Jeep has been spied testing its upcoming Compass-based seven-seater SUV in the cold weather of Sweden. This prototype is adorned in body cladding and camouflage but we can still get a decent look at its design. Unsurprisingly, the front-end will look very similar to the regular Compass with the same front grille and in all probability, the same headlights.
The vehicle’s new proportions are
especially evident when viewed from the side thanks to extended rear doors and
an elongated roofline that also sits more upright than the current Compass. In
addition, the vehicle’s wheelbase has been lengthened to allow for a third-row
of seats. Camouflage and fake taillights make it difficult to determine what
rear-end changes the SUV will undergo.
Due to the vehicle’s Compass
underpinnings, we expect the interior of the seven-seater to look very similar
to its smaller sibling. As such, it could feature the same redesigned dashboard
and a freestanding 10.25-inch infotainment display. The 10.1-inch digital
instrument cluster will also be shared.
As Jeep’s new seven-seater is still some
time away from hitting the market, powertrain details remain unconfirmed. With
that being said, a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine with approximately 200
hp, all-wheel drive, and coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission is the
most likely candidate. It’s possible that a smaller 1.3-liter turbocharged
petrol mill with 180 hp and front-wheel drive will be offered in select
markets.
Interestingly, the SUV will not recycle
the Compass nameplate. It is currently codenamed ‘H6’ and will adopt a
distinctive name when it reaches the production line. It will be sold in key
markets around the world, including in India where right-hand drive variants
will be built.
