The much awaited Jeep Compass has been finally unveiled for India and certainly, there's much to look forward to in the third quarter of 2017, when the model goes on sale in India. Power on the Compass will be coming from a 1.4 litre Multi Air petrol and 2.0 litre diesel engine. Both are expected to be powerful units, but it is the 2.0 litre oil burner that we expect to be the pick of the lot. In fact, the made-in-India engine might also find application outside the Jeep brand.
As per sources at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), the automaker might source the 2.0 litre engine to other manufacturers as well and the announcement is likely to come soon. The 2.0 litre diesel mill is all-new and will be produced at the company's Ranjangaon facility and is likely to be the mainstay motor for the company in India apart from being exported overseas and will be witnessing a lot of demand.
Details on the manufacturer planning to source the engine are still under wraps, it is likely that the oil burner could power a number of cars from different brands in the future. Fiat has already found success with the 1.3 litre MultiJet engine that is used on a range of cars in the country. The unit has turned out to be extremely popular for carmakers, and extremely profitable for Fiat India and the 2.0 litre diesel might also turn out to be a popular pick. Fingers crossed!
On the Jeep Compass, The 2.0 litre four-cylinder unit will make over 170 bhp and 350 Nm of torque. However, other manufacturers will calibrate the engine's power output depending on the requirement - fuel efficiency or performance.
Currently, Renault-Nissan, Hyundai, Honda and Maruti Suzuki have their own small-capacity diesel engines for its offerings. Meanwhile, Mahindra and Tata Motors produce the 2.2 litre diesel unit for its respective offerings. It will be interesting to see, which company is looking for a larger capacity diesel unit. Moreover, which model will be powered by the new oil burner.
Fiat's highly popular 1.3 MultiJet diesel is certainly one of the most likeable units available. Carmakers including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and General Motors source the diesel motor and it has been used to power a number of cars including the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Swift DZire, Ignis, Ciaz, S-Cross and Vitara Brezza. Tata uses the mill on the Bolt and Zest, while GM uses it on the Sail hatchback and sedan. A 1.0 litre derivative of the motor is also found on the Chevrolet Beat diesel.
Could Fiat replicate the 1.3 MultiJet's success with the new 2.0 litre motor? That's an answer that only time will tell. Till then, we will first sample this engine on the Jeep Compass in the following months and that should give us a fair idea if FCA has a winner up its sleeves.
