Italian-American carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) today unveiled the 2021 variant of their successful Jeep Compass Sports Utility Vehicle. Featuring several improvements, particularly to the interiors including a new 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment panel and fully digital instrument cluster. The car will also have much improved touch-and-feel with a better arrangement of switches and dials, as well as improved safety features like six airbags and the top-end models will also come with a panoramic sunroof. Speaking to The Pioneer, Partha Dutta, President and Managing Director, Jeep India however did not comment on the merger that FCA is undertaking with French carmaker Peugeot-Citroen and the impact that would have in India but he reiterated FCA’s commitment to India with an additional $250 million of funding as well as announcing that the Ranjangaon plant will soon be producing ‘Made In India’ Jeep Wrangler, the iconic offroader, as well as the large Grand Cherokee. Jeep India will also be producing a three-row seven-seat SUV in the coming two years as well.
Skoda names new SUV ‘Kushaq’
Czech car brand Skoda, which is now leading the operations of Germany’s largest carmaker Volkswagen Group in India today announced that their Vision-IN concept car has been named ‘Kushaq’ which they said was derived from the Sanskrit for ‘King’. This product and its siling, the Volkswagen Taigun are based on the new MQB-0 platform and are a vital part of the group’s plans to finally conquer the Indian market after years of mediocrity. The car is expected to be launched in the April-May timeframe.
MG introduces 2021 version of the Hector
Chinese carmaker Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC) through its brand MG launched the 2021 version of their best-selling Hector SUV. The Hector will now be available in three separate 5, 6 and 7 seat versions.
The five-seat car will start at 12.89 lakhs, the seven-seat at Rs 13.34 lakhs and the six-seat model with Captain seats in the second row will start from Rs 15.99 lakhs.
The car will also feature improved voice commands which will recognise more ‘Hinglish’ terms according to the carmaker.