New Jeep from Fiat-Chrysler 05 | 02 | 2013

THE FIRST ALL-NEW Jeep to be built by the Fiat-Chrysler alliance will be unveiled at the New York Motor Show next month.

The SUV, which will rival the Land Rover Freelander, the Honda CR-V and Nissan’s X-Trail, is also expected to relaunch the Cherokee badge.

It will continue the recent family styling first seen on the facelifted Grand Cherokee (pictured). That means a slimmer interpretation of Jeep’s traditional seven-bar grille and narrow headlights

The newcomer is based on a version of Fiat’s Compact Wide platform, which underpins the US-market Dodge Dart. The new SUV will be available with four-wheel drive, plus the choice of V6 engines and diesels.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the car — which will be built in the US and China — is unlikely to come to Europe with the petrol-guzzling 3.2-litre V6.

Diesels though will enter Scottish showrooms, and the car will be the first to be fitted with a new nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Alfa and Mazda in roadster tie-up

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Jim McGill