American SUV maker, Jeep has officially announced to launch an all-new sub-4 meter SUV in the Indian market. The new Jeep baby SUV is currently under development, and Jeep engineers are busy in fine tuning the platform and feature content. To be positioned below the Renegade, the upcoming baby SUV will be the brand’s smallest and most affordable offering globally.
Could Use Groupe PSA’s CMP Platform
It is highly unlikely that Jeep will use the Renegade’s Small-Wide 4×4 platform to develop the new baby SUV. In fact, the Compass and the upcoming 7-seater SUV Codenamed Jeep H6 are also based on this platform.
Going by the media reports, FCA could source the Groupe PSA’s CMP (Common Modular Platform) to develop the baby SUV. It is no secret that Groupe PSA and FCA joined hands to form a new JV, which will work on developing new platforms, products and technology. Sharing platform will help Jeep to keep production cost low. In fact, Citroen’s upcoming mini SUV, codenamed C21 will also use the CMP modular platform in India.
Launch Timeline
Jeep has announced that the Compass based 7-seater SUV will be launched in the country in early 2022. The baby SUV is yet to hit roads for testing purposes. It is expected that the new model could be launched by the end of 2022 or early 2023. Jeep could also present the pre-production version or the concept version of the SUV at the 2022 Auto Expo.
SUV with AWD system
The sub-4 meter SUV will be the only SUV in its category to offer All-Wheel-Drive or 4×4 system. This will make it relatively expensive over the existing front-wheel-drive urban crossovers.
What’s Under The Hood
The upcoming Jeep Baby SUV is expected to be powered by a detuned version of the 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This engine is likley to produce around 130bhp of power. Jeep could also source the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Groupe PSA. Likely to produce around 130bhp, this engine will also power the upcoming Citroen C21 compact SUV. The diesel engine could be introduced if demand for such vehicles exists in 2022-23.
Export to RHD markets
The new Jeep sub-4 meter SUV will also be exported to select right-hand-drive markets. It will be produced at FCA’s Ranajangaon facility, which also produces the Compass. The SUV is also expected to receive plug-in hybrid powertrain for the European markets.
