SPY PICS: New baby Jeep to get all the mod-cons

Jeep’s upcoming pint-size SUV has been spotted testing in Europe again, but this time round our spy photographer was able to get a peep inside the more rugged Hyundai Venue rival.

The interior design is a predictably straight-forward one with a generously-sized infotainment screen mounted high on the multi-layered dash, and between the two layers is an all-purpose storage shelf, a row of 10 climate control buttons and a stereo volume knob.

A deep storage bin resides underneath these controls and in front of the gear shifter, behind which are two switches including an electronic parking brake button, while the fabric-upholstered front seats are split by a narrow armrest and cup-holders.

Smartphone phone mirroring, single-zone climate control, hill start assist, keyless entry and a push-button start are all revealed to be included in the so-far-unannounced baby Jeep, along with six-speed manual transmission.

That last inclusion alone – as well as the rear exhaust outlet and mesh front air-intakes – are enough to confirm this particular prototype as an internal combustion vehicle, however, a full battery-electric powertrain is also on the cards and will most likely be reserved for the flagship version.

One petrol and one diesel engine are expected to make up the combustion powertrain line-up, however, Jeep’s CMP architecture also lends itself well to hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology, meaning Jeep could also develop a 4xe PHEV version if it so wanted.

Externally there’s very little to report in terms of aesthetics given the prototype is still wearing the same elaborate camouflage as the last time we saw it, only this time it’s fitted with some sort of aerial or transponder

The notion of a sub-Renegade SUV from Jeep has been on the cards for years now, and industry leaks earlier this year and previous reports suggested production would start in July.

Evidently that hasn’t happened, but our sources are still tipping the rugged new light SUV to debut before the end of the year as an MY23 model.

Although it’s shoo in for the European and North American markets, there have been no local indications Jeep’s new compact SUV will make it to Australia, where the Jeep Renegade was axed from our market in early 2020 after just four years on sale here due to slow sales.

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