Report - Jeep "will look at" a sub-Renegade Ford EcoSport competitor

11/03/2014 - 16:26 | ,  ,  ,   | Shrawan Raja

Speaking to AutoExpress on the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show, Jeep's President and CEO says a vehicle smaller than the Jeep Renegade is one possibility.

He said an A-Segment SUV, thought to be a VW Taigun and Ford EcoSport challenger, is "something the brand will look at" but the priority now is "above the Grand Cherokee".

Jeep Renegade rear three quarters left at Geneva Motor Show
A sub-Renegade Jeep model with the same footprint as the VW Taigun or the Ford EcoSport could come in the next few years.

He announced that Jeep is developing a full-size seven seater SUV that will be called the Grand Wagoneer that will be its new flagship. Manley did not provide a timeframe to its launch.

The Renegade is 4.23 m long and rides on a 2.57 m wheelbase. A vehicle below is thought to be at about 4 m long.

Profile of the Ford EcoSport
The A-Segment SUV could be about 4m long and have the same footprint as the Ford EcoSport.

Jeep don't have a platform to do an A-Segment SUV of that specification at the moment, Auto Express comments, and would have to look at the platform of the next generation Fiat 500 for a base. A smaller Jeep vehicle would help counter the legislative pressure on CO2 emissions for the Jeep brand which lives off making heavy vehicles with large engines.

[Source - AutoExpress.co.uk]

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