Compass moving? Jeep Rebel?Allpar Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep News | Allpar Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep News

Chrysler’s Five Year Plan shows a new Jeep Compass/Patriot replacement arriving in calendar-year 2016 (along with a refresh of the Jeep Cherokee, after a mere three years — a far cry from Jeep’s traditional long gaps between refreshes, but apparently the new brand standard).

Little is known about this new car; it will be a compact, smaller inside than the Cherokee, larger than the Renegade. Most likely, the American version will use the 2.4 liter engine and perhaps the 2.0 turbo four; worldwide, it will almost certainly use the Fiat 1.4 and diesel engines. Since the Renegade will have a nine-speed automatic as its top transmission, the Compatriot replacement probably will as well.

The Compatriot replacement is probably being developed on the same platform and basic architecture as the Cherokee, but will probably have a different shape, eschewing the Patriot’s XJ influence for the Compass’ Outback influence, to differentiate it and avoid overlap between well equipped Compatriots and base Cherokees. It is likely to have the full panoply of technology options, and will certainly have a Trail Rated option. Given the extra time taken to develop the Compatriot replacement, it should have better off-road capabilities in its top version than Cherokee or Renegade.

As for the move, the latest scuttlebutt has the new Compass being made in Chrysler’s Toluca, Mexico plant, where Fiat 500 and Journey are now. Journey is likely to move up to Windsor or Belvedere, depending on its basis (small minivan or, again, based on 200), and Fiat 500 is moving to Europe, leaving the high-quality, flexible Toluca plant open for something new. This means, though, that now two Jeeps will be imported into the United States.

Chrysler also recently trademarked the name Rebel — on April 16. It could be used with Dodge, but the name would also work for a Compatriot replacement. Most likely, though, Jeep will stick with the name “Compass.” Trademarking the name two years ahead of an actual product violates trademark rules, so the Rebel name is more likely going to be attached to another model, as a trim-level name.

Upcoming Dodge, Ram, and Jeep trucks and SUVs

redriderbob, historically a good source, wrote: “Jeep engineers are working closely with Fiat engineers on this project. We will more likely see a diesel version of the replacement Compass/Patriot here in the US and Canada. They are also making sure this new Jeep is more capable then the ones it replaces.”It appears Chrysler’s going to go with the Compass name instead of Patriot. There are two sets of insider comments, one saying it would “look very much like the current Patriot in shape and size but mixed just slightly with the soft lines of the old Jeep Renegade and Willys2 concepts” and the other saying it looks like an Alfa Romeo Giulietta with a Grand Cherokee/Compass front clip.

The Compass/Patriot successor and an Alfa Romeo CUV are to be closely related and all are built on CUSW, the same platform as the Dodge Dart, as is Liberty. The “Compatriot” would likely be front wheel drive and all wheel drive, lighter in weight and duty cycle than Liberty, and smaller — C class versus D class.

http://www.autopareri.com/forum/rumors-spies/51697-jeep-compact-suv-new-compass-patriot-spy.html