Lipstick on a... It's STARTECH's Jeep Compass!
Click to enlarge
With the tunerrific Essen Motor Show upon us, we've received more info on what Deutsch masters of mayhem, Brabus/Startech, prepared for the show (Startech is Brabus' Chrysler Group vehicle specialist). We'll start with their Jeep Compass.
The Compass is a pretty ugly car, which is tragic, because the original 2002 Compass Concept was super-duper-looking (photos after the jump). And give Startech a little credit -- they've made the retail version look a bit better just by referencing the concept for inspiration and trying to apply more cues from it to their version. (How novel. If only Jeep had done the same thing.) The stock, ridiculous-looking fascia has been jettisoned in favor of a Startech unit that mimics the concept car's frontal appearance, with a metallic-look bumper cover that features foglights covered in protective grilles.
Plenty more to talk about. It continues after the jump.
[Source: Brabus/Startech]
Startech continues with the no-brainer approach by adding rocker panels and a modified rear bumper cover in the same finish. Again, just like the concept. Their 5-spoke wheels can make anything look better, and they do exactly that here. The supplemental rear bumper cover has a pair of cutouts to accommodate the Startech sport exhaust's dual tips.
The press release indicates that the project car is diesel-equipped, and Startech's tuning kit for it boosts horsepower by 40, elevating it to 180. Torque is 265 ft-lb (360 Nm). For all the talk of the diesel, however, we're intrigued by the photo car's LPGi badging (Scroll down for a closer look). We're hard pressed to find any info on a liquid petroleum gas version of the Compass anywhere. The cars powered by the VW-sourced 2.0L diesel wear CRD badging.
Finally, Startech does its best to dress up the Compass' Little Tykes plastic interior with some leather accents, sill trim and velour floormats, but there's only so much that can be done here. Give them credit for trying. It's a daunting task, to be sure.
So, in summary, Startech built a better-looking Compass. Not bad, but we still wouldn't buy one, improvements notwithstanding. As for this LPGi business, we got curious and emailed Brabus with questions. We'll update this post with their answers.
GALLERY
Click any photo to enlarge
2007 Jeep Compass by Startech
2002 Jeep Compass Concept
2007 Jeep Compass - Production Model
PRESS RELEASE:
World Debut at the ESSEN-MOTOR-SHOW 2006
Exclusive STARTECH Accessories for the Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass has arrived and in time for the market introduction of the new compact SUV
STARTECH already offers an exclusive customization program
and powerful performance tuning for the turbodiesel model.
The STARTECH SD3 performance kit for the diesel model consists of an auxiliary module that
modifies the engine electronics. With it maximum power output of grows from stock 140 hp / 103
kW to 180 hp / 132 kW. At the same time peak torque increases to 360 Nm between 1,750 and
2.500 rpm.
As an optimal complement to the STARTECH SD3 power kit there is the STARTECH sport
exhausts system with a large oval chrome tailpipe on either side. The fully stainless-steel precise-
fit exhaust is available for all engine variants of the Compass, and lends the Jeep a more thrilling
exhaust note.
For customizing the exterior STARTECH offers a custom-tailored designer suit. In the front the
Compass gets a new face with the STARTECH front fascia. Retaining the original mounting points
means easy installation and optimal precise fit.
The sides of the five-door are refined by elegant STARTECH rocker panels that serve as running
boards. The rear of the Jeep is modified with an element that attaches to the rear bumper. It
features integrated cutouts for the STARTECH sport exhaust.
'20-inch diameter instead of the 18-inch stock wheels' is the motto of the exclusive STARTECH
tire/wheel combination for the Compass. The Monostar IV five-spoke wheels are silver polished
and in size 9Jx20 with size 245/35 R 20 tires they fill out the wheel houses nicely.
STARTECH also offers progressive-rate springs that lower the ride height of the American SUV by
some 30 millimeters. The lowered center of gravity gives the Jeep sportier and even safer handling
characteristics.
