The Jeep C-SUV has been spotted again this time in USA, weeks ahead of its world debut at the 2016 New York International Auto Show. Fiat-Chrysler has been working on a new SUV under the Jeep brand, which in all likelihood, will be launched and also manufactured in India in 2017.

Test mules of the Jeep 551 was spotted outside FCA headquarters in Michigan USA by an IAB reader. Codenamed 551, this Jeep has earlier been spotted with a production ready body, in Brazil. This SUV will be produced in the Pernambuco plant and will commence production by late 2016. It will go on sale in early 2017, in Brazil. The Jeep 551 is also expected to enter production in India by 2017. This SUV will most likely fit into the segment in between the Hyundai Creta/Renault Duster and The Toyota Fortuner/ Ford Endeavour.

Rendered images by Autosegredos provides an insight into how this SUV may look. Fiat wants the new SUV to look like a mini Jeep Cherokee and the images depict that aspect. The Jeep C-SUV is based on a platform what is a mix of the Jeep Renegade and Fiat Toro pick-up truck and it will globally replace the Jeep Compass and Jeep Liberty.

Having similar looks as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the C-SUV has the Jeep signature seven bar grille with chrome finish. A large honeycomb air intake features on the front bumper, surrounded by black cladding that runs around to the wheel arches. From the side it has similarities to the Fiat Toro and has interesting looking alloy wheels.

The Jeep C-SUV shares much of its mechanical structure including suspension systems with the Renegade and Toro. Engine options known as of now, include a 2.0 litre petrol motor with 156bhp and a similar capacity Multijet II diesel motor, yielding 170bhp. This will supposedly be mated to a six-speed manual as well as a new nine-speed automatic transmission. The SUV will also come in a 4X4 version.The 551 is larger in size than the Jeep Renegade.

Jeep has already announced its entry into India and will start its business with the sale of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler Unlimited. The company is currently gearing up to inaugurate exclusive dealerships in 5 major cities, to start with. By the time the Jeep 551 is launched, Fiat expects Jeep’s network strength to be around 25. The 551 is expected to be priced between INR 15-20 lakhs (on-road).

Read more on the Jeep 551