We informed you earlier that the much-awaited Jeep Meridian will arrive in our market in 2022. The new three-row SUV is reportedly to be introduced in mid-2022, most probably around July-August. The production of the SUV will commence at FCA’s Ranjangaon facility by April 2022.
Fiat Chrysler Automobile has announced an investment of over $250 million, around INR 1,870 crore, by the end of next year. The investment will go towards the production of new models at its joint manufacturing facility in Ranjangaon, Pune. The production plant will also serve as the base for exporting the Jeep Meridian SUV to other RHD (Right-Hand-Drive) markets across the globe.
The Jeep Meridian is basically the renamed Commander 3-row SUV, which has recently been launched in Brazil. It is based on the modified Small-Wide 4×4 platform that also underpins the Compass and the Renegade. The SUV shares styling cues from the Compass and bigger Jeeps including the Wagoneer and the Grand Cherokee. In terms of proportions, the Jeep Meridian is 4,769mm long, 1,859mm wide and 1,682mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,794mm. The wheelbase has been increased by 158mm to accommodate a longer body. Compared to the Compass, the new Meridian is around 364mm longer, 41mm wider and 42mm taller.
The Meridian is basically the longer, more spacious and premium version of the Compass SUV. Design highlights include signature slat grille, rectangular full LED headlamps and tail-lamps, a newly designed bumper, large faux vents with LED DRLs and fog lamps with a chrome strip running across the front.
The SUV shares the cabin with the Compass; however, it more premium and offers better fit and finish. It will be offered with two seating options – a 6-seater and a 7-seater. The former will have captain seats in the second row. It gets 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 upcoming Jeep Meridian will be powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that also powers the Compass. This engine is capable of producing 173bhp and 200Nm of torque. It is also likely to get a 48V mild hybrid system, which should improve its efficiency. A 9-speed automatic gearbox will come as standard.
Source – autocarindia
