Ever since Ford decided to exit the Indian market, Toyota has been enjoying the 7-seater SUV segment with the Fortuner. Even with competition like the MG Gloster and recently launched Skoda Kodiaq, the sales of the Toyota Fortuner is touching the roof. However, things will now get spruced up as Jeep Jeep India has teased the name of its 7-seater SUV that will be called, Meridian.
Yes, the made in India 7-seater SUV from Jeep India, Meridian has been tested from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and witnessed all kinds of terrains and climate change. It took the route through the Meridian 77-degrees East and showcased each state's culture, legacy and diversity. It passed through India Gate in Delhi, camels of Rajasthan, the tigers of Madhya Pradesh, the flag of Maharashtra, the elephant of Karanataka, coconut tree of Kerala and among others.
The Made in India, Made for India Jeep Meridian will be the most sophisticated and capable 7-seater SUVs in the country. The camouflaged Jeep Meridian travelled across Ladakh, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. With this 5000+ km run, Jeep India tested the performance of Meridian on several parameters like the build quality, engineering and its capability.
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Coming to the seating configuration then we do expect both 6 and 7-seat layouts for the Jeep Meridian. Mechanically, it will be powered by the same 2.0L diesel engine as seen in the Compass. However, we can see a slight bump in power and peak torque figures from 170 PS and 350 Nm respectively. A 9-speed automatic gearbox is likely to be standard on this one.
Feature-wise, we do expect all-LED headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, LED taillamps, a huge panoramic sunroof, power-folding ORVMs, 360-degree camera, hill hold assist, hill descent control, tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control, a larger touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital instrument cluster, electrically adjustable driver's seat and among others.
Roland Bouchara, CEO & Managing Director, Stellantis India, said on the occasion, "Jeep is an iconic brand, globally recognized for its capable SUVs. The Jeep brands journey in India has been legendary and we hope to build on this, with another equally legendary SUV - the Jeep Meridian. Developed specifically for the Indian customer, we have delivered a sophisticated and capable SUV ready to harness a unique segment opportunity.
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Our product offensive for 2022 and beyond will continue to illustrate our commitment to India as we work towards strengthening our market presence. The Jeep Meridian will further push the brand's attractiveness and transform the product portfolio for the Indian market.
Sharing his excitement on the announcement, Mr. Nipun J Mahajan, Head of Jeep India said, The Jeep Meridian is our latest offering for the Indian market as part of our 2022 product strategy. We wanted to announce the name with an innovative activation and the K2K drive through the length of India is in line with the name of our new model. We tested the SUV on every kind of terrain India has to offer by taking it on a challenging journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
We are proud to say, the Jeep Meridian performed flawlessly. We are delighted to deliver today, a car that is both Made-in-India and Made-for-India for our customers anticipating the Meridian. From performance to looks and comfort to off-roading prowess, the Jeep Meridian is truly unmatched in its category.
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Once launched, the Jeep Meridian will rival the likes of Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq and MG Gloster. We expect the prices to stick from Rs 36 lakh to Rs 41 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. So will you pick the Jeep Meridian over its rivals? Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Also, make sure you are a member of our 91Wheels Whatsapp and 91Wheels Telegram group. Here, we bring you the latest news from the Auto Industry and you also interact with like-minded fellow auto enthusiasts. Do subscribe to our 91Wheels YouTube Channel as well.
