New Compass Sends Jeep into Urban JungleJeep unveiled its new compact crossover in Detroit at the NAIAS in January, a car that points the brand in an entirely new direction. Considering its mission, the new Compass is aptly named. The DaimlerChrysler division is hoping to boost its
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| Jeep is hoping to boost its reach with the new Compass, shown here beingintroduced in Detroit by Joe Eberhardt, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President - Global Sales, Marketing, & Service. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
reach by appealing to a whole new market of non-traditional Jeep buyers. Aimed at a younger more urban market that is looking for sleeker lines, fashionable styling, not "Trail Rated" off-roading capabilities, Jeep is hoping to steal customers that may have purchased a Ford Escape or Honda CR-V in the past, not a traditional Jeep product.
"The Jeep Compass is an all-new design statement for Jeep," commented Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President of Design, DaimlerChrysler. "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."
The public first got a glimpse of the entry-level Jeep at the 2005 International
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| The public first got a glimpse of the entry level Jeep at the 2005 International Motor Show in Frankfurt as a concept. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
Motor Show in Frankfurt as a concept, but the production Compass, slated to go on sale later this year as a 2007 model, looks like it took a few styling cues from Infiniti (QX56) when seen from the side. Up front, a pumped up (plumped up?) version of Jeep's seven slot signature grille is flanked by traditional round headlights, while the molded front fenders encase circular fog lamps. With 8 inches of ground clearance, more than a Toyota 4Runner, incidentally, this city jeep rolls on standard 17-inch aluminum wheels. While the sizable rims are impressive enough, 18-inch aluminum or chrome-clad alloys are also available. From behind, more traditional hints of the Jeep brand are evident.
The Compass produces 172 horses from its 2.4-litre World
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| The Compass produces 172 horses from its 2.4-litre World Engine, the result of a cooperative effort shared with Hyundai and Mitsubishi. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
Engine, the result of a cooperative effort shared with Hyundai and Mitsubishi, with dual variable valve timing also making its debut. This is Jeep's first front-wheel drive based product as well, although drivers can choose a four-wheel drive option instead. While the Compass isn't for hard core off-roading, the 4x4 system will help on ice and snow clogged city roads, and as mentioned, it offers decent ground clearance which should translate into reasonable capabilities on the trail.
This low cost Jeep also features a standard five-speed manual gearbox and an available continuously variable transmission (CVT), the latter to optimize performance and fuel economy over a conventional automatic gearbox. The
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| The Compass dash is impressive with a steel-like inserts, while seating is comfortably spacious. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
Limited model comes with a version of Chrysler Group's acclaimed AutoStick manual-mode shifter, but due to its CVT application it features the "simulation" of six stepped gears. Standard on both models are such safety features as side-curtain airbags, ESP stability control, traction control and ABS-enhanced brakes.
The Compass interior comes in two colour schemes, including a two-tone motif of dark and lighter shades of Pastel Slate Gray or Pastel Pebble Beige in top-line models. Its dash is impressive with metal-like inserts, while seating is comfortably spacious.
