Jeep has a long range of variants on offer for the Compass, but those who wanted an automatic were restricted to either a petrol engine or the top-spec Trailhawk variant. There has been demand for a diesel automatic right from the time the Compass was first launched, and Jeep has finally filled in that gap. The Compass is now available in two new diesel variants, a 4x4 Longitude 9AT priced at Rs 21.96 lakh and the Limited Plus 4x4 9AT Rs 24.99 lakh (prices are ex-showroom, pan-India).
Partha Datta, President and Managing Director, FCA India said, “We are strengthening and expanding the Jeep Compass range with the introduction of four diesel automatic variants, of which, the base and top-end variant will available to consumers right away. Both variants offer more equipment, boosting the value-for-money proposition for the customer which we believe will increase our share in the segment.”
Jeep has also given the Longitude 4x4 9AT variant more standard equipment. It now gets cruise control for the first time, a larger 7-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and a push button start. The Limited Plus 4x4 9AT retains the same sizeable feature list with the 8.4-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, powered drive seat and auto headlamps, among others. Both new variants will come mated to the locally-produced BS6 2-litre diesel engine that outputs a healthy 170bhp and 350Nm of torque.
Jeep’s strategy of offering more automatic variants and more equipment on the mid-range trim, aims to get more buyers to sway toward the Compass. We will see how well this works out in the coming months with a wave of new SUVs headed our way. Two additional variants of the Compass with a diesel engine and automatic gearbox will be announced soon, but bookings for the aforementioned ones are open at Jeep showrooms all over the country already.