A middle
The Jeep Compasstogether with the smaller Renegade, brings the new mechanic to its debut hybrid 48 volts which will also be used by the Alfa Romeo Tonale (whose orders should start in April); named e-Hybrid, combines characteristics of mild hybrids with others of full hybrids. The system consists of the new 1.5 turbo with direct petrol injection (introduced into the four cylinders at a pressure of up to 350 bar), which operates on a Miller cycle: compared to the more common Otto cycle, it keeps the exhaust valves open longer during the rising of the pistons to reduce the pumping effort and, therefore, the waste of energy. The 1.5 works together (or alternately) with a 20 HP electric unit, keyed to the dual-clutch robotic gearbox and powered by a 0.8 kWh lithium-ion battery placed under the central tunnel. The current engine is not limited to supporting the 1.5 in starting and shooting, as is usually the case for mild hybrids, but, at low speed and for short distances, it can move the car alone (the petrol engine remains off ) as in full hybrids.
In fact, in our test we verified how, by gently pressing the accelerator when starting and parking maneuvers, the Jeep Compass e-Hybrid manages to run only on electricity for a few tens of meters, up to almost 30 km / h, before the 1.5 restarts. The latter, again to reduce consumption, switches off and disconnects from the wheels when the accelerator is released, allowing the car to “sail” as if it were in neutral. The hybrid system includes a second smaller electric unit, connected to the 1.5 by a belt: it acts as a starter motor and makes the insertions of the other two motors smoother.
Outside and inside it does not change
Mechanics aside, the Jeep Compass e-Hybrid remains the one updated a year ago (who the first contact), with the new standard full LED headlights for all trim levels, the typical Jeep grille with vertical elements and, more generally, the squared-off appearance that makes it look like a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. The passenger compartment is confirmed as spacious and well finished, with the elegant dashboard crossed by a padded band in eco-leather and a satin element. The clearly legible configurable digital dashboard matches the 10.1 ”cantilever screen (standard for the S) of the refined multimedia system. Among the many options, such as the management of some car features from the smartphone, we add information on the hybrid system: they show the activity of the engines in real time and provide statistics on the kilometers traveled only with electricity and the amount of energy recovered. in slowdowns and “sailing”. As for the trunk, the capacity is not record-breaking; compared to the petrol or diesel-only versions, the Jeep Compass 1.5 T4 loses a few liters, stopping at 424 instead of 438 (on the sofa down the value is respectively 1270 and 1387 liters).
Andante con brio
The alternation of the engines of the Jeep Compass 1.5 T4 S DDCT, managed by the electronics, is almost imperceptible and facilitates a smooth and even lively ride: already at 1500 rpm a good value of torque is available, equal to 240 Nm. The precise steering and the right consistency, combined with the rather rigid suspension, it instills safety, offering all the necessary agility and ample road holding margins (favored by the generous footprint of the 235/45 R 19 tires). On the more marked holes and bumps, however, some jolts must be taken into account.
The double clutch transmission of the Jeep Compass 1.5 T4 S DDCT it gently engages the seven gears and