The refreshed Jeep Compass SUV will go on sale in the UK on April 15 with prices ranging from £16,995 ($27,783) for the base model to £23,995 ($39,227). Available in 2WD versions as well as 4WD, the Compass is offered with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty.
The 2011 model comes with a range of modifications, from the facelifted exterior styling to the completely revised cabin and the new line-up of engines. The Compass will be available in Britain in four trim levels, with the 4×4 Limited and the 70th Anniversary to go on sale straight from launch. The entry-level Sport and Sport+ versions will join the range in August.
Buyers will be able to choose between three different engines, two petrol and a single diesel. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol delivers 158 horsepower and 141 lb.-ft. (191 Nm) of torque, and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, while the larger 2.4-liter engine has an output of 172 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque (223.7 Nm) and is linked to a continuously variable transmission (CVT2).
The 2.2-liter diesel engine is offered with two levels of power: 134 and 161 horsepower. The unit is co-developed with Mercedes-Benz especially for the Compass and features the latest common rail technology. The more powerful version has a peak torque of 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) available from as low as 1,400 rpm. Both diesel engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission, with Jeep expecting these units to count for 65 percent of Compass sales in the UK.
The Compass comes with a standard equipment that includes automatic climate control (except the Sport trim), electric windows, electrically operated and heated folding exterior mirrors, remote central locking, CD-player with MP3 compatibility and trip computer.
The Freedom Drive I 4×4 system is offered with the 2.4-liter petrol engine or with the high output diesel unit. The full-time active 4WD system features a locking mode for low traction conditions, with power being sent to the front wheels during normal driving. The system also automatically shifts power from the front to the rear axle as needed.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
