Jeep’s Vitara Brezza and Fortuner Rivals Coming in the Next 2 years
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Fiat Chrysler Automobile has decided to phase out the Italian brand – Fiat from the Indian market by the end of this year. The Group will now focus entirely on expanding Jeep brand in India. Jeep is gearing up for the launch the Compass Trailhawk edition, which has already been spotted multiple times on Indian roads. Adding to it, the new-gen Wrangler and Grand Cherokee will also arrive in India in the next 1 year. FCA has also announced that it will develop 2 India-specific models, which will be launched in 2020-21.
Jeep is currently working on a sub-4 meter SUV based on the new-gen Fiat Panda’s platform. This model is scheduled to be launched in 2020. To be locally developed at Fiat’s Ranjangaon facility, the new sub-4 meter SUV is expected to be priced under Rs 10 lakh. It will challenge the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300 and the upcoming Hyundai Styx.
For this SUV, Jeep could develop new petrol and diesel engines. The company currently has 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol and 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine. However, these engines will increase the prices of the SUV. FCA could develop a new 1.5-litre diesel engine based on the 1.6L unit, which will be compliant with BSVI emission norms. Moreover, the petrol version could use the de-tuned 1.4-litre engine or the turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine.
Not just sub-4 meter SUV, Jeep will also launch the 7-seater D-segment SUV to challenge the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Skoda Kodiaq. This SUV will be based on the Jeep’s Small Wide platform that also underpins the Compass. It will be locally developed at the Ranjangaon facility and could be exported to select developing nations. This SUV could be powered by a BSVI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that produces 173bhp of power and 350Nm of torque.
