American automaker Jeep is planning to bring a new subcompact SUV that will be the brand’s new entry-level offering in India. While the company has the Renegade on sale globally, the automaker ruled it out for India and a new sub-4-metre offering has been in development based on a modified version of the Renegade’s platform. With a global debut expected later this year, the model has been spied testing in a heavily camouflaged guise but promises to retain the brand’s DNA with its boxy proportions. The camouflaged test mule was spied in Brazil and the model will be targeted at emerging markets including India. There is now news it can be called the Jeepster.
The grainy image shows some great detail on the new Jeep subcompact SUV. The model appears to get a wide grille, raised bonnet, and black alloy wheels. The headlamps appear to get a split design with the LED DRLs turning into indicators as well. Jeep has already confirmed that the upcoming offering will come with an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) set-up and will also get an “off-road capable version,” possibly a Trailhawk badged version of its own. There are also rumours of the Jeep subcompact SUV getting an electrified version of its own. Moreover, the petrol and diesel iterations could get electrified AWD with an electric motor mounted on the rear axle.
There’s no word on the powertrain yet but the model could use Citroen’s (part of the Stellantis Group) 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will power the upcoming C3 crossover. The engine will reportedly belt out about 132PS, which should make the model the most powerful offering in its class. Electrification is a part of Jeep’s larger future product plan and that will include electrifying its current and future range.
At present, Jeep is working hard to push the made-in-India Meridian to customers. The Compass-based SUV has been launched with attractive prices and is expected to snatch some buyers from the Toyota Fortuner. Meanwhile, the upcoming subcompact SUV is still a while away from launch. It’s expected to debut globally by the end of the year and could arrive in the market sometime in 2023, possibly during the festive season.
