The American manufacturer put the 7-seater Jeep Meridian to the ultimate test as it traversed 5000km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari
After spotting the upcoming SUV numerous times, Jeep officially releases the teaser of the upcoming 7-seater. Names it Meridian in India. Jeep will announce the price of the all-new Meridian by the middle of this year.
Overview
The new 7-seater Meridian is already available in the international markets as the Commander. Jeep says that they have tested the car from Kashmir to Kanyakumari along the Meridian 77-degree east longitude. The vehicle that ran through the states in its journey wore a special camouflage as well.
What will India-spec Jeep Meridian offer?
And only a nine-speed automatic transmission
The all-new Jeep Meridian utilises the platform that underpins the five-seater Compass. But Jeep has made various changes to accommodate the longer wheelbase of the car. Since it is a seven-seater SUV, it offers much larger rear doors.
The Meridian looks very similar to the Compass. However, to add a premium touch, Jeep’s designers have also added cues from the flagship new Grand Cherokee.
The cabin layout is similar to Compass but it gets a more premium ambience
The cabin’s layout is very similar to the Jeep Compass with minor changes. Jeep will offer the Meridian a massive 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It will also get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There is a larger 10.25-inch screen that works as the instrument cluster. It will be a premium offering so expect features like ventilated front seats, an electrically-adjustable front row, a wireless phone charger and a panoramic sunroof.
The safety net will include features like ADAS Level-2, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking system and as many as seven airbags.
Jeep Meridian is more powerful than Compass
Even though both the cars share the same diesel engine. The Meridian will be more powerful. The Meridian is likely to only get a diesel engine. It is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit that will produce about 200 PS with the Meridian. The engine is about 30 PS more powerful compared to the unit in Compass.
Only a nine-speed automatic transmission will be available with the SUV. Jeep will also offer 4WD as standard across the range. Jeep may also bring the 48V mild-hybrid version paired to the same engine in India.
The SUV will get the same 2.0-litre diesel engine
The all-new Meridian will take on the likes of Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan in India. However, expect it to enter the territories of the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster. What do you think about the upcoming Jeep Meridian? Do let us know in the comments below.
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