We’ve known that the Jeep Compass is going to be launched in the third quarter of this year for a while now and we also got the news that the local production of the Compass will commence in June this year. But that isn’t the big story here. What a lot of people aren’t talking about is the story of the Jeep Compass itself.
The Compass boasts of a premium design language that links directly to the Grand Cherokee design DNA
The Compass project started out when Jeep decided that they needed a C segment SUV for global markets. There is a distinct need for an SUV player like Jeep to be present in this segment and the challenge lay in figuring out exactly what to build as the single answer to numerous markets. As the plan evolved, the one thing that was clear was that the product had to remain a ‘Jeep’ regardless of its size. The DNA had to remain intact and it wasn’t about building an SUV, but building a Jeep. On that note and after having the chance of seeing the Compass in the flesh, I can honestly say that it is a Jeep to the truest sense and you can’t argue its pedigree.
The Jeep Compass for India
On that note, Jeep India invited us out to their Ranjangaon facility to see the Compass, understand what went into the making of it and finally we got a plant tour as well. As with every car, the journey begins with the design.
The Jeep Compass Design Journey
Inspiration was drawn from Iron Man and the SR 71 Blackbird as well!
Jeep has two distinct designs. For the premium market they have the Grand Cherokee which offers a sporty athletic look. It’s sculptural, more aerodynamic and definitely premium. On the other hand they have the Wrangler which is all about utility, simplicity and rugged. Keeping that in mind, Jeep had to figure out which design philosophy they intended to follow for the Compass and in doing so, they turned to get their inspiration from many things – including the SR-71 Blackbird as well as Iron Man! Having said that, the other key design element that they have managed to keep intact is the direct lineage to the Grand Cherokee. In fact, the Compass has a similar aura; however it’s a lot smaller.
The young and sporty theme carries over to the interior as well and Jeep has drawn inspiration from fighter jets to sharks in order to create a premium ambience. In addition to that, Jeep has ensured that the Compass also offers a healthy amount of space for passengers and cargo on board.
Engine options on the Jeep Compass
A state of the art manufacturing facility
For the Indian market, the Jeep Compass will be offered with a 1.4 litre Multi-air petrol engine that delivers 160+ hp and 250 Nm of torque, while the diesel variant will be powered by a 2.0 litre unit that generates 170+ hp and 350 Nm of torque. In addition to that, the Compass will be offered with a choice of transmissions that include a six-speed manual or a seven-speed AT box that boasts of their dual dry clutch technology.
While the Compass is offered with different engines in other parts of the world, for India, these were chosen as the best fit keeping in mind our sentiment for frugal vehicles.
Jeep Compass 4×4 capability
It’s got the Jeep DNA
Now this is one department that Jeep insisted on having absolutely no compromise. In order to retain that Jeep DNA, the Compass had to deliver on its off-road abilities as well. To ensure that it can do just about everything that the bigger Jeeps do, the Compass comes fitted with Jeep Active Drive that includes the Selec Terrain Traction Management System which offers four distinct modes including Auto, Snow, Mud and Sand. It also comes with a driveline disconnect technology which disconnects the drive that goes to the rear wheels automatically when not required and essentially turns the Compass into a 4×2. This ensures that you get the best efficiency while on tarmac, and if you do leave the black top behind, you have the capability to handle the rough stuff at the touch of a button. The Compass also offers a 4×4 lock.
The tech-savvy Jeep Compass
Over 50 safety and security features on board
The Jeep Compass might be a C-segment SUV, but it does come with a ton of bells and whistles. To start with, there are over 50 safety and security features. These include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Steering Torque (DST), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Adaptive Brake Lights, Panic Brake Assist and many more such features which incidentally will be offered as standard across the range. The Compass also gets six airbags with dual stage passenger airbags. The other cool tech on board is the electric parking brake that comes in four modes.
What the boss has to say about the Jeep Compass
Mr. Kevin Flynn - President and Managing Director, FCA India
Mr. 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.”
He added, “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.”
What about the manufacturing facility?
Laser Cutting
Set up with an investment of USD 280 million, the Jeep facility is said to be second to none. It has been benchmarked against the three other facilities that are making the Compass, namely in China, Mexico and Brazil and there is a matter of pride in what has been achieved on ground here in India. The line incorporates the latest in equipment, best practices and technologies such as the metrology lab (which is the heart of the entire body facility) and FIAPL claims that the Jeep Compass is going to set the benchmark in terms of production quality in the Indian automobile industry.
What’s so great about manufacturing the Compass in India?
Plasma Welding
Apart from conforming to the ‘Make in India’ program, the fact that India is one of the four locations chosen for the production of the Compass is an achievement in itself. Further to that, the Indian operations will also export the Jeep Compass to a plethora of right-hand-drive markets including the UK, Japan, some ASEAN countries, Australia and South Africa. To put it simply, this is a #bigwin for Jeep India.
The all important question of pricing
Production starts in June
A lot has been said about the Compass, and the investment that has gone into making it. Sure, it is a premium product and here in India we do expect it to compete against the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, BMW X1, Audi Q3 and to a certain extent the Mercedes-Benz GLA as well. Having said that and from what we could gauge at the presentation in Ranjangaon, the Jeep Compass does come with a lot more kit and capability as compared to the competition. It has the added advantage of being made in India with a relatively high degree of localisation as well which, according to me, should allow Jeep India to price it extremely aggressively against the competition.
We sure hope the Jeep Compass is aggressively priced
Broad speculation is that the Compass will be offered around the Rupees 25 lakh mark, but if my word could sway the jury on this account, I would personally love to see it offered for a couple lakh lower. It would start a fire in the market!
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