Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has confirmed Jeep will launch a Wrangler-based pickup in early 2018, as well as a new compact crossover to come next year that will replace the aging Compass and Patriot models.

The news comes courtesy of Australian car mag GoAuto, who was reporting from an FCA product round-up at the company's proving grounds in Michigan. Jeep CEO Mike Manley said the new small utility will make its global debut in Brazil before a North American reveal at this year's LA auto show. He also confirmed a pickup based on the next-generation Wrangler platform, possibly resembling 2005's Gladiator concept, that will go on sale in about 18 months.

An Australian FCA rep who travelled to the U.S. for a sneak peak at the small crossover said the new model will retain either the Compass or Patriot name, but that decision hasn't yet been made. For our part, we think Compass is a better fit with the Jeep go-anywhere philosophy.

All that said, a new Compass would likely have to be a bit bigger to properly differentiate itself from the subcompact Renegade, at which point it would then risk encroaching on the Cherokee's turf, so we'll be curious to see what FCA does to create a space in the Jeep line for its newest compact model.

New models to come over the next 18 months

6/24/2016 11:30:02 AM

6/24/2016 11:30:02 AM