Baby Jeep rock-hopper coming soon

Details of Jeep’s latest all-new model, a sub-compact SUV, have emerged in recent days.

But don’t count on it coming to Australia any time soon.

Expected to rival vehicles such as the Suzuki Jimny and more mainstream compact SUVs like the Toyota Yaris Cross, the unnamed baby Jeep 4x4 has been rumoured for years, but now Automotive News Europe is citing sources who reckon it’s a done deal.

VIDEO: Suzuki Jimny vs Jeep Renegade

The all-wheel drive compact SUV would be Jeep’s smallest vehicle, slotting in underneath the Jeep Renegade, a model that was pulled from Australian showrooms due to slow sales.

Expected to be offered with all-wheel-drive and a range of combustion, hybrid and full EV powertrains, the new model will take aim at European markets initially.

Although the micro Jeep has not been officially confirmed yet, it’s understood Jeep Australia – and by extension the local Alfa Romeo and Fiat operations – is open to the idea of a cost-effective entry-level compact SUV and hasn’t ruled out such a vehicle, despite the Jeep Renegade’s poor reception here.

According to Automotive News, both Fiat and Alfa Romeo are expected to get their own versions of the tiny SUV about a year after the baby Jeep lobs, both of which could be possible starters for Australia as well.

The new Jeep will be based on Peugeot/Citroen vehicle underpinnings dubbed CMP (compact modular platform) and although no specific powertrains or equipment levels have been mooted, expect cutting-edge infotainment technology and potentially a few off-road tricks for the Jeep as well.

Set to enter production in mid-2022 at the Stellantis’ Tychy factory in Poland, which currently builds the Fiat 500, the all-new compact Jeep will reportedly be the first new vehicle under the Stellantis banner.

Based in the Netherlands, Stellantis is the new global automotive conglomerate that combines brands from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Jeep, RAM Trucks, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Chrysler, Maserati) and Groupe PSA (Citroen, Peugeot, Opel).

Back in 2016 former Jeep boss Mike Manley outlined plans for a pocket-sized Jeep at the Los Angeles motor show.

“In some markets we’re seeing a strong emergence of A [segment] or super-compact SUVs, and Europe is one, with all the German and French manufacturers piling into it,” said Manley at the time.

“I think the time will come where we’ll need one of those as well,” he portended.

Now that Manley has been promoted to Stellantis’ North American operations chief, the executive appears to have got his wish.

The new compact Jeep’s official name has not been confirmed but expect to hear more about the compact rock-hopper in the coming months – and whether or not the cut-price Jeep will be earmarked for Australia.

As it stands, Jeep's next big product push will be the new-generation Grand Cherokee, which arrives in Australia later in 2021.