吉普将在3月开幕的纽约车展发布吉普指南者/爱国者替代车型，最近谍照记者在美国拍到了正在进行最后测试的新车。吉普这款车内部编号为“551”，目前该车的开发已经进入最后阶段。新车将采用指南者/爱国者其中一款车的名称，内部搭载Small Wide平台。这辆接近量产版原型车采用了很少的车身伪装，它的车身离地间隙很高，以确保足够的越野性能。这款车看起来不像爱国者那么粗壮，与指南者共性更多一些，因此如果吉普将该车继续命名为指南者也丝毫不奇怪。菲亚特还将在明年增加一款自己的版本，预计该车将被命名为“500XL”。这款紧凑型跨界车将标配前驱，但可选装全驱系统。至于动力系统，很可能与Renegade共享，搭配九速自动变速器。考虑到该车将在3月的纽约车展与公众见面，吉普有可能在下月就发布这款车。

 

Jeep Compass / Patriot replacement spied in United States

Ahead of its official reveal at the New York Auto Show in March, Jeep’s Compass / Patriot replacement has been caught on camera performing final testing in United States.

 

Jeep is putting the finishing touches on its brand new compact SUV set to replace both the Compass and Patriot. Codenamed “551”, the new model will carry over one of the two names and will ride on an elongated configuration of the Small Wide platform that has underpinned the Renegade.

 

Seen here is a near-production prototype wearing a thin amount of camouflage and featuring a generous ground clearance promising some serious off-road prowess. It looks less blocky than the outgoing Patriot and seems to have more in common with the Compass, so we won’t be surprised if Jeep will use the latter's name.

 

Fiat could get its own version of the new Jeep compact SUV in 2017 and the model is expected to be called “500XL.” The compact crossovers are bound to come with a standard front-wheel drive layout and an optional AWD system. As for the engine lineup, it will be basically carried over from the Renegade from where the new model will also inherit the nine-speed automatic transmission.

 

Taking into account the Compass / Patriot replacement will go public in March at the New York Auto Show, maybe Jeep will be kind enough to reveal the crossover online next month.