Jeep: a small PSA-based SUV from 2022

Jeep is expected to launch production of a small SUV using a PSA platform in mid-2022 at its Polish plant in Tychy.

Jeep: a small PSA-based SUV from 2022

Models to come

With Stellar is, the merger of PSA and FCA, the objective is to generate maximum synergies in terms of technology, technology, and industry. A first step would be taken in July 2022 with the entry into production of a small Jeep-branded SUV (under the Renegade?) which will be designed on PSA's CMP platform. According to well-informed sources, this new product would be released from the Tychy factory in Poland, before being joined by Alfa Romeo and Fiat models the following year.

Thermal and electrical

Designed on the CMP platform, this new Jeep will be able to use thermal and electric motors, like the PSA models already using it: Citroën C4, DS3 Crossback, Opel Corsa, and Mokka and Peugeot 2008 and 2008. 

With two types of motorization possible, this « baby jeep » will be able to meet the expectations of a wide range of customers while promoting compliance with CO2 standards and thus avoid the heavy penalties imposed by the European Union.

• In itself, the arrival of this small Jeep is not a surprise, since it was already mentioned by Mike Manley, CEO of the brand before he led FCA, in 2018. 
• However, because of the brand image, it seems unthinkable to imagine a Jeep that is not available in four-wheel drive - at least in some versions. 

However, given the characteristics of the CMP platform, the integral transmission can only be envisaged in the case of a hybrid engine, with an electric motor driving the rear gear when the front wheels are driven by a thermal engine, like the Renegade and Compass hybrids or the Peugeot 3008, 508 PSE or DS 7 Crossback. However, this would be a luxury to which the current models « ex-PSA » using this platform are not entitled.

Cousin Italian

As the production of this « baby Jeep » alone would not be enough to ensure sufficient volume at the Tychy plant - a target of 400,000 vehicles produced per year - which currently produces the Fiat 500 and Lancia Ypsilon (263,000 cars produced in 2019) would be awarded the assembly of an Alfa Romeo crossover located under the Tonale compact SUV, potentially called Brennero, the name of an Italian mountain pass. 

A Fiat model would also be added. However, it is unclear what type of vehicle it would be, given that Manley had announced in 2019 that the FCA Group would cease its involvement in the mini-car segment - typically the Fiat 500 - which generated too little margin.

But it is hard to imagine Stellantis asking Fiat to give up its golden egg « 500 » in the short term. However, a replacement for the Punto could be named, sharing her underbelly with the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa. That said, we could see a series model derived from the Centoventi (120 in Italian) presented at the last Geneva Motor Show in 2019.