Yesterday a spokesman for DaimlerChrysler Canada would neither confirm nor deny that Jeep's Compass, a concept last year, has been given the green light for production. But according to a Chrysler Group dealer representative addressing a crowd of U.S. retailers at the National Automobile Dealers' Association in San Francisco earlier this year, it's a go-ahead.
Expect prices to be slightly less than the 4x4 capable Liberty it's based on, speculated to debut in the low $20,000 range. The new model has not been designed for serious off-road expeditions but focuses on on-road driving dynamics instead. This poses a major break from Jeep's Rubicon Trail tough brand identity, but alternatively opens opportunities up for an altogether new kind of Jeep, and therefore a new group of potential customers.
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The Compass concept was powered by the Liberty's 3.7-L V6 but production models will feature a variety of engines, most likely starting with a new 2.0-L class of 4-cylinder engines expected to debut about the time the Compass becomes available. The current Liberty sports a 2.4-L 4-cylinder in base trim, so expect something with a similar displacement for the Compass.
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Currently there's no launch date, but it is unlikely production examples will debut before model year 2005. If you'd like to find out more about the Compass, check Jeep in the Concepts section of this website for a detailed review.
