Jeep® Compass - All-new 2007 Jeep® Compass
Grows Brand in a New Direction
PRESS RELEASE - January 9, 2006
 All-new 2007 Jeep® Compass Grows Brand in a New Direction
- Breakthrough Jeep® vehicle conquers all-new territory
- Jeep Compass' modern, urban design appeals to new Jeep buyers
- Interior features utility, flexibility and loads of cool innovations
- Value abounds with outstanding fuel economy and long list of
standard safety features.
The Jeep® brand is expanding into new territory with the all-new 2007
Jeep Compass - a modern-styled Jeep vehicle that delivers fun, freedom,
utility and Jeep 4x4 capability. Jeep Compass also provides exceptional
fuel economy, a long list of safety features and interior flexibility, all
at a great value.
Based on the Jeep Compass concept first introduced at the 2005
International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, the 2007 Jeep Compass is an
all-new product that combines the packaging and functionality of a
sport-utility vehicle (SUV) with the performance, handling, fuel economy
and price of a compact car or small pickup. Compass is the Jeep brand's
first front-wheel-drive-based product with a fully independent suspension
for comfortable on-road ride and handling and fun-to-drive
characteristics. Jeep Compass will be available in both front- and
four-wheel drive.
"Compact and nimble, Jeep Compass brings a new sense of adventure,
performance, fuel-economy and value not expected in a compact SUV," said
Jeff Bell, Vice President - Jeep, Chrysler Group. "With Compass, Jeep
continues to grow by offering a modern-styled Jeep designed to reach
consumers who may not have previously considered the brand. Jeep Compass
provides 4x4 confidence, brand cachet and the inspiring sense of
excitement and adventure that only Jeep can offer," Bell added.
The 2007 Jeep Compass and Jeep Compass Limited models will be available
in U.S. dealerships and global volume markets in the third quarter of
2006.
Conquering New Territory
Jeep Compass will compete in the compact SUV segment, which is expected
to grow considerably in the next decade, giving the Jeep brand the
opportunity to grow with it. Annual compact SUV volume in the United
States for the 2004 calendar year was 297,000 units or 1.7 percent of the
market. The compact SUV segment is expected to almost double to 568,000
units by 2010 and almost triple to 814,000 units by 2016.
With the all-new Jeep Compass, Jeep is targeting single or recently
married educated professionals in their early 20s to early 40s, who are
independent and family-oriented. These buyers skew female and earn a
median income of $60,000. Fifty percent are college educated. Upscale,
fashionable and refined items fit their lifestyle. They want a
sophisticated and modern vehicle that allows them to break from the
routine, and Jeep Compass is designed and engineered to exceed those
needs.
A Modern Interpretation of Traditional Jeep Styling
Sleek and sophisticated, the Jeep Compass broadens the global appeal of
the Jeep brand by attracting new buyers who may not have previously
considered the brand. "The Jeep Compass is an all-new design statement for
Jeep," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President - Design. "Compass
fulfills the demands of customers who want a Jeep that is modern, stylish
and refined, but still offers the credibility and characteristics
associated with the Jeep brand name," Creed added.
The Jeep Compass features the brand's signature seven-slot grille,
round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel openings. However, there also are
several modern design twists that distinguish Compass from traditionally
styled Jeep vehicles. The all-new silhouette, with a steeply raked
windshield, expressive hood and deep fascia, gives the Jeep Compass its
modern, yet capable appearance. The Jeep Compass' side profile features
uniquely sculptured fender forms delivering a fresh, athletic
interpretation of traditional Jeep trapezoidal wheel flares. Standard
17-inch aluminum wheels and available 18-inch aluminum or chrome-clad
wheels explore Compass' dual nature: off-road capable and on-road
sophistication.
Jeep Utility Built Inside and Out
Jeep Compass' flexible interior gives buyers the capability to do more
in terms of seating friends and storing gear. A command-of-the road
seating position gives drivers an added feeling of control. Compass has
39.3 inches of rear seat leg room, 52.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the
rear seats folded flat and 60.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the front
passenger seat back and rear seats folded flat.
In addition to interior spaciousness and flexibility, Jeep Compass has
many clever and unique interior features available that add functionality
not typically found in a compact SUV, including:
- Standard side-curtain air bags
- Available Boston Acoustics premium sound system includes two
articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is
open, the speakers can swing down to face rearward for tailgating and
other activities
- Available dual purpose, self-recharging removable cargo lamp, which
is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and can snap out of the
bezel to serve as a flashlight
- A sliding center armrest moves forward 3 inches to accommodate
shorter drivers. The armrest lid includes a unique flip pocket for
storing a cell phone or an MP3 player
- Available 110-volt outlet in the center console powers small
electronics
- Available fold-flat front passenger seat creates a table-like
surface for versatility
- Available 60/40 rear seats both fold flat and recline 12 degrees
- Vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area is both washable and
removable
- YES Essentials® fabric - an easy-care, soil-repellant and
anti-microbial textile protects seats from stains, odors and
discoloration
World-class Engineering
The 2007 Jeep Compass' powertrain is designed to deliver world-class
performance, fuel economy and refinement.
Compass features a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine with
dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts,
which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds. This World Engine
produces more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation
than engines without dual VVT. Dual VVT is a technology typically not
available on vehicles sold in the United States in this price class.
