speed manual transmission and the 2.4-litre petrol engine with either five-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox.
The Patriot Sport and Limited models follow in July and will be the new entry-level models for the Jeep brand (though pricing has not been announced).
The Compass will be priced from GBP17,990 ($US35,140).
Lambert said: “We considered the role of the Compass and Patriot in the UK and customer research indicated that the classic Jeep looks of the Patriot had a very strong impact with UK buyers.
“The vast majority of our vehicles sold in the last few years have been diesel powered and it is vital for the success of these new Jeeps that we have a small diesel engine that is competitive in the family hatchback segment.”
Jeep said earlier it expected the Patriot to outsell the Compass 10 to one in the UK.
