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New Delhi: Jeep Compass is, without doubt, mechanically a very sound car and remains a delight to drive. While not a so-called big SUV, it still has presence on the road. To keep their presence in the Indian petrol SUV segment, Stellantis are exploring the option to use Tata Motors’ forthcoming 1.5-litre T-GDi engine to power the Jeep Compass and even the Meridian.
Since its launch, the bigger offering from Jeep, the Meridian (available in five-seater and seven-seater configurations), has always been diesel only. The Compass once had a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that made 163 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. However, in May 2023, the Compass petrol was discontinued with the coming of BS6.2 norms.
Since that point, the brand has struggled financially to introduce a proper petrol engine due to the limited sales volume in the country.
The tie-up with Tata Motors could provide Stellantis with a ready and new petrol engine, with both brands having a long-standing collaboration with each other. Stellantis and Tata Motors jointly own the Ranjangaon plant, which produces the Nexon and Compass as well as the 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine that powers Jeep’s Compass and Meridia as well as Tata Harrier and Safari.
The new petrol engine is likely to be made at the same factory. Incidentally, Tata more recently acquired the licensing right from Stellantis for the in-house development of the 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine so that the engine can be offered in various tuning.
Tata had unveiled their 1.5-litre T-GDi engine at the Auto Expo 2023, which is a four-cylinder unit displacing 1,498 cc. The engine makes 170 bhp at 5,000 rpm and has 280 Nm of torque and will likely debut with the Tata Sierra, which is making a comeback in the brand’s lineup.
