The Jeep Compass is a compact crossover SUV to be introduced for the
2007 model year. Pricing will start around US$20,000. Jeep made its
public debut of the Compass at the 2006 North American International
Auto Show in January.
The Compass and Patriot are both based on the Chrysler/Mitsubishi GS
platform. These vehicles will be differentiated by their styling and
marketing: The Patriot is a traditional 4-door Jeep wagon, while the
Compass is intended as a sporty "hot hatch" crossover like the Toyota
Matrix. The Dodge Caliber, also based on the GS platform, is a
combination of these two segments.
It will use a four-cylinder 172 hp (128 kW) 2.4 L GEMA gasoline
engine and might also get a 2.0 L Volkswagen-designed diesel engine for
the European market. The car will also feature an
electronically-controlled all wheel drive system with variable torque
between speeds of 25 and 65 mph for optimal handling. These will be the
first Jeeps offered in many years that don't feature "trail rated"
models, ie. stock models that can traverse the Rubicon Trail without
modifications. Nicknamed the "Fat Kid" by many sarcastic auto
enthusiasts, the Jeep Compass resembles a pudgy kid who just finished
stuffing his mouth with pie.
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