Jeep Compact SUV Platform & Powertrain To Be Borrowed From Citroen

Jeep India Compact SUV Platform — Heavy localisation is key to pricing products aggressively in India

Jeep India is likely to reach out to Citroen to make use of the brand’s platform for its upcoming compact SUV.

In January, Jeep revealed that it is developing its very own compact SUV for India and that it is part of the firm’s roadmap that includes launching a 3-row midsize SUV, locally assembling the Wrangler and Cherokee models before 2022 end (for the latter 3).

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) also decided to increase its investment in India to the tune of $250 million (Rs. 1822 crores) for the same.

Also in January, both FCA and Groupe PSA merged to become Stellantis, the fourth largest automotive group in the world, leading to this new development of Jeep Compact SUV platform being that of Citroen’s.

It is said Jeep had planned to launch a shortened derivative of the Renegade as its Indian compact SUV at first. However, this involved serious re-engineering and due to the need for heavy localisation, more investment had to be put into the project.

Thankfully, Citroen is already conducting road tests of its made-in-India compact SUV (due to be launched either late this year or early 2022) and the platform the model is based on (PSA’s Common Modular Platform) could well be used by Jeep as joint-sourcing of components and technology will reduce expenditure.

But, if Jeep does decide to base its very own compact SUV on the PSA platform, it would have to forego 4-wheel-drive, for the architecture does not support it.

Another thing Jeep will be borrowing from Citroen would be the engine. All of the options Jeep had, including making use of the Europe-spec Renegade’s 1.0-litre turbo petrol, was just too expensive to make a good business case.

Thus, the Jeep compact SUV will be powered by the 1.2-litre turbo petrol motor made by Citroen and it is likely that there will be no diesel variant on offer.

When launched, the car will go against the Maruti Vitara Brezza (which will be in its second generation), Hyundai Venue, Nissan Magnite and the likes.