Jeep Compass also features a standard five-speed manual transaxle and
an available Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT2). CVT2 is a
second-generation CVT that Chrysler Group engineers calibrated for
pleasing engine response, precise ratio control and an available
AutoStick® feature on the Compass Limited model that allows for manual
control with the simulation of six stepped gears. CVT2 contributes to a
fuel economy improvement of 6–8 percent compared with a traditional
4-speed automatic. A 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine will be available for
markets outside North America.
Jeep 4x4 Capability and Safety
Jeep Compass will offer customers the confidence and assurance that
comes with Jeep 4x4 capability.
Compass' available active, full-time 4x4 system is recommended for
daily use, including driving in snow and rain. The four-wheel-drive "Lock"
mode is recommended for deep snow, deep sand and other low-traction
surfaces.
Jeep Compass also shows that capability and safety go hand in hand.
Both the standard full-time and "Lock" modes include many standard safety
features including: Brake Traction Control, driver-controlled three-mode
Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Brake Assist, Electronic Roll
Mitigation and anti-lock brakes with rough-road detection. Compass'
standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes provide an excellent 60–0 mph dry
pavement stopping distance of 125 ft.
Added Jeep capability is evident from Compass' 8-inches of ground
clearance, 21.1-degree approach angle, 32-degree departure angle and
21-degree breakover angle. Compass features standard 17-inch wheels and
all-season touring tires and available 18-inch wheels and all-season
performance tires.
Jeep Compass Model Line-up
The newest Jeep will be available in both Compass and Compass Limited
models. Both are available with front-wheel and four-wheel-drive
capability.
The Jeep Compass includes a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World
Engine coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle. Other standard
equipment includes: standard side-curtain air bags, ESP, traction control,
ABS, a fold-flat vinyl load floor, AM/FM CD radio with an auxiliary audio
input jack, cloth seats, 12-volt power outlet, manual windows, locks, and
foldaway mirrors, silver interior bezels and door arm rests, tilt steering
wheel, dome and cargo lights, floor mats and a center console sliding
armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The
armrest lid features a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an
MP3 player.
Additional exterior standard features include fog lamps, body-color
grille and fascias, body-color bodyside molding, black door handles,
accent-color liftgate appliqué and 17-inch aluminum wheels and touring
tires.
Optional features on Jeep Compass include four-wheel-drive capability,
a second-generation CVT2, seat-mounted side air bags, heated cloth or
leather seats, AM/FM radio with six-disc CD player and MP3 CD play
capability, flexible 60/40 split-fold rear seats, SIRIUS Satellite Radio,
air conditioning, power group (which includes driver one-touch power
windows, power locks, Remote Keyless Entry and power mirrors), deep-tinted
glass, security alarm, trailer tow prep package, daytime running lamps,
17-inch all-terrain OWL tires, a full-size spare tire, engine block
heater, 110-volt outlet in the center console, a removable, rechargeable
interior lamp, fold-flat passenger seat, tonneau cover, speed control,
full-size spare tire, map lights, manual seat height adjuster, 60/40 rear
seats that both fold flat and recline, passenger assist handles and
illuminated entry, YES Essentials® fabric - an easy-care, soil-repellant
and anti-microbial textile that protects seats from stains, odors and
discoloration, a Driver Convenience Group (which includes tire pressure
monitor and electrochromic mirror), Leather Interior Group (which includes
leather seats, manual lumbar, leather steering wheel with radio controls,
heated seats and floor mats), UConnect™ hands-free communication system
and a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system that features two
articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open,
the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for
tailgating and other activities.
The Jeep Compass Limited also is available in both front-wheel and
four-wheel drive and features a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World
Engine coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle or an optional CVT2. In
addition to the standard features on the Jeep Compass model, the Limited
model features bright front and rear fascia overlays, bright side
moldings, 18-inch aluminum wheels and tires, Leather Interior Group and
heated seats.
Beyond those offered on the Jeep Compass model, available options on
the Jeep Compass Limited model include: 18-inch chrome clad wheels,
sunroof, Driver Convenience Group (which includes compass and temperature
gauge, tire pressure monitor and electrochromic mirror), AutoStick and
body-color bodyside molding.
All 2007 Jeep Compass models will be available in Jeep Green Metallic
Clear Coat, Khaki Metallic Clear Coat, Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat,
Marine Blue Pearl Coat, Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat, Bright Silver
Metallic Clear Coat, Black Clear Coat and Stone White Clear Coat.
All models feature a two-tone interior color theme of dark and lighter
shades of Pastel Slate Gray or Pastel Pebble Beige.
2007 Jeep Compass Production
Production of the 2007 Jeep Compass begins in the second quarter of
2006 at the newly refurbished Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant. The new
172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine that powers the Compass is built in
the state-of-the art Global Engine Manufacturing Assembly (GEMA) plant in
Dundee, Mich.
Jeep Brand
The heroic heritage of Jeep and its dominance of the sport-utility
market stretch back more than 65 years. Jeep is known worldwide for its
core attributes of mastery, authenticity, freedom and adventure. The Jeep
Compass, with excellent fuel efficiency, an affordable price and proven
Jeep capability, provides an opportunity to expand the brand and attract
new buyers around the world.
Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA)
The World Engine is a family of world-class four-cylinder engines
produced by GEMA in Dundee, Michigan, delivering an exceptional
combination of quality, fuel efficiency, refinement and performance. GEMA
is owned equally by DaimlerChrysler Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and
Hyundai Motor Company. By optimizing the three joint venture partners'
strengths, global economies of scale and the latest practices in flexible
teams and machines, GEMA aims to set a new benchmark in engine plant
productivity.
Source: DaimlerChrysler Media Services.
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