Jeep’s Answer to Hyundai Venue is Launching in 2020 – Confirmed
It is no secret that Jeep is readying 2 new SUVs – a sub-4 meter SUV and a 7-seater SUV for the Indian market. The compact SUV will sit under 4 meter in length and will take on the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport and the Mahindra XUV300. Jeep is not participating at the Auto Expo 2020, which suggests that the unveiling of the compact SUV could take place sometime next year.
In terms of pricing, the Jeep compact SUV will sit above its contemporaries. In fact, the small SUV is likely to come with off-road capabilties and could be the only SUV in the category to offer 4WD system. The small SUV is most likely to use Fiat Panda’s 4×4 platform. Also See – Jeep to launch 3 new SUVs in India in 2020
In a recent interview to Business Standard, Kevin Flynn, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India’s MD, confirmed that the BSVI Jeep Compass Trailhawk will be followed by the sub-4 meter SUV in 2020. He further added that the compact SUV will be around the size of the Ford EcoSport and Maruti Brezza. It is also confirmed that the Compass platform based 7-seater SUV is also likely to debut sometime next year or early 2021.
While the lower variants will be offered with the front-wheel drive layout, the top-spec model could receive the trail-rated version with 4WD system. It is expected to be powered by a de-tuned version of the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that also powers the Compass. The compact SUV is likely to be launched in petrol avatar only. However, the company could later add a diesel engine to the line-up. Fiat has a 1.6-litre MJD diesel engine, which earlier powers the S-Cross. FCA could develop a 1.5-litre engine on the 1.6L block to power its smaller SUVs.
Jeep sub-4 meter SUV could also receive a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from Fiat’s FireFly lineup. This engine is capable of producing 118bhp of power and 190Nm of torque. Both manual and automatic versions are likely to be on offer.
