The patented image confirms earlier speculations of Jeep considering the launch of the Renegade in India and is likely to introduce the model sometime in 2017.
Waiting patiently to make its official entry into the country, Fiat has been shying away to bring the Jeep brand in India for quite some time. With a delay of almost two years now, Fiat is expected to introduce the American brand in the market by the end of this year with the iconic Wrangler and Cherokee models that will be brought in via the CBU route. However, the big news is that Jeep has now patented the new Renegade compact SUV in India, confirming the earlier speculations of launching its smallest offering globally in the country by 2017.
The Jeep Renegade is the company’s most affordable model globally and was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show last year. The SUV retains the key attributes that the manufacturer is known for, starting with the trademark grille flanked by the round headlights, and looks butch in every sense with minimum curves as part of the overall design language. The boxy profile coupled with a utilitarian appeal certainly adds to the Renegade’s quirky looks which will be appreciated by the fans of the brand. Furthermore, Jeep is likely to offer 4WD right from the start keeping up with the brand’s reputation, while the cabin will come loaded with a host of features and an appreciable styling.
Measuring 4.25-metres in length, the Jeep Renegade will boast of a healthy road presence and will be competing against the Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-Cross, Mahindra Scorpio and the likes in the segment. Prices though are expected to be a tad bit optimistic given the American brand’s premium positioning, and could start from Rs. 10 lakhs going up to Rs. 18 lakhs for the top-end variant. While engine options remain a mystery for the Indian market, Fiat could introduce the 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel on the Renegade with appreciable amount of power. More recently, the Italian parent company went through a joint venture with Tata Motors to produce SUVs at its Ranjangaon facility, near Pune and the Renegade could be one of the models produced at the plant.
