Jeep Compass Photos

[SoCalCTS]

CNN Story
Jeep unveils two compact SUVs
Though they are officially "concept" vehicles, the Patriot and Compass could see production soon.
September 12, 2005: 12:54 PM EDT



NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Jeep unveiled two concept vehicles at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany today that, a company executive said, hint at a worldwide portfolio expansion for the off-road brand.

While both vehicles are relatively compact, with roughly 104-inch wheelbases, they offer distinct personalities. The Jeep Patriot has the tough, off-road appearance for which Jeep is known. The Jeep Compass concept has a softer, more wagon-like look.

The company boasts of the high fuel-efficiency of both vehicles, although, since they are in concept form, no fuel mileage figures are available yet.

"We've always planned on gasoline being over $65 a barrel," joked Jeff Bell, DaimlerChrysler's vice president in charge of Jeep and Chrysler, in a telephone interview prior to the unveiling.

Although the concepts are similar in size, the Patriot has more traditional off-road styling cues with sharp angles and straight edges as well as a higher ride height for greater ground clearance.

"Simple, geometric forms and planar surfaces define Jeep Patriot's timeless, purpose-built design," said Trevor Creed, lead designer for DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group, of which Jeep is a part.

"Patriot's face features Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, a robust bumper, round headlamps, raised, free-standing fog lamps and a visible skid plate. All of this gives Jeep Patriot its robust, strong, capable off-road image," Creed said.

The Patriot is reminiscent of the old Jeep Cherokee.

The Compass concept was inspired by the Jeepster, a vehicle the company produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The low-slung Jeepster was also intended primarily for on-road or mild off-road use.

The company expects to begin selling vehicles based on these concepts next year, said Jeff Bell, vice-president in charge of marketing for Chrysler Group.

The vehicles fall roughly on either side of the current Jeep Liberty in terms of off-road readiness. The Patriot is aimed at more masculine buyers interested in genuine rock-crawling prowess while the Compass is intended for those who might drive occasionally in snow or on a well-groomed beach.

Jeep, now a division of DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group, has been looking at the brand's own past as it begins to move beyond a current stable of just three vehicles, said Bell. Right now, Jeep dealers sell the Wrangler, the small Liberty SUV,and mid-sized Grand Cherokee SUV.

The Jeep Commander, a large three-row SUV, is just entering dealerships now. Reminiscent of the large Grand Wagoneer that ended production with the 1991 model year, the Commander will be entering the market just as a long run of popularity for three-row SUVs appears to be ending in the face of rising gas prices.

Many SUV shoppers have, for some time now, been looking at smaller SUVS or crossovers -- SUVs intended for on-road use. They get better fuel mileage than larger SUVs and aren't us ungainly to drive in traffic and on the highway.

The Liberty and these two concepts fall into that category. Two new small SUVs can be expected from Jeep next year, Bell said.

Jeep will be expanding its line-up even more in the relatively near future, Bell said. Something we might see is a Jeep pick-up modeled on the Gladiator concept from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show.

[BrewSwillis]

I don't know what it is......but I think this thing is sweet!
B)

[Derek77]

SUV? The Compass looks more like a wagon than an SUV. I guess anything can be considered a Sport Utility Vehicle though. Maybe a new name is in the future, Sport Utility Wagon.

[El Scorcho]

I don't think the Compass is ugly, it just has way too much Dodge in it, especially the rear. The Patriot looks nicer than any other current Jeep, IMO.

[thedriver]

i really like how this thing looks, but i dont know if a soft roader is jeep material. and is it me, or does it look like it have been photoshopped into every landscape? Edited September 13, 2005 by thedriver

[BrewSwillis]

i really like how this thing looks, but i dont know if a soft roader is jeep material.

and is it me, or does it look like it have been photoshopped into every landscape?

[post="13657"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Could be photoshopped, but here are some display pics: http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/200...ss/pages/01.htm

[99camaroSS]

that thing is really cool but....... IT ISNT A JEEP DAMMIT! that should be a freaking rav4 or vibe or some crap not a JEEP! jeeps should be boxy with minimal syling and trail rated end of story

[Cremazie]

It is definitely a soft roader, a cute ute.. Not Jeep material, it should be in the Dodge stable!

[NOS2006]

I don't know what it is......but I think this thing is sweet!
B)

[post="13061"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

It's AMAZING!

[turbo200]

check out the patriot, it's much cooler in my book

[sciguy_0504]

It looks like it's trying too hard. Take off the body kit and ugly rims and we'll see how it looks then.

[4gm]

WTF? It's all riced out. Worst. Jeep. Ever.

[El Scorcho]

It looks like it's trying too hard.  Take off the body kit and ugly rims and we'll see how it looks then.

[post="14394"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Co-sign.

(I agree, for the uninitiated.)

[HarleyEarl]

The Compass is a concept...remains to be seen if the production model has this same look.

[Dsuupr]

So Daimler is hellbent on ruining the Jeep name? I guess they figure since Hummer is taking over the true off-roading why even try.

[BrewSwillis]

So Daimler is hellbent on ruining the Jeep name?  I guess they figure since Hummer is taking over the true off-roading why even try.

[post="14608"][/post]

:lol: :rolleyes:


Here's an H2 stuck on a stump in the PARKING LOT of Camp Jeep.

http://web1.servforce.com/~cj8/

[Cremazie]

:lol:  :rolleyes:


Here's an H2 stuck on a stump in the PARKING LOT of Camp Jeep.

http://web1.servforce.com/~cj8/

[post="14616"][/post]

Yeah, I guess Daimler doesn't care, but sales matter and that thing will sell like hotcakes!

[HarleyEarl]

Jeep is being radically changed. The Jeep name has such iconic recognition, it's really a cool label. I think they will be very successful with this strategy. Hummer is also flirting with softer mainstream products as well, such as the H3. Edited September 15, 2005 by HarleyEarl

[13092]

If you take off the ugly body kit and those wheels you end up with a Jeep Liberty!

[Diognes56]

Needs lowered, but otherwise I like it :) . I wonder if they will have a SRT version :) . David

[Guest YellowJacket894]

The Patriot is the lesser of two evils. (Wonder if it's rear-drive, instead of front-drive like the Compass.)

[tmp]

Just my opinion, but I think it looks loke a cross between an X-3 and Bender from Futurama