All-new Jeep Compass leaked in China

Pictures of Jeep's all-new replacement for the ageing Compass and Patriot SUV have been leaked online from a top secret photoshoot in China.

The new model is set to be revealed this November simultaneously at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China and the LA motor show. Snapped by Chinese car blog NetEase, these pictures show the new Compass while it was presumably being photographed for promotional material.

Pinching all its styling cues from its bigger brother, the Grand Cherokee, the new American Mazda CX-5 rival is set to go on sale globally as soon as early 2017.

Sharing its platform with the smaller Jeep Renegade and Italian Fiat 500X, the Compass is almost certain to pack both cars' powertrain options, including the 2.4-litre 'Tigershark' petrol engine and nine-speed automatic.

Entry-level versions could also be available with the Fiat-engineered 1.4-litre turbo; a larger 2.0-litre turbo is also likely to join the range.

Manufacturing will take place in Brazil, Mexico and China, hinting at how important the small compact SUV will be in emerging markets.

Originally, the Compass was scheduled to appear last March at the New York motor show, but was postponed for unknown reasons.

Since then Jeep boss, Mike Manley, has denied there were any problems with the Compass in an interview with motoring.com.au, despite persistent rumours that the delays were due to Jeep having to redesign the small SUV at the very last minute, delaying production.

Down Under the Compass can't arrive soon enough. Current sales of Jeep’s compact SUV during the first four months alone in 2016 have nosedived 60 per cent.