Jeep Compass 2014 News

Jeep reveals more details and powertrain offerings of the new Compass at its Los Angeles motor show public debut.

Jeep has finally revealed its compact SUV replacement, unveiling the all-new Compass at its new assembly plant in Brazil.

New Blackhawk range adds street cred to Jeep SUV lineup.Jeep has announced new Blackhawk special editions of all existing models aside from the new Cherokee mid-size SUV.Following Jeep's recent local success - ranking among the top ten brands for the first time in September - plus a 40.5 per cent volume gain year-to-date, the new Patriot, Compass, Wrangler and Grand Cherokee Blackhawk models add variety to the SUV brand's lineup with a distinctly sinister attitude.In a clear nod to the current aftermarket trend of 'murdered out' black SUVs, Blackhawk models feature black detailing inside and out to replace most chromework, plus black wheels and Wrangler and Grand Cherokee Blackhawks feature bespoke seat trim.Jeep Patriot BlackhawkThe 2.0-litre petrol engined Patriot Blackhawk is based on the entry-spec Patriot Sport model with CVT auto.Jeep is offering the Patriot Blackhawk for $27,500 drive-away, which is actually $200 cheaper than the Patriot Sport’s $27,700 list price before on-road costs.In the Blackhawk, the Jeep signature seven-slot grille, roof rails, 17 inch alloys and badging have a gloss black finish. The rear bumper with step pad share the same body colour as the rest of the vehicle.Inside are heated seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, voice-controlled audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel.Jeep Compass BlackhawkThe Compass Blackhawk is also based from the entry Sport variant with CVT auto and is being offered at $29,000 drive-away, which is equals the price of the regular Sport CVT without on-road costs.It has the same 2.0-litre petrol engine and CVT automatic transmission as its Sport sibling.The same gloss black external and internal trim changes from the Patriot are also applied to the Compass Blackhawk.Jeep Wrangler BlackhawkThe Wrangler Blackhawk - based on the mid-spec Wrangler Overland - is available in either two or four-door bodystyles at a $2000 premium over their respective 'plain' variants.In the engine bay is the 3.6-litre Pentaster V6 petrol engine and five-speed automatic transmission of the Overland with the same Trail Rated dual-range four-wheel drive system.As with the Compass and Patriot, the Wranger gets a gloss black grille and badging. The Blackhawk hood decals are matte black, just to change it up.In addition, it also sports 18-inch black alloy wheels, tinted windows, three-piece hard top roof, rear window wiper and defroster, as well as a fuel filler cap with black/chrome screws and black gloss hard spare tyre cover. The seats are black leather with accent stitching.In the cabin are heated seats, floor and cargo mats and piano black interior accents on the door handles, dash grab-handles and vent surrounds. The Wrangler's audio system comes with voice control and remote USB port.Jeep Grand Cherokee BlackhawkThe Blackhawk edition of the popular Grand Cherokee is based on the entry Laredo trim level with four-wheel drive. It comes with the same engine choices of 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol or 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, with both coupled to the eight-speed automatic transmission.Like the Wrangler, the Blackhawk Grand Cherokees will cost you $2000 more than the regular models. In keeping with the other Blackhawks, the Grand Cherokee Blackhawk has gloss black 20 inch alloys, badges, grille accents, roof moldings, tinted windows, dual chrome exhaust tips, gunmetal headlight bezels and grey satin tail-light details.The front seats are heated and there is an 8.1-inch touchscreen interface coupled to the Uconnect entertainment system.Jeep Blackhawk Edition pricingPatriot Blackhawk - $27,500 (drive-away)Compass Blackhawk - $29,000 (drive-away)Wrangler Blackhawk - 2-door - $45,000 (list)Wrangler Blackhawk - 4-door - $49,000 (list)Grand Cherokee Blackhawk - 3.6-litre petrol - $50,000 (list)Grand Cherokee Blackhawk - 3.0-litre diesel - $55,000 (list)

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne announced overnight that the Jeep Compass and the Chrysler Town & Country – known here as the Grand Voyager -- would be dead in two years.The decision is part of a series of money-saving moves to remove product overlaps and give brand clearer identity, differentiating more between Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, plus the new separated Ram and SRT sub-brands spun off in the US.The Jeep Compass is virtually a Jeep Patriot under its skin, while the Grand Voyager is an up-specced version of the Dodge Grand Caravan sold in overseas markets.The Grand Voyager minivan – a category Chrysler claims to have started -- will eventually be replaced by a smaller crossover-type vehicle, possibly keeping the Town & Country nameplate in the US at least.However in the interim the Dodge version will be the only minivan/peoplemover in the Chrysler line-up around the world.And that could mean a gap for Australia, where Chrysler is also considering dropping the Dodge brand – currently represented here only by the Dodge Journey SUV-styled peoplemover.Chrysler Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says the death of the Compass and Grand Voyager would be a “natural” one. “In talking about the Compass, that would be part of the natural turnover cycle – the product life cycle,” she says.However Fletcher could not confirm whether Australia would be on the map for the dying models’ replacements. “Obviously that section of the market is in a very healthy state, and we’re keen to remain in it,” she says.“Naturally we’ll be looking at whatever products become available and evaluating their suitability to the Australian market. I don’t think we’re going to be without product.“We are really at the moment looking at the Chrysler and Jeep line-ups – we’re just about to launch the Chrysler 300 -- and we’re very positive about our volume expectations in the next 12 months.” 

