ON THE ROAD – IAN LYNAS PREVIEWS THE NEW JEEP COMPASS

Jeep is one of the iconic brands in motoring, it has been around for some eighty years with the first model a small rugged go anywhere vehicle launched in 1941 for the US Army. It became a star of many films and it could claim to be the first SUV. Prior to the arrival of the Jeep, the name had been used by the military as a slang word to describe new recruits or vehicles. The world of motoring owes a great deal to the original Jeep many believe it inspired such vehicles as the Series One Land Rover.

The original may be long gone from production but many remain and it gave birth to a brand which has produced an array of vehicles down the years and now to the very latest, the new Compass. In the best traditions of the brand, the newcomer has been designed for adventure in every direction and most importantly, it stays true to the Jeep DNA by offering legendary capabilities, robustness, cutting-edge technology and unparalleled versatility. The new Compass made its debut in Italy and is manufactured in the Melfi plant and to offer maximum choice it comes with an array of powertrains, which includes three options: e-Hybrid, e-Hybrid plug-in and a four-wheel drive electric version with a range of up to 648km (403m). Thankfully it has been crafted to deliver much improved performance and the iconic style, stays true to the brand’s storied legacy with features such as the seven slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches and rugged cladding. With the great outdoors in mind yet it is perfectly suited for daily use, and its legendary capabilities are extended right across the range.

Built on the Stellantis STLA medium platform, the new Compass is space-efficient at 4.55m long, yet delivers 55mm of additional legroom and it offers more space with an increased boot capacity of 45 litres, taking it to 550 litres, and 34 litres more capacity in the front interior storage compartment. This increase in space will certainly add to the appeal of the new Compass. Standard across the line-up, the new infotainment system offers a 11 -inch instrument cluster and a 16inch infotainment screen, while connected services ensure that the vehicle will always be up-to-date, receiving over-the-air updates throughout its life. The First Edition will feature a choice of e-Hybrid or fully-electric powertrain and is equipped with 20 inch wheels, LED matrix lights, 16 inch navigation system, Level 2 autonomous drive, 360-degree all-round protection and hands-free power tailgate. For many the purchase of a new vehicle, one decision can be colour and with the new Compass a choice of six colours, which have been linked to specific natural landscapes, each colour aims to evoke the emotions and particular images associated with each geographical region. The launch colour will be the striking Hawaii a bright brilliant green, reminiscent of the lush landscapes and tropical vegetation of the Hawaiian Islands. The colour range varies from the Pacific (blue), representing the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Antarctica (white) symbolises the ice and snow of the Earth’s southernmost continent, while Amazonia (green with brown hues) evokes the Amazon rainforest. Yosemite (grey) is emblematic of the towering cliffs and rock formations of the national park from which it derives its name, and Volcano (black) pays homage to the isle of Volcano in Sicily.

Finally to the heart of the matter, handling performance, even front-wheel-drive versions are also capable off-road; with a ground clearance of up to 200mm, approach angle of 20 degrees, break over angle of 15 degrees and departure angle of 26 degrees, and the newcomer is equipped to handle tough terrains with ease. The water fording depth of up to 470mm highlights its ability to tackle the most challenging environments and Selec-terrain will feature as standard across all versions. When can we expect to see the new Compass on the road; the last quarter of this year.

Ian Lynas