Q.Fiat expected to launch Jeep brand at Auto Expo 2016

There won't be many buyers for Jeep brand vehicles considering the price they are quoting. They have to come up with a 8-12 lakh range vehicle if they are really serious in penetrating the Indian market.

The Jeep Renegade has been tested again. Spotted by Rushlane reader Nithin Ben near Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, the Renegade was spotted testing alongside a Skoda Yeti, probably for benchmarking purposes. The Renegade's dimensions is quite similar to the Yeti's if you look closely. [IMG]http://indianautosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Jeep-Renegade-spotted-testing-alongside-Skoda-Yeti-1024x684.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://indianautosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Jeep-Renegade-front-spotted-testing-alongside-Skoda-Yeti-1024x683.jpg[/IMG]

Italian automaker Fiat had announced way back in 2012 its intention of bringing the iconic Jeep brand to India. The Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee were meant to make it to our shores in 2013. However, a slump in auto sales in the global market coupled dithered Fiat’s plans of launching the two SUVs in India. [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/14q2/599004/2014-jeep-wrangler-willys-photo-608860-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] If latest reports are to be believed, Fiat is mulling an Auto Expo 2016 launch for the Wrangler and Cherokee. The Jeep Renegade is also likely to be previewed at the expo and we expect it to be launched at the 2017 edition of the expo. [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-photo-530510-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [U][B]Jeep Wrangler[/B][/U] The Wrangler SUV was launched in the 1980s as a replacement for the ageing CJ series of Jeep. Like the CJ, the Wrangler too is built to take on the rough.The Wrangler shares a lot of visual cues from the older Willy’s Jeep and is available in two variants. When launched, the Wrangler will take on the new Ford Endeavour, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota’s Fortuner. [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/14q2/599004/2014-jeep-wrangler-willys-photo-601739-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/14q2/599004/2014-jeep-wrangler-willys-photo-601741-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] The Wrangler will be powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol motor which churns out 285bhp and a peak torque of 352Nm mated to a 6-speed manual. The Wrangler will also come with Jeep’s very own Command-Trac four-wheel drive system. This splits torque in a 50:50 ratio between the front and rear axles when driven in either 4H or 4 L. It will also get brake lock differential which should help the Wrangler to clamber through rocks or slippery surfaces easily. [CENTER][IMG]http://overdrive.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Jeep-Wrangler-4.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] The Wrangler will come with features like a compass, an external temperature gauge display, cruise control, remote keyless power door locks and Bluetooth telephony. On the safety front, the Wrangler will get ABS, stability control and engine immobiliser. [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/14q2/599004/2014-jeep-wrangler-willys-interior-photo-601751-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/14q2/599004/2014-jeep-wrangler-willys-photo-601743-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] The Wrangler will be brought in via the CBU route from North America initially and Fiat says it would assemble the SUV in India if it gets a positive response from the market. Reports suggest the Jeep Wrangler will be sold in ten Fiat dealerships in the country. We expect the Wrangler to priced in the range of Rs 20-25 lakh. A thorough list of off-road accessories will also be introduced at the time of launch. So customising a Wrangler to your needs won’t that difficult a task. [U][B]Jeep Grand Cherokee [/B][/U] The Grand Cherokee is the big daddy of all Jeeps. Its as long as a Mercedes GL-class or Audi’s Q7 and almost two metres wide. The front end features Jeeps iconic seven slat grille but has modern touches like a slim headlamp unit with projector units. Chrome is used generously all over the car and this should appeal to the politico and filmy types. Its an out-and-out American SUV for sure. [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-photo-530512-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-photo-530518-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-photo-530521-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] The Grand Cherokee gets a 3.0-litre V6 diesel designed by VM Motori, Italy which is partly owned by Fiat. This engine puts out 237bhp and 580Nm of torque mated to an 8-speed ZF auto box with paddle shifter. [CENTER][IMG]http://overdrive.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Grand-Cherokee-9.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Step inside and the Grand Cherokee feels every bit as premium as its competition. Leather, wood and soft-touch plastics crave for attention and everything look clean and well put together. An 8.4 inch touchscreen dominates the centre console and controls features like the dual zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, audio system and a variety of safety features. The digital multi-information display gives you information on suspension settings, steering angle, power distribution and wheel articulation. [CENTER][IMG]http://www.jeep.com/assets/images/vehicles/2015/grand-cherokee/gallery/large/1-2014-grand-cherokee-interior.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.jeep.com/assets/images/vehicles/2015/grand-cherokee/gallery/large/2-2014-grand-cherokee-front-interior.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] The steering wheel, finished in leather and wood, has a total of 22 buttons to access the digital displays and audio and cruise control. Off-road modes are accessed through a rotary selector like on a Range Rover. The Grand Cherokee gets a low ratio mode when the going gets tough and there is even hill-descent control. Barring the Rangie, the Jeep Cherokee should be the most capable off-roader in the segment, at least on paper. The Jeep Grand Cherokee should be priced in the range of Rs 35-50 lakh range. [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-drive-mode-controls-photo-530539-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-photo-530523-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [CENTER][IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-headlight-photo-530524-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-interior-photo-530533-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-intsrument-cluster-photo-530536-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q3/527869/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-instrument-cluster-photo-530538-s-986x603.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [U][B]Jeep Renegade[/B][/U] The Renegade is Jeep’s first shot at the burgeoning crossover segment. The Renegade, built in partnership with Fiat (think Fiat 500X), will be built in Italy. Front-wheel drive is standard but you also get a proper two all-wheel drive options. The hardcore version gets features like hill descent control, crawler ratio and increased ground clearance. But this may not make it to India. [CENTER][IMG]http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-Jeep-Renegade-Trailhawk-4x4-and-Latitude-4x4-101-876x535.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [CENTER][IMG]http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-Jeep-Renegade-Trailhawk-4x4-and-Latitude-4x4-102-876x535.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [CENTER][IMG]http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-Jeep-Renegade-Latitude-4x4-106-876x535.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] The Renegade will employ engines from Fiat. We expect the 1.6-litre Multijet diesel mill to make it to our shores initially followed by a 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine. It will come with either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed auto. [CENTER][IMG]http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-Jeep-Renegade-Latitude-4x4-118-876x535.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [CENTER][IMG]http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-Jeep-Renegade-Latitude-4x4-121-876x535.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [CENTER] [IMG]http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-Jeep-Renegade-Trailhawk-4x4-121-876x535.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] The Renegade’s styling may not be to everyone’s liking but it is butch. The upright stance, the seven-slat grille and protruded wheel arches all scream JEEP. Step inside and the design reminds you of the Wrangler. It is well made and feels built to last. Jeep calls this design the Tek-Tonic, whatever that is, but it looks pleasant nonetheless. A touchscreen comes standard across variants. It also gets two removable roof panels for what Jeep calls the My Sky. The panels are not powered units and have to be removed by hand. The Jeep Renegade, if and when it comes, will probably be Jeep’s best selling model in India. It could be priced in the range of RS 15-20 lakhs. With more off-road events coming up in the country, Jeep couldn’t have found a better time to launch their products in India. We hope Fiat gets their act together and promotes the Jeep brand right.