We reported earlier that Jeep will launch the much-awaited 7-seater SUV based on the Compass in India in early 2022. The SUV will first go on sale in Brazil before the end of 2021. It is called the Jeep Commander for the international markets; however, the India-spec model will be called the Jeep Meridian.
The Jeep Meridian 7-seater SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace and the Toyota Fortuner. The SUV will be produced at the FCA’s Ranjangaon facility. This production is also likely to work as an export hub for right-hand-drive markets like Latin America.
The 7-seater Jeep Meridian has been spotted again during its test rounds on the Indian roads. The prototype looks like a near-production model, which suggest that the debut could take place in the coming months. The SUV has an extended body, though the design language is similar to the Compass and other Jeep SUVs including the Grand Cherokee.
The styling of the Jeep Meridian seems inspired by Jeep’s Grand Wagoneer, featuring multi-slated vertical grille, high-set bonnet, rectangular shaped LED headlamps with integrated DRLs, big bumper with wider air-inlet and pronounced wheel arches. The SUV features newly styled U-shaped alloy wheels, longer rear overhang, flattish roofline and raked front windshield.
The SUV gets an horizontally placed LED tail-lamp and an upright tailgate. There will be a chrome bar that connects the two tail-lights. It will have a roof-integrated spoiler. The rear profile is heavily inspired by the Grand Cherokee and the Wagoneer.
The new Jeep Meridian will be based on the FCA’s Small-Wide 4×4 platform, which has been modified to accommodate a longer wheelbase. Adding to it, the architecture will be stronger and stiffer, and will also accommodate the second-gen Renegade. The SUV is likely to be offered in 6-and 7-seat layouts. The SUV will feature a 10.21-inch all-digital instrument console and a large 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system will be compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It will support Adventure Intelligence platform that allows customer to lock and unlock the car, start the engine and other using a smartphone application.
The 7-seater Meridian will be powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine with a 48V mild hybrid system. This engine is likely to produce over 200bhp of power and over 400Nm of torque. It will be paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Source – Overdrive
