James Lyijynen, Chief Program Engineer, Jeep Compass, FCA
Global and Bill Zheng, Head of Design, FCA, APAC are upbeat about the new Jeep
Compass that will soon be launched in India. Roy P. Tharyan, Editor, Motown
India caught up with the two in Pune, Maharashtra where they talked at length
about the “No compromise Jeep Compass”. James Lyijynen in particular talked
about how FCA has raised the bar on several counts when it came to the Jeep Compass,
while Bill Zheng talked about the smart design take on the Jeep Compass.
India will be one of the four global manufacturing hubs for
the Jeep Compass. The vehicle will be exported from India to right hand drive
countries like Japan, Australia, England, among others. James Lyijynen
explained how the new Jeep Compass is a versatile SUV. “The Active Drive System
is a 4X4 system that we will use here in India and it is a 4X4 system that
leverages the drive line disconnect technology that allows us to seamlessly and
automatically disconnect the rear axle so that the car can function in the 4X2
front wheel drive mode. This will improve fuel economy and at the same point of
time when the traction is needed in the rear axle the driveline reconnects the
rear differential module at the back and unit at the front and allow all
available torque to go to whatever wheel needs it,” he said.
“The Jeep Compass will have one universal look. There are
some very minor adaptations. For example, for the APAC region, China and India,
there is a specific Ski grade colour palette that is has been designed for this
region. But overall if you look at the geometry of the exterior and the
interior, majority of the finish is of global standard,” said Bill Zheng.
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