Jeep Compass Trailhawk Spied Testing Again

Features the red and black dual tone exterior shade besides the updated 17-inch alloy wheels

• India-spec Trailhawk likely to get 9-speed automatic with 2.0-litre diesel engine.

• Low range gearbox and rock crawl mode exclusive for improved off-road ability.

• Expected to shares features with the top-spec Compass Limited Plus.

• Should have 225mm ground clearance instead of the 178mm of the regular Compass, like the global model.

• Launch in July 2019; likely to command a Rs 2 lakh premium over Limited Plus variant.

Jeep seems ready to launch the most extreme Compass Trailhawk in India. The off-road-specific variant has recently been spied testing in Pune, bearing camouflage on the bonnet, front fender, rear bumper and the top half of the boot lid. While the test car was finished in a red and black dual tone shade, it was strategically hiding the points that differentiate the regular variants from the Trailhawk.

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk gets redesigned bumpers for improved approach and departure angles along with the signature Ruby Red tow hooks. ‘Trail Rated’ badges find place on the right side of the tail gate and high up on the front fenders. It also gets a matte black strip bang in the middle of the bonnet that prevents the sun’s reflection from blinding the driver while climbing steep gradients. The Jeep Compass Trailhawk in India is also expected to offer an improved 225mm of ground clearance, better than the standard India-spec Compass’ 178mm figure.

The real reason why the Trailhawk trim could appeal to an additional set of buyers is because it finally brings forth the long missing automatic diesel combination for the Jeep Compass. While the engine remains the same 2.0-litre Multijet diesel that belts out 173PS/350Nm, it will be coupled to a 9-speed automatic torque converter transmission from ZF.

Interestingly, this is the same unit that does duty in the Honda CR-V’s diesel variant. To improve its off-road cred, Jeep will arm the Compass Trailhawk with a more advanced 4x4 drivetrain called Active Drive Low, and an additional Rock Crawl mode in the terrain select system which currently consists of four modes: Snow, Sand, Mud and Auto. There’s likely to be a Sport mode too. Until now, you could only buy an automatic Jeep Compass in form of the 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged petrol which is paired with a 7-speed DCT but without the 4X4 capability.

The interiors see ‘Trailhawk’ insignia find place on the seat backs along with red accents on the otherwise all-black dashboard. In the features department, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk will get the same goodies as the Limited Plus variant, which receives a panoramic sunroof, 8-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and eight-way electrically adjustable driver seat with memory function. Additionally, the Trailhawk is expected to get front parking sensors but might still miss out on cruise control.

Jeep will launch the Trailhawk in July 2019 and is likely to price it at a premium of Rs 2 lakh over the Limited Plus (Rs 23.11 lakh) variant. So expect prices to sit around the Rs 25 lakh mark, where it will take on the Hyundai Tucson AWD which retails at Rs 26.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Besides the Trailhawk, Jeep could also offer the standard diesel model with the automatic four-wheel-drive option (9AT and 4x4) just like it does in Australia. This variant will be suitable for people who don’t want to spend more for the Trailhawk’s off-road goodies but are looking for the convenience of an automatic gearbox paired with a comparatively frugal diesel.

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