DMAG
03-04-2007, 12:37 PM
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Startech Jeep Compass
Change of bearing for controversial cute-ute
By EVAN MCCAUSLAND
AutoWeek | Published 03/01/07, 3:05 pm et
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, designers within the Jeep studio should be blushing. Styling cues from their portfolios were blatantly copied by German tuner Startech in their attempt at a sporty Compass.
Screened fog lamps and argent-trimmed bumper fascias draw on the original Compass concept from 2002, but with a stance lowered by 30mm the little ute is more evocative of the Grand Cherokee SRT8. Both 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels are available and are patterned after the SRT design.
Leather accents with embroidered Compass logos create what Startech calls an “elegant appearance” inside, but the majority of interior trim consists of stock plastics.
Performance tuning, consisting of a new engine computer and exhaust system, is limited to models equipped with the 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder. Power is up from 140 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque to 180 hp and 266 lb-ft, all channeled through a five-speed manual transaxle.
It’s unknown if this Compass will point towards North America, but with SRT developing a 300-hp variant of its Dodge Caliber sibling, it’d be neat to see what Jeep designers could do with it themselves.
Startech Jeep Compass
Change of bearing for controversial cute-ute
By EVAN MCCAUSLAND
AutoWeek | Published 03/01/07, 3:05 pm et
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, designers within the Jeep studio should be blushing. Styling cues from their portfolios were blatantly copied by German tuner Startech in their attempt at a sporty Compass.
Screened fog lamps and argent-trimmed bumper fascias draw on the original Compass concept from 2002, but with a stance lowered by 30mm the little ute is more evocative of the Grand Cherokee SRT8. Both 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels are available and are patterned after the SRT design.
Leather accents with embroidered Compass logos create what Startech calls an “elegant appearance” inside, but the majority of interior trim consists of stock plastics.
Performance tuning, consisting of a new engine computer and exhaust system, is limited to models equipped with the 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder. Power is up from 140 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque to 180 hp and 266 lb-ft, all channeled through a five-speed manual transaxle.
It’s unknown if this Compass will point towards North America, but with SRT developing a 300-hp variant of its Dodge Caliber sibling, it’d be neat to see what Jeep designers could do with it themselves.