By Theodore Orji

Some years back, the Jeep siblings were known for fuel gozzling but the story has changed with the new generation Jeeps. Chrysler’s association with Daimler AG yeilded good fruits for the American auto maker in terms of technological improvement and design.

Today, the Jeep siblings rank among the most fuel efficient SUVs in the automobile world. From the Jeep Patriot to the Compass, Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, there have been remarkable improvement in design, performance, fuel efficiency, luxury and safety features. The Jeep series simply have become the yardstick fo measuring fuel efficient sport utility vehicles as well as capable off-road vehicle.

The Compass is one of the Jeep siblings that benefitted frm the short romance between Daimler AG and Chrysler Corporation of United States. A smart looking compact sport utility vehicle, the Compass shares a lot with the Jeep Grand Cherokee in terms of design, but with smaller engine which resulted in its fuel efficiency, manouverability and agilty. Introduced into the Nigerian market barely a year ago by Weststar Associates which also represents Merdes Benz in Nigeria, the Compass has proved to be a capable Jeep like the Grand Cherokee in all terrains.

It offers capability without compromise with its 2.4 Dottc 16 valve engine which is paired with four-wheel system to take all terrain.

This power plant delivers 170 horsepower DIN supported by 220Nm. The engine dual variable Variable Valve Training electronicaly controls both intake and exhaust valves, helping to improve power and encourage an economic performance. This engine achieves estimated fuel efficiency of 6.4 litre/100 km extra urban cycle.

Like the Grand     cherokee, the Compass is designed around safety.  More than 30 robust safety and security features are in place in the Jeep Compass, keeping watch on the trail and on the road. A Jeep engined safety cage structure contains a front crumple zone specifically designed to absorb energy during frontal impact. You can’t imagine that your Compass comes with tyre monitoring systems, heated power-exterior mirrors, electronic stability control, advanced multi-stage front and side curtain airbags.

Others include supplemmental seat mounted side airbags, halogen headlamps and fog lamps, hill start assist, front seat active head restraint to mention just a few safety features.

The Compass might look compact in size, but it boosts big features like never seen in cars in its class. One of such is the Uconnect system which keeps you in touch with the people, music and devices that matter most. Uconnect is an intuitive hub for all your media-cell phone, MP3 player, smart phone, etc, desiged to make life easi er whenever you roam.

Luxury is a standard features in the Compass. Apart from automatic tempreture control, the leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and control, six-way power adjustable drivers seat, heated from seats etc, comes as standard.