Fiat to launch the Jeep brand in India this year

It seems like Fiat might finally launch the Jeep brand in the Indian market this year. The brand was to be launched in 2013, however, it didn’t happen and then there were rumours that Jeep might not make it at all. In news that will please Jeep fans, a publication says the Jeep brand might make it to India this year with its two products – the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler. 

It seems like 15 dealers have been already appointed and these products will be brought in through the CBU route. While the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee are both available with an option of petrol engines, we might only get the diesel powered variants here. 

The Grand Cherokee might be powered by a 3.0-litre, V6 engine churning out 188bhp and 440Nm of torque mated to an eight-speed ZF unit. The SUV has a claimed 119mph (191kmph) top speed and can do the sprint from 0-100 kmph in 8.2 seconds. 

The Wrangler, if it is made available in the Sahara or the Overland trims, will be powered by a diesel engine whereas the Rubicon variant gets only a 3.6-litre V6 petrol mill. There is no confirmed news if the Wrangler will be made available with a two-door or four-door version, but expect the two-door model to reach our shores. 

The Wrangler might be powered by a four-pot, 2.8-litre that makes 197bhp and 460Nm of torque mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. While the Wrangler is a true-blue off-roader unlike the Cherokee, but when put on the road it can still do 172kmph and accelerate to 100 kmph in 10.6 seconds. 

We aren’t sure about the pricing part, but expect the Grand Cherokee to cost upward of Rs 55 lakh, but under 65 lakh. The Wrangler on the other hand is more of a lifestyle product and might cost at least Rs 40 lakh. It is rumoured that Fiat might launch both these vehicles by the end of 2015.

Source