► New Jeep Compass unveiled at LA Auto Show
► Set to arrive in the UK market in early 2018
► Line-up to include off-road focused Trailhawk
Jeep is set to introduce its new Compass, a C-segment SUV, in early 2017. The all-American marque, in its 75th anniversary year and with year-to-date sales up 15 percent, is confident the new Compass will become its best-selling model.
Like the Renegade and the 500X, the Compass sits on FCA’s versatile small-wide platform. In the US it will replace the existing Compass and Patriot, and it’s earmarked to reach the UK in early 2018. Chunky of design, with design cues borrowed from both the younger, funkier Renegade and the Cherokee, the Compass will be priced between the two.
What engines will be offered?
Powertrain options for the UK are set to include a 1.6-litre diesel with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, a 2.0-litre diesel in two states of tune (138bhp or 168bhp) and with either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed auto and four-wheel drive.
There will also be a 1.4-litre petrol version with either four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive.
Will we get the rugged Trailhawk in the UK?
Trim levels for the US run through a four-tier hierarchy from Sport through Latitude and Trailhawk to top-spec Limited. The rufty-tufty Trailhawk should make it to the UK market, with dual-purpose tyres, towing eyes and underbody protection. Off-road credibility is of a different order of magnitude to the dirt-allergic 500X, with Jeep talk of a 30.3-degree approach angle, 24.4-degree break-over and a 33.6-degree departure angle, plus its five-mode Selec-Terrain system and hill descent control.
But for all the talk of blazing new trails and conquering wildernesses, the Compass will be loaded with all the required lifestyle essentials, including an optional gloss black roof, twin-pane panoramic roof and U-Connect touchscreen infotainment – with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Read more Los Angeles Auto Show news
