The emergence of compact SUV's has been all the buzz in the automotive world. Nissan a few years back gave us the Juke, followed by models including Ford's EcoSport and Mini's Countryman.
A long anticipated release comes from Jeep, who unveiled earlier this month at the North American International Auto Show, the 2015 Jeep Renegade is now available to the consumer market.
The crossover model sits 166.6 long and is 71.0 inches wide, a bit big for its category. The wheelbase is at 101.2 inches, outmatching competitors like the Juke and the Countryman.
The base Sport model features a 1.4 liter, turbocharged motor that churns out 160 HP and 184 pound-feet of torque and is only limited to a six-speed manual. Other features in the Sport model include Hill Start Assist, remote keyless entry and 16 inch alloys. The Latitude model will include a leather-wrapped steering wheel as a standard, reverse back-up camera, front fog lamps and a 5-inch display touch screen.
The Trailhawk version will come with dual-climate control, skid plates on the fuel tank and an improved suspension: Chapman struts at the front and MacPherson struts at the rear. It will house a 2.4 liter Tigershark engine, capable of producing an output of 184 HP and 177 pound-feet of torque coupled with a nine-speed gearbox that has been borrowed from the Cherokee. The Limited model will feature the same 2.4 liter Tigershark engine, heated seats, a seven-inch instrument cluster and will sit on 18-inch alloy wheels.
The 2015 model will also feature the My Sky open-panel roof that can be retracted, removed and stowed away in the height adjustable rear cargo area.
Designers of the 2015 Renegade claim that the body has been designed to reduce drag coefficient. The seven slot grill appears at the front, staying true to Jeep's traditional styling.
Check back frequently at Franchise Herald for more news on the 2015 Jeep Renegade.