STARTECH also adds exclusive and individual interior highlights. These include stainless-steel
door sills with illuminated STARTECH logo, high-quality velour floor mats and the STARTECH
Lifestyle interior upgrade package that gives the entire Compass cockpit a more elegant
appearance.
STARTECH 2006.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
aaron 10:16AM (12/08/2006)
most of the changes look to entail higher bumpers / lower grill and your article seems to suggest it is a massive departure from ugly to fine.. Should have thrown up a compass limited to show how they look closer, but I guess that wouldn't have been in line with the story lmao.
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CJ 10:29AM (12/08/2006)
MUCH better!
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Mr_Oak 10:20AM (12/08/2006)
Jeep should have stuck with the concept design.
That said, Startech fornt-end treatment makes it look even worse. I'd say bad choice of lipstick. Nice wheels though.
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Bob 10:21AM (12/08/2006)
Still stunned that they could go from the well balanced, visually pleasing and down right cool design of the show car to the turd that is the production model. Proof positive that focus groups are lethal to good design.
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Piter 10:21AM (12/08/2006)
Nah, this aint diluting the Jeep brand at all, not at all. The only thing its missing is a catback kit, a big ass, honking chrome exhaust, and a rear wing to generate downforce.
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JarryHames 7:07PM (12/08/2006)
And still an Ugly Betty!!!
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Kowell 10:32AM (12/08/2006)
Agree..the concept (with a small facelift) would have been much cooler... Just check the FJ cruiser's popularity
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J P 10:42AM (12/08/2006)
Hey, that does look better! Maybe i would actually buy this jeep compass! Oh wait, no I wouldn't.
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Beotch 10:44AM (12/08/2006)
Well, I like the rims! They are shiney. And my mother always said if I don't have anything nice to say, to not say it. Which never really stopped me, but hey, its Friday ...
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High Schooler Emeritus 12:46PM (12/08/2006)
Vehicle
Jeep Compass
Target Customer
Joe Dumbass
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kanadian 11:04AM (12/08/2006)
Jeep missed out compared to the concept hey ouch!! Two thumbs down
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JW 8:29PM (12/08/2006)
I like the '05 concept better.
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big jimmy 12:43PM (12/08/2006)
the compass is looking better, but can jeep sell more of them.
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Nill 1:13PM (12/08/2006)
I was ready to buy the concept when they first showed it way back.
I still can't understand how they managed to screw it up so much.
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Pitcrew 1:13PM (12/08/2006)
Wow.........that Jeep Compass concept was a good looking machine......What the F*-@ happend?
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Howard Kerr 1:20PM (12/08/2006)
The concept looks fairly decent, but I'll bet it was "lost in the shuffle" because it's a two door....and 2 door ANYTHINGS are impractical and don't sell. Ooops, I forgot, Jeep's own Wrangler is/was a 2 door.
I think if I REALLY was forced to drive a Compass, I'd spend a ton of cash and duplicate StarTech's concept....right down to the black paint as it seems to hide all the stupid and pointless bulges of the production vehicle. (The Concept needed them, the production vehicle looks ugly with them.) Or, lacking cash, I'd have it painted "Forest or Desert Camo" so it might blend in so much it can't be easily seen.
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ekow 9:13PM (12/08/2006)
That is the worst migration from concept to production I have ever seen...what a piece of poop.
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GOT 12:25AM (12/09/2006)
Well, those Startech parts look good. Problem is that the Compass has such a beauty deficit that it'll take more than the car costs to compensate... or a hole 6 feet deep.
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BOB 4:33AM (12/09/2006)
SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE POINT OF PUTTING FANCY EARRINGS ON A SOW'S EAR, LIKE THE COMPASS, MIGHT BE?????
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Glenn 1:56AM (12/10/2006)
what caught my eye; is that they correctly made the interior material nicer by putting leather or vinyl touches to cover the hard plastic look.
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