New Sub-Compact Jeep® To Join New FIAT & Alfa Romeo Vehicles:

Should Be Based On The Compact Modular Platform (CMP)...

Bili March 5, 2021

The Jeep® brand has been hinting for some time now, that it has planned on building a sub-compact model for certain markets outside North America beneath its compact Renegade model. Automotive News Europe is now reporting that the upcoming Jeep, will be one part of a trio of new vehicles going into production at the Stellantis Tychy plant in Poland, which currently manufactures the Fiat 500 and Lancia Ypsilon city cars.

The article indicates that the all-new A/B segment vehicle would be the first Jeep product developed under the joint operations of the former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot S.A. (PSA) groups newly merged identity Stellantis.

The trio of vehicles includes a Jeep, an Alfa Romeo, and a five-door model FIAT model.

Compact Modular Platform (CMP). (Stellantis).

Currently, the Jeep Renegade and its corporate sibling the Fiat 500X ride on variants of the Small Wide 4×4 platform. It is believed that the new Junior model could be riding on a variant of the Compact Modular Platform (CMP) developed by the former PSA side of the company.

The CMP was designed to meet the needs of markets across the globe and is able to be manufactured as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) platform in which PSA has already developed a 100kW (136 horsepower) electric motor, a 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and a high-performance heat pump for. In those markets which can’t meet the electrified needs of a BEV, the CMP also accommodates internal combustion engines (ICE) and mild-hybrid models as well.

The FIAT model will more than likely a production version or at least be heavily influenced by the award-winning Fiat Centoventi (120) Concept. This model could bear the Fiat Panda nameplate. The exterior dimensions should be similar to another CMP-based vehicle, the Opel Mokka. This means it would have roughly a 2.56 m (100.7 inch) wheelbase, 4.15 m (163.4 inches) length, 1.79 m (70.5 inches) in width, and 1.53 cm (60.3 inches) in height.

We believe that the FIAT model could be a BEV economy version that could be shared with the Citroën brand. This would mean a lower battery capacity and lower electric power for these products in comparison to the rest of the CMP-based Stellantis offerings.

The Jeep vehicle which we are being told is internally called “Junior”, will have roughly the same dimensions as the FIAT but with a higher capacity battery and a more powerful electric motor for the BEV version. We still aren’t sure if the “Junior” will be offered with an optional four-wheel-drive (4×4) or be strictly a front-wheel-drive (FWD) model. This would be a disappointment as all Jeep vehicles offer some type of 4×4 system.

While the CMP platform has yet to offer a 4×4 offering, however, the discarded FCA e-Mini architecture that underpins the new Fiat 500e is 4×4 capable.

Alfa Romeo Tonale Concept Sketch. (Alfa Romeo).

The Alfa Romeo offering should be the largest out of the trio, riding on a longer wheelbase. This could translate into a 2.61 m (102.6 inch) wheelbase and 4.3 m (169.3 inches) in length, which would be slightly longer than the Jeep Renegade. We are told that this particular model is codenamed “Kid” internally.

The Jeep and Alfa Romeo models should be offered with both BEV and ICE options.

These models are expected to make their official debut sometime next year, before being launched sometime in 2023.

So what do you think of a Jeep smaller than Renegade? Let us know in the comments below or in the MoparInsiders forums.

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C Crocodile Mar 07, 2021 #1

It might work in Europe and Asia. It might be possible to offer 4 wheel drive as an option by using an electric motor to drive the rear wheels as in the Pacifica. In Australia the Renegade has been taken off the market because the Compass stole too many of its sales. Something smaller than Renegade may work. Small Suzukis have steady sales here.

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redriderbob Mar 07, 2021 #2

The Chrysler Pacifica’s AWD system – the first available in a Chrysler minivan since 2004 – uses mechanical and electronic technology proven durable and capable on FCA vehicles. In addition, the system was put through its paces, with more than 1 million customer-driven-equivalent miles of testing prior to introduction.

Key mechanical components of the Chrysler Pacifica AWD system include:

Power Transfer Unit (PTU): Splits torque from the nine-speed automatic transmission and routes it to the rear drive module
Three-piece Drive Shaft: Connects the PTU and the rear drive module. Even with the additional driveline components, the Chrysler Pacifica AWD retains its second-row Stow ‘n Go seating storage
Rear Drive Module: Houses electronically controlled wet clutch that manages torque to rear wheels; second-generation one-speed drive module optimized for weight and low-speed drag torque reduction

Other mechanical changes resulting in improved driving dynamics include the addition of a rear sway bar and revised tuning for the front and rear suspension. Ride height is increased 0.78 inches (20 millimeters).

Pacifica’s seamless, fully automatic AWD system is the only one in the segment capable of transferring 100 percent of the available engine torque to the rear wheels, or whichever wheels have more available traction. The Pacifica AWD system, the most capable AWD in the class, is also able to sense and stop the drive shaft from spinning when AWD is not required, a class-exclusive feature in the segment that improves efficiency.

The AWD system also employs a brake-lock differential system to help enhance traction, with fully automatic torque distribution between each wheel. If one wheel on an axle loses traction, the system applies the brake to the low-traction wheel, redirecting torque through the differential to the wheel with more traction. The 18-inch brake package for AWD features larger vented front and solid rear rotors and calipers with more capacity.

The AWD system engages automatically, based on a variety of sensor inputs that signal when enhanced traction is beneficial. For best traction performance, AWD is engaged when the Chrysler Pacifica begins to accelerate from a standing stop. Other inputs that signal AWD engagement include:

Cold exterior temperature
Use of windshield wipers
Slip detected at the front wheels
Heavy acceleration at certain vehicle speeds, such as overtaking during passing
Electronic stability control activation
Abrupt steering or sudden throttle inputs
Rough road conditions/grades

When the Chrysler Pacifica’s drivetrain detects that AWD is not needed, it disconnects the PTU and rear drive module automatically to stop the drive shaft from spinning, reducing driveline drag and improving efficiency.

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Appassito Mar 07, 2021 #3

M Mattsmustang65 Mar 07, 2021 #4

New Sub-Compact Jeep® To Join New FIAT & Alfa Romeo Vehicles:

Should Be Based On The Compact Modular Platform (CMP)...

View attachment 4118

The Jeep® brand has been hinting for some time now, that it has planned on building a sub-compact model for certain markets outside North America beneath its compact Renegade model. Automotive News Europe is now reporting that the upcoming Jeep, will be one part of a trio of new vehicles going into production at the … (read full article...)

New Sub-Compact Jeep® To Join New FIAT & Alfa Romeo Vehicles:

The Jeep® brand has been hinting for some time now, that it has planned on building a sub-compact model for certain markets outside North America beneath its compact Renegade model. Automotive News Europe is now reporting that the upcoming Jeep, will be one part of a trio of new vehicles going...

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