Jeep India may not be doing particularly well in the market right now, but that does not stop the brand from updating its product to the new set of emission norms. The upcoming BS6 emission norms have made every major automotive manufacturer in the country busy with either a thorough product-update or new launches.
The Jeep Compass BS6 was spotted doing rounds on public roads by automotive enthusiast Adish. The test mules looked identical to the current BS4 models and wore no forms of camouflage or code. The BS6 Jeep Compass examples spotted, had red plates. Almost all the variants were present except the top-of-the-line Jeep Compass Trailhawk. The Trailhawk had a BS6-compliant diesel engine right from the day of its launch.
The test mules you see here were grouped together before setting off to different directions, roads and weather conditions across the span of India. The Jeep Compass is the FCA-owned American brand’s best-seller in the Indian market and is one of the popular urban-SUV choices across the world.
As expected, BS6 upgrades can change the characteristics of an existing power plant due to the sophistication required to check the combustion by-products to the permissible limits. In its BS4 avatar, the Jeep Compass comes in two engine formats: 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel and 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo petrol.
The 2 liter diesel engine makes 170bhp and 350Nm of torque, and is the same block found in the Tata Harrier and MG Hector. This is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. The range-topping Trailhawk variant employs the same diesel unit, but comes only with a 9-speed DCT.
The 1.4 liter petrol engine is good for 160bhp and 250Nm. It is coupled to either a 6-speed manual (in the entry-level Sport trim) or a 7-speed DCT (in the other trims). AWD powertrain is available only with the diesel power plant while the petrol units employ a conventional FWD layout.
Prices for the Jeep Compass currently start at around Rs 16 lakh and can go all the up to Rs 28 lakh ex-showroom (i.e. above Rs 30 lakh on-road). Pricing is definitely one of the limiting factors for the Jeep Compass since there are quite a few cheaper alternatives to it on the market right now.
However, the Jeep Compass is leagues ahead in terms of fit and finish and overall driving experience. It is an ideal choice for urban choice while also being unhesitant to get dirty off-road. The rather protruding front overhang and the poor approach-angle my act as a hindrance to going for some proper off-road adventures. The Jeep Compass Trailhawk can make up for it to a good extent with its raised body and rugged front bumper, but comes at a hefty price tag as mentioned before.
