Jeep re-evaluates Compass for Aussie market

Patriot twin loses soft styling in major facelift, possibly paving the way for reintroduction Down Under
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Chrysler has just revealed a major facelift for the Jeep Compass -- the compact SUV Jeep couldn't give away in Australia.

As we reported previously, sales of the Compass dried up overnight when the Patriot model was launched here. The two vehicles were mechanically identical, but the stronger, bolder styling of the Patriot appealed to a broader cross-section of the community.

Now however, with the facelift Compass unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chrysler Australia is re-thinking the situation.

"At this stage we haven't got confirmation of its availability for Australia," said Dean Bonthorne, Senior Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications for Chrysler Australia, "so it's being launched in the States first -- and it's not until the second half of this year that there would be an opportunity for us to bring it in. In the meantime we're going to evaluate the opportunity..."

Bonthorne agreed with the proposition that the new Compass has adopted some of the styling hallmarks of the Grand Cherokee flagship and looks like a scaled-down version of the luxurious SUV.

"More than a little bit like one, indeed," he responded with a laugh. "That's why we'd definitely evaluate it for potential inclusion into the Australian marketplace. For the customer interested in the traditional Jeep styling, the Patriot fits the bill nicely, but for the more modern, urban style that we see in the all-new Grand Cherokee, then the Compass styling would appeal to that customer also."

Assuming the Compass will be offered to the Australian market for a local launch sometime in the second half of this year, Bonthorne believes Chrysler Australia would "have an announcement prepared by mid-year."

Other than the self-evident styling changes, the 2011 Compass boasts enhanced steering and suspension, reduced fuel consumption, plus upgraded interior trim and fittings. Spring and damper rates are firmer and a larger-diameter rear anti-roll bar has been specified.

In North America the Compass will be offered with a choice of 2.0 or 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, but Chrysler Australia would be most likely to settle for the 2.4-litre engine alone.

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