FCA India is all set to roll out the Jeep Compass from its Ranjangaon manufacturing facility by June 2017. The car and SUV manufacturer had invested US $280 million in the Jeep Compass project. The Compass, according to Jeep, will have the highest levels of quality and will be one of the safest SUVs on Indian roads when launched in the third quarter of calendar year 2017.
The Company has announced two powertrain options that will be offered with the Jeep Compass – the 160+ hp, 250 Nm Multi-air petrol unit and the 170+ hp, 350 Nm, diesel unit. The SUV will also come with options of the 6-speed manual transmission and the 7-speed Dual Dry Clutch Technology (DDCT) automatic transmission. Both these engines will be scalable to BS-VI regulatory requirements in India.
FCA launched the Jeep brand in the market for the first time in August 2016 with its Completely Built Units (CBU) and the company has been on track with its strategy to launch a heavily localized SUV for the Indian market this year. The exterior styling of the Jeep Compass is fresh but has the design cues that Jeep SUVs are recognized with. The Jeep seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches define the Jeep Compass’ roots.
The Jeep Compass will come with four-wheel drive capability called as Jeep Active Drive, which is equipped with Select Terrain Traction Management System. The SUV will come with a Driveline Disconnect Technology (DDT). DDT disconnects the drive that goes to the rear wheels automatically when not required. This helps in fuel saving and assists safer driving.
The Jeep Compass will offer the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) across the range. The EPB comes in four modes. The Jeep Compass will be the only SUV in this size and classification that will offer this safety and security feature across the range. Also on offer would be Frequency Selective Damping (FSD). This technology provides variable damping that adjusts to road undulations. These shock absorbers use a special valve inside to enable an optimal ride at both high and low frequencies.
With over 50 safety and security features, the Jeep Compass will be one of the safest SUVs of this size on Indian roads. Customers will have the luxury of having safety features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Steering Torque (DST), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Adaptive Brake Lights, Panic Brake Assist and such features as standard across the range. The Compass will also be equipped with six airbags with dual stage passenger airbags. The Made-in-India Jeep Compass is being manufactured in 50 different trim, powertrain, transmission and colour combinations so Indian customers will have an extensive range of options.
At the SUV’s first showcase at the manufacturing facility 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 come with several Industry-first features and will set benchmarks in the Indian SUV space. 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.”