The all-new Jeep Compass made its world premiere this week in Brazil as a means to celebrate the launch of production at the Jeep Assembly Plant in Goiana, Pernambuco.
Standing as the replacement for both the previous-generation Compass and 2016 Patriot, the new Compass slots just above the Renegade and is built upon an elongated version of its “Small Wide 4×4” platform. Stylistically, it looks more like a Jeep Cherokee, the vehicle under which it is slotted in Jeep’s lineup.
Mike Manley, head of the Jeep and Ram brands, told USA Today that the Compass name was ultimately chosen over that of Patriot because it has more global appeal. Plans of the replacement for the Compass and Patriot originally came to light in October 2015.
Jeep is not yet forthcoming with particulars, but it did note that the 2017-18 Compass will be configurable with 17 different powertrain options globally. Autoblog predicts that it is most likely to receive a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four or a 2.4-liter I-4 in the United States, both of which are almost certain to be mated to a nine-speed automatic.
The next-generation Compass will be built in Toluca, Mexico, with production set to kick off this coming January. The current Compass and Patriot are built in Belvidere, Illinois, where Jeep recently announced $350 million would be invested to support production of the Cherokee.
Jeep states that the 2017-18 Compass will be made available for purchase by Q1 2017, and notes that more information about the vehicle will be made available this November at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
News Sources: Autoblog, USA Today
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