2022 Jeep Meridian production starts at Jeep India’s Ranjangaon plant, the SUV has 82 percent localisation
Jeep India has commenced production of its made-in-India Meridian SUV at its Ranjangaon plant in the outskirts of Pune with launch expected to happen at the end of this month and deliveries from the start of June. Bookings are already underway for the SUV for a token amount of Rs. 50,000/-.
Though the upcoming Meridian shares its underpinnings with the regular Compass, Jeep has managed to add the third row seats thereby making it a proper 7-seater SUV. Unlike many other 7-seater cars derived from their 5-seater versions, the Meridian has witnessed heavy rework to accommodate the third row.
For example, SUV is now wider by 41 mm and taller by 48 mm from the Compass it’s based on. The wheelbase is also wider by 146 mm.
Coming to the interiors, the dashboard looks quite similar to the Compass but with a new brown finish against the Compass’ traditional black theme. Also the seats get perforated leather with a quilted pattern.
Most of the features of the Compass are expected to be carried forward in the Meridian including the 10.25-inch cluster, 10.1-inch center console display that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, powered front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 6 airbags, traction control, ESC, hill-start and descent control, 360-degree parking camera, and selectable drive modes.
The Meridian will be powered by the lone 2-litre Multijet diesel engine that exerts 170 HP and 350 Nm. It will be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 9-speed auto-box. Later, Jeep might also offer a 1.3-litre turbo petrol motor. A more comfortable 6 seater variant (like the Maruti Suzuki XL6) will also be offered after a few months post launch.
With over 82 percent localisation, the upcoming Jeep Meridian would command a price tag of Rs 35 to 38 lakhs (ex-showroom) upon launch.
