Jeep Reaches Out to Entirely New Customer Base with New Front-Drive Compass

New Compass Sends Jeep into Urban Jungle

DaimlerChrysler unveiled its new compact crossover in Detroit at the NAIAS, the new Compass. Jeep is hoping to boost its

Jeep is hoping to boost its reach by appealing to a whole new market ofnon-traditional 4x4 buyers with its new Compass, shown here beingintroduced in Detroit. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

reach by appealing to a whole new market of non-traditional 4x4 buyers. Aimed at a younger more urban market that is looking for more modern lines, fashionable styling, not "Trail Rated" off-roading capabilities, Jeep is hoping to steal customers that may have purchased a Ford Escape or a Honda CR-V in the past, not a traditional Jeep product.

"The Jeep Compass is an all-new design statement for Jeep," said 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

The public first got a glimpse of the entry level Jeep at the 2005 International Motor Show in Frankfurt as a concept. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

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 version of Jeep's seven slot signature grille is flanked by traditional round headlights, while the molded front fenders encase circular fog lights. With 8 inches of ground clearance, more than a Toyota 4Runner, incidentally, this city jeep rolls on standard 17-inch aluminum wheels, but 18-inch aluminum or chrome-clad alloys are available. From behind, more traditional hints of the Jeep brand are evident.

The Compass produces 172 horses from its 2.4-liter World

The Compass produces 172 horses from its 2.4-liter World Engine, the result of a cooperative effort shared with Hyundai and Mitsubishi. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

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 too, 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. The

The Compass dash is impressive with a steel-like inserts, while seating is comfortably spacious. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

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 air bags, ESP stability control, traction control and ABS-enhanced brakes.

The Compass interior comes in two color 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 a steel-like inserts, while seating is comfortably spacious.