The new Jeep Compass features a stronger, more masculine look, with cues from the Grand Cherokee. The new model boasts a host of interior refinements, with soft touch points and high quality materials along with improved ride and handling characteristics courtesy of upgraded steering and suspension systems. While the details are yet to be confirmed, it will have more than 30 safety and security features, including standard electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, Hill-start Assist and side-curtain air bags that cover all rows. Expected to arrive later in the year the new Compass will continue to sell alongside its cousin the Patriot with which it shares the same platform and drive trains. Along with the Cherokee, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited and Grand Cherokee, the pair will complete the freshest and most impressive Jeep range to ever be offered in Australia It's the perfect way to wrap up the brand's 70th anniversary.

Unveiled in Detroit, the Compass has been given a new look and new fuel-focused power plant, a 2.0-litre ‘World Engine’ which Jeep says will give it 10.2 L/100km in the city

HOLDENThe focus at the GM-owned stand willbe the concept of the next generation of America's iconic muscle car, the Chevrolet Camaro. The partly Australian-designed sports coupe concept will make its debut here.Holden will be evaluating public response to determine if the Camaro will be a viable option for the local market.The new model has been confirmed for production in North America at the beginning of 2009. It is expected to be identical to the concept model, a modern interpretation of its original 1969 form.Part of the Camaro's engineering and design work is done in Melbourne.Holden is also unveiling a diesel version of its Captiva family all-wheel-drive plus the new Epica mid-size sedan. FORDThe hottest new baby car for Australia is the Fiesta XR4 (pictured on today's cover) which Ford will start selling here mid-year.The European-built car will complement its big brother the Focus XR5 Turbo.The XR4 will be powered by a 2.0-litre Duratec 16 valve engine. Falcon Cobra-style stripes will enhance its racy looks.Also following the Cobra style is a limited-edition run of 200 FPV GTs to commemorate 40 years since the first Falcon V8, the XR GT, was built in 1967.The distinctive black with gold stripes machine will sell for $65,110 from next month. TOYOTAThe company will reveal its latest prestige performance vehicles. The locally designed Toyotas make their world debut in Melbourne.The TRD range features a supercharged 3.5-litre, V6 Aurion sports sedan and the supercharged 4.0-litre, V6 HiLux sports utility.The Aurion will go on sale in the middle of the year and the Hilux will be launched towards the end of the year. AUDI The surprise of the show could be Audi's new S5 and A5 models, which make their world debut at the Geneva show next week.The A5 will be available in both four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, with the 3.2-litre, 195kW V6 petrol topping the range.The S5 has an eight-cylinder 260kW engine, producing 440Nm of torque. It sprints from nought to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.The coupes will be available to order from March, with deliveries starting in June. JEEPThe Chrysler brand will preview three of its new production models in Melbourne.The all-new Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will be the main attraction to the stand, along with the first compact SUV for Jeep, the Compass.The Wrangler has been redesigned, and has a new diesel engine added to the range.The Unlimited is a four-door model, with five seats and extended wheelbase.The new Compass will be available in both petrol and diesel engines when it goes on sale this month and the company believes it will appeal to a younger audience. NISSANNissan will unveil three new models, including the much-talked-about Qashqai, which has been renamed Dualis for the Australian market. The Dualis will be launched in Australia towards the end of this year and will slot into the small segment.Nissan will also display the new Micra, a 1.4-litre small car which will also go on sale towards the end of the year and the revised 350Z. With a new 3.5-litre, V6 engine, the 350Z will go on sale in April. It also features changed interior and exterior designs. HONDAHonda's latest offering in fuel-cell technology, the new FCX concept, is making its Australian debut in Melbourne.The low-riding, sporty sedan runs on hydrogen and has more power, while still offeringa a full-sized cabin. Honda is currently working on a retail version of the prototype for the US and Japan. EDAGThe engineering and design company will exhibit its EDAG SUV, a one-of-kind model based on the Porsche Cayenne. The modified SUV has been lowered and reshaped and the roofline dropped by 70mm.It has a 447kW turbo engine, with large air inlets on the front bumper for the intercoolers. Wedge-shaped side skirts and muscular fenderflares give the EDAG SUV even more character. It sits on 23-inch wheels with ultra-low profile tyres.Inside, four sports seats are separated by a full-length centre console, which features a DVD player and Sony PS2 game console. BMWWe'll see the debut of the new X5 in Australia at the motor show.The revised SUV will go on sale in April with a 3.0-litre diesel and a 4.8-litre, V8 petrol engine. A 3.0-litre petrol will be available from June. Prices will start at $80,000.BMW will also show the 3 Series convertible as well as the the updated 5 Series and 1 Series. MAZDAMazda will feature the Australian preview of its new large SUV, the CX-9. The seven-seater will be the third SUV for Mazda when it goes on sale in Australia in January.It is expected to cost $55,000-$60,000.Mazda will have both a cut model with the roof taken off, as well as a left-hand drive, North American production model on display.