Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Jeep Compass Rallye: Out in the UK, In for the USA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/jeep-compass-rallye-out-in-the-uk-in-for-the-usa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/jeep-compass-rallye-out-in-the-uk-in-for-the-usa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/jeep-compass-rallye-out-in-the-uk-in-for-the-usa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



When Chrysler introduced the Jeep Compass to the UK market last year, the automaker made the decision to only offer it in the more aggressive-looking (well, kinda) Rallye trim (above). That was based on market research conducted by the automaker in advance of the product launch. Now, a year into things, it's backtracking in a big way. According to UK media resource Headline Auto, Chrysler Blighty has shelved the Compass Rallye in favor of the standard-look Compass. Why? Simple: the regular Compass, contrary to all that prior research, tests better with consumers in clinics held by the automaker's marketing people. In particular, first-time SUV shoppers and women were drawn to the unkitted version of the car. Reading the writing on the wall, Chrysler has made the call to back-burner the Rallye. Don't throw dirt on the Rallye package quite yet, though. It could resurface in some form down the line.

Meanwhile, on this side of the Atlantic, Chrysler hopes that American customers become smitten with that very same Rallye kit. It's now being offered as a Mopar option package in the US for the first time. Here at home, the Compass has become a bit of a piñata among enthusiasts, who have mercilessly derided the car for a variety of reasons. Those include problematic styling that in no way lives up to the promise of the original Compass concept, a chintz-heavy interior, a general lack of "Jeepness" and a powertrain selection that is uninspiring at best. The domestic Compass Rallye is obviously an attempt to "man up" the vehicle a bit, though based on Autoblog's reader comments, it's clear that a many view the package as little more than lipstick on a pig. However this all turns out, it's been interesting to see how the marketing approach for Compass has evolved on each side of the pond. Hindsight's 20/20, of course, but maybe Chrysler would have been better off if it launched the Compass Rallye here from "go" and just gave the Brits the regular version. Despite this inter-continental game of Three-Card Monte with the product, we think there's a way Chrysler can rectify everything and get all the naysayers on both ends of the ocean to stop yapping. How about a 300-horsepower, AWD Jeep Compass Rallye SRT-4? You know. Just a thought...

Jeep Compass Rallye: Out in the UK, In for the USA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2007 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compasscompass rallyeCompassRallyeMon, 14 May 2007 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA: Jeep MK49 Compass Rallye]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/01/sema-jeep-mk49-compass-rallye/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/01/sema-jeep-mk49-compass-rallye/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/01/sema-jeep-mk49-compass-rallye/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



John Neff has found a Jeep Compass we can all get behind. Look, we constantly rail against the Jeep Compass for being a car in Jeep's clothing. Does the MK49 Compass Rallye butch it up? You bet it does. It certainly looks ready to go tackle some tall brush and kick up a little gravel. While there are no engine mods (what?!?!?!), the suspension's been dialed in by the wizards at SRT and a strut-tower brace has been added. We fully dig the wheels and Yokohoma rubber, as well as the HID driving lamps, which should totally be an option on the Compass. In fact, this whole car is what the Compass should have been to begin with. If the engine were tuned we'd be more impressed. Are you listening, Jeep?

(Photo gallery after the jump)

Continue reading SEMA: Jeep MK49 Compass Rallye

SEMA: Jeep MK49 Compass Rallye originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compass rallyeCompassRallyemk49 compass rallyeMk49CompassRallyeWed, 01 Nov 2006 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Jeep Compass Rallye "Britain's ugliest car"?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/13/jeep-compass-rallye-britains-ugliest-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/13/jeep-compass-rallye-britains-ugliest-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/13/jeep-compass-rallye-britains-ugliest-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chrysler Group is determined to make its mark in Europe's compact 4x4 segment, and hopes that its new Dodge Caliber-based crossovers - the Jeep Compass Rallye (upper right) and the Jeep Patriot - will grab a significant share of a market that the automaker sees reaching 400,000 units per year by 2010.

If Autocar is a reliable indicator of the tastes of British car buyers, Chrysler may have to depend on the Patriot to carry the ball - the magazine thinks that the "distinctive" Compass Rallye could well displace the homely Ssangyong Rodius (right, below) as "Britain's ugliest car." Meanwhile, 4Car's reviewers are more kind, saying only that the Rallye's "different look is likely to polarise opinion."

Both Jeeps go on sale in the U.K. early next year.

[Sources: Autocar, 4Car]

Jeep Compass Rallye "Britain's ugliest car"? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compass rallyeCompassRallyepatriotrodiusssangyong rodiusWed, 13 Sep 2006 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Jeep Compass Rallye for the UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/12/jeep-compass-rallye-for-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/12/jeep-compass-rallye-for-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/12/jeep-compass-rallye-for-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Remember the kitted-up Compass Rallye concept that made its debut at the 2005 Frankfurt show? The show car looks were dropped for the production version, which is currently available here in the US and will start appearing in European showrooms soon. The UK, however, is a different matter entirely.

In the UK, the only Jeep Compass that will be available is a right-hand-drive limited-production version of the concept car. The 2007 Jeep Compass Rallye will be available only with the Freedom Drive 1 all-wheel drive system and the aforementioned appearance package. Black wheels, aero-style bumpers and side skirts, and extra foglamps give the Compass Rallye its unique look.

The decision to make only the Rallye edition available was the result of UK market research that showed that the bespoilered Compass would be a better seller than the standard vehicle. To illustrate the limited availability of the Compass Rallye, Jeep stated that the UK division's other new arrival, Patriot, will outsell the Compass Rally 10:1. Pricing won't be announced until later.

Both the Patriot and Compass, as you know by now, are built on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber, and as such, they share powerplants with the little Dodge. Like the Euro Caliber, the Compass Rallye and Patriot will be available with either the 2.4L gasoline 4-cylinder or the VW-sourced 2.0 diesel. Looking at the aeroed-out Compass Rallye, we can't help but wonder what it'd be like to have it in the US ... with AWD and the Caliber SRT4 mill. Now that'd be something.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: DaimlerChrysler UK]

Continue reading Jeep Compass Rallye for the UK

Jeep Compass Rallye for the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 jeep compass rallye2007JeepCompassRallyecompasscompass rallyeCompassRallyejeep compass rallyeJeepCompassRallyerallyeTue, 12 Sep 2006 18:02:00 EST