The 2012 Jeep Compass will go on sale in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2011.
The heavily revised compact SUV draws styling inspiration from the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, while sharing its basic underpinnings with the Jeep Patriot.
Chrysler Australia has confirmed the Compass will be sold alongside the Patriot in Australia when it launches later this year.
The Jeep Compass was initially launched in Australia early in 2007 but was discontinued in 2009 on the back of slow sales.
Chrysler Australia’s Dean Bonthorne said the new model promised to be a much more attractive proposition for new car buyers in Australia, with considerably more sophisticated front-end styling and a cleaner rear layout.
“This is the compact Jeep we’ve been waiting for,” Mr Bonthorne said.
“The stunning Grand Cherokee has won hearts throughout the world, so extending that design appeal to Australia’s compact SUV buyer is sure to make this new Compass a hit.”
Australian specifications of the new 2012 Jeep Compass will be revealed closer to the vehicle’s local launch, although overseas markets give us an indication of what to expect when it arrives.
In the UK, the Compass is available with two engines: a 115kW 2.0-litre petrol and a 100kW/320Nm 2.2-litre diesel.
The petrol model accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.6 seconds and uses fuel at a rate of 7.6 litres/100km on the combined cycle. The diesel is nine-tenths slower in the sprint, but boasts a tidy consumption figure of 6.1 litres/100km.
The 125kW/220Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine from the Patriot is also available in the US, and could find its way into Australia’s Compass. Global transmission options include five- and six-speed manuals and a continuously variable transmission.
At 4448mm long, 1812mm wide and 1663mm tall, the Compass is 40mm longer, 27mm wider and 4mm lower than the Patriot, which sports Jeep’s more traditional boxy four-wheel drive design.
Standard safety features on the new Compass include electronic stability control, six airbags, Hill-Start Assist and electronic roll mitigation.
Stay tuned for more details of the new 2012 Jeep Compass as its Australian launch approaches.
