Made-in-India Jeep Compass likely to be priced under Rs 25 lakh; production to start mid-2017

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles launched the iconic Jeep brand in India on August 1. Since then, the company has launched Wrangler and Grand Cherokee variants at a more than expected price range, raising many eyebrows on the possibility of their success.

Fiat quickly added that it will launch the Made in India Jeep products at an affordable price range and the emerging reports indicate that Jeep's Made in India product is the Compass and it will be priced below Rs 25 lakh.

"We have named our first to-be-India-made SUV as Jeep Compass which will be locally manufactured from mid-2017. The Compass will be our first localised Jeep product in India and will roll out of our Ranjangaon facility near Pune," ET Auto quoted Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India president and managing director Kevin Flynn as saying.

Jeep Compass will go up against BMW X1, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Audi Q3 range. A pricing under Rs 25 lakh will make the Compass a compelling case in the segment.

Jeep unveiled the new Compass in August and it is a departure from the current ordinary-looking version. The overall design is crisper in the latest avatar and is in line with the Grand Cherokee. The pronouncing grille and wrap-around headlamp gives a contemporary look to the new Compass. The alloy wheels are in chrome shade and the vehicle also sports a contrasting roof colour. The vehicle is expected to get an eight-inch infotainment system and features like climate control and push-button start.

For India, the Compass will be employed with 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engine options with maximum power of 170bhp. The engines will be coupled with 9-speed automatic, while a manual transmission is also expected. Jeep India will manufacture this model not only for the domestic market but also for right-hand-drive global markets.