Two new concepts showcase next generation of Jeep SUVs

Before you even look at the photographs from the Frankfurt Show you should be able to work out who the target audiences are for each of Jeep's new concept cars, based only on the description of their colours: the Patriot is painted 'Armour Green' and the Compass is 'G-Force Liquid Green'...

As you may have surmised, the Patriot is a no-nonsense Jeep in the traditional sense of the brand, with claimed best in class off-road abilities, rugged construction and not just a little nod to the American forces. The Compass is an altogether new type of vehicle for Jeep. In much the same way that Land Rover developed the Range Rover Sport as a performance SUV, it looks like the Compass is to be Jeep's compact performance SUV, with little mention of its off-road abilities, the press material instead focussing on the sleek, aggressive looks and huge 19-inch alloys fitted with 'redline' road-biased tyres.

Though only concepts at this stage, it is likely that Jeep will expand its range with new models next year, themselves the basis of the show cars. At first glance I thought that the concepts represented a replacement for the current Cherokee, but they sit on a slightly shorter wheelbase, and are smaller overall, suggesting that this is a whole new product line. Backing this up is the likely range of engines, with DaimlerChrylser's new 2.4-litre 'World Engine' and a 2-litre turbodiesel mooted for the engine bays of these cars. A continuously variable transmission is also mentioned, as is a new four-wheel drive system. More details should be forthcoming at the Detroit Show in January 2006.