2016 Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass
The Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass are
set to be replaced by a new mid-size crossover this year. Commonly referred to
as Jeep C-SUV, it reportedly has its world premiere at the 2016 New York
International Auto Show in March.
Early development of the Jeep C-SUV was
on a modified Jeep Renegade body. The engineering mules of the production
version have been spied many times, and based on their spyshots, speculative
renderings from Car And Driver Brazil preview the likely design and styling of
the production Jeep C-SUV (codename: Jeep 551).
A new report from The Detroit News says
that either of the two names (Jeep Patriot or Jeep Compass) will be retained
for the Jeep 551. Underpinning the new crossover is a modified version of the
Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade’s small-wide front-wheel drive platform. This means
that the Nissan Qashqai rival will have a car-like unibody construction.
Front-wheel drive layout should be
standard while all-wheel drive should be available moving up the range. Engine
and transmission choices should include ~164 hp 2.0-liter Tigershark petrol and
~170 hp 2.0-liter MultiJet II diesel and 6-speed manual and 9-speed automatic.
