TRAILHAWK VERSION NOW AVAILABLE
While everyone is waiting for the new Wrangler, Jeep has quietly introduced the four-wheel-drive Trailhawk version of the new 2019 Compass, that slots in between the smaller Renegade and the Cherokee in the compact SUV segment, in South Africa.
In terms of design the more refinement and stylish new Compass not only shows Cherokee traits, but also borrows design cues from the Grand Cherokee. It wears the same seven-slot grille with chrome surrounds and still display quite angular lines.
The Trailhawk features heated leather-trimmed front seats, an 8.4inch touchscreen for navigation, and infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB ports. It can also be ordered with two-tone black roof and a panoramic sunroof.
It is powered by the proven 2.4-litre Tigershark Multi-air inline-four petrol engine, as also found in the Renegade and Cherokee, that develops 134 kW at 6,400 rpm and 237 Nm of torque at 3,900 rpm. In the Limited and Trailhawk models it is coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission and the bespoke four-wheel-drive system of Jeep.
The Trailhawk also comes with a slightly lifted suspension for ground clearance of 213 mm and the first gear of the nine-speed automatic simulates a low range for a 20:1 crawl ratio. Jeep has also added a Rock Mode for the traction control system, which includes hill-descent control.
The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is now available at Fiat-Chrysler dealers countrywide at a retail price of R599,995. The rest of the Compass range is set for launch early next year.
