More details have been uncovered recently on the Jeep brand’s upcoming 3-row SUV Jeep Meridian 2022 in India. The US-based auto giant had already unveiled the previous month its plans to grow aggressively within the Indian markets, by introducing two brand-new made-in-India premium SUV models, the Jeep Meridian and the Jeep Grand Cherokee while bringing the Jeep Compass Trailhawk back into the space in a new avatar. In addition, by revealing its first-ever electric model, the Jeep SUV EV 2023, the brand clearly displayed that slowing down was never on its cards.
Although there hasn’t been a release date officially announced by the company, however, the Jeep Meridian launch is expected to be sometime in May 2022. The all-new SUV will be seen competing with Skoda Kodiaq, MG Gloster and Toyota Fortuner amongst others in its segment.
The Jeep Meridian 2022 is said to be a derivative of the brand’s South American Jeep Commander customized for the Indian markets. From the front, the 7-seater SUV sports the company’s signature 7-slot grille and headlights with LED DRLs. Slim tail lamps connected by a chrome bar can be seen from its rear end. The headlamps, front bumper and alloy wheels of the India spec Jeep Meridian have been reported as features unique to it, as compared to the 3-row Commander SUV.
Read also: JEEP MERIDIAN AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LEAD THE BRAND’S 2022 PRODUCT OFFENSIVE IN INDIA
Ralph Gilles, the Chief Design Officer of Stellantis, stated in response to a media query, “Except the windshield, front seat frame and maybe a small part of the instrument panel, everything else on the Meridian is unique (vis-à-vis the Compass). We’ve given a lot of consideration to widen the vehicle, the front doors are custom, and the whole rear architecture is completely unique, as is the entire front end.”
Speaking of the Jeep Meridian 2022 interiors, it is expected to come with a black and brown themed leather upholstery with a range of features from the comfort and safety point of view, such as a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a 9-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple Carplay support, electrically adjustable seats, panoramic sunroof, climate control, 6 airbags, hill start and descent control, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera for parking.
Read also: JEEP SUV EV 2023 COMES TO LIFE: EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE NEW CAR
The all-new Jeep Meridian 2022 SUV will come with a 2.0L multijet diesel engine option at first, similar to Compass. It is expected to come with a 6-speed manual transmission with a front-wheel-drive (FWD) as well as a 9-speed automatic option, which will get an additional FWD layout apart from the all-wheel-drive (AWD) option already available.
The Jeep Meridian price in India is expected to be a little over the range of the current Jeep Compass, priced between Rs 17.79 to 29.34 lakhs ex-showroom. The brand-new SUV will be manufactured at the company’s Ranjangaon factory near Pune, which will also be a hub for its export all over the world.
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