Jeep Compass registers 1000 bookings

Jeep India is yet to announce the price of the new Compass compact SUV

It seems that Jeep enthusiasts have been eagerly waiting for the new Compass. It has just been a few days since the company commenced bookings of the upcoming Compass and it has already registered 1,000 bookings. Customers can book the Jeep Compass by paying a minimum booking amount of Rs 50,000. Expected to be priced from Rs 18-23 lakhs, the Compass is likely to be launched sometime in August.

We drove the Compass earlier this month and were impressed by how the compact SUV stays true to the Jeep DNA. When launched, the Compass will be offered with two engine variants – a 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel and a 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged petrol. The petrol motor makes 160bhp and 260Nm, while the diesel puts out 170bhp and 250Nm. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The Compass also comes with a four-wheel drive option with Jeep’s terrain management system. Thanks to this system the Compass gets four driving modes – Auto, Sand, Snow and Rock.

Jeep officially entered the Indian market in August last year but only brought Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee SRT. Much to the disappointment of fans, all of these models were priced pretty high with the cheapest Wrangler diesel starting at Rs 71.59 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) at the time of launch. The American SUV maker then introduced a petrol Wrangler at Rs 56 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi), but that didn’t help the cause either. When launched, the Compass will be the most affordable product in the Jeep line-up in India – something that should help the brand in gaining some traction.