Compass SRT possible, says Jeep

Jeep could introduce a hot SRT version of its new Compass, but it would be powered by a four-cylinder engine and not Chrysler's Pentastar V6.

Launched this week in the US and due on sale in Australia by the end of this year, the all-new small SUV brings unchallenged off-road capability to the segment, as well as more than 70 infotainment and safety technologies, and a choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines in both front- and all-wheel drive configuration.

But missing from the line-up is a more powerful SRT variant. The SRT moniker has proved extremely successful in Jeep’s full-size Grand Cherokee, though it's yet to appear on smaller Renegade, Compass and Cherokee SUV models – and won’t do until customer demand is there.

Speaking to the engineer responsible for the Jeep Compass, Jim Lyijynen, motoring.com.au learned that the 3.2-litre Pentastar V6 offered in the larger Cherokee was considered for the Compass, but it would be passed over in favour of a performance-tuned turbocharged four-cylinder.

“It starts with the ‘brand’ question: whether or not customer demand means it makes sense for the brand to sell it,” explained Lyijynen. “Packaging comes next.”

“The first decision that comes is: will that engine deliver what it needs to deliver. Whether it’s the customer requirements or the regulatory requirements, and then whether it’s something we can physically package into the car. Literally -- does it fit?”

Lyijynen said FCA had considered packaging the V6 into the Compass previously, but its physical size made a turbocharged four-cylinder more viable, should the case for a sportier model be made.

“The V6 does not currently package [into the Compass],” he continued. “We haven’t studied it recently, though we have studied it before. The engines that packaged, the engines that we felt best met the customer’s requirements, are the four-cylinder gas [petrol] and diesel engines.

“There are [however] other ways of achieving more performance. There’s a perception that customers have had for many years about more cylinders equating to better performance, better power, etcetera. But certainly what the industry has continued to prove over and over in recent years is that performance does not necessarily equal the number of cylinders offered.”

When asked whether performance engines from elsewhere in the FCA stable would fit the bill, Lyijynen reiterated that other factors would need to be considered – including fuel and emissions targets.

“We try to find engine and powertrain packages that best match customer requirements for performance, and that balance of fuel economy and emissions,” he continued.

“We [also] try to determine what is the best powertrain configuration for that particular vehicle, and at this point in time the offerings that we currently have, and as we start looking forward with respect to emissions standards, are things that as engineers we need to make sure we take into consideration.

“If we were to look at a six-cylinder, or something like that, we would need to make sure we understand what that would do from an emissions strategy perspective,” he emphasised.

“We’re continuing to try and develop more advanced powertrains – whether it’s a four or six-cylinder – but we’ll also try to leverage some of the newer technologies at our disposal to provide a more efficient means of power, with reduced emissions and increased fuel economy.”

As many as five engine choices will be offered from launch in the Compass globally, and Australia's most potent model will be powered by a 134kW/237Nm 2.4-litre Tigershark four-cylinder petrol engine matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Also expected from launch Down Under is a 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre MultiJetII four-cylinder turbo-diesel. You can read our first drives of both vehicles at motoring.com.au from this Friday.