Jeep's Renegade was spotted testing recently by our reader Parminder in Maharashtra again. The camouflaged test mule has been spied on Indian roads several times before.
The Renegade is a subcompact crossover that will be manufactured in India from 2017 at the Ranjangaon plant at good localisation levels, and exported to other RHD markets. Currently, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has introduced only the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and SRT Cherokee in the Indian line-up. So the probabilities of the Renegade being the American manufacturer's entry-level offering in India cannot be ruled out.
According to import data, two models of the Renegade have been imported to our country. Both are powered by the 2.0-litre MultiJet II diesel engine, but one comes mated to a six-speed manual while the other to a nine-speed automatic.
However, it should be noted that the carmaker is planning to introduce a locally made Jeep in India in 2017. Given the soaring demand for compact SUVs in India, especially ones priced between Rs 10–20 lakh, FCA could price the new product in this bracket. It will then serve as Jeep’s entry-level premium SUV in India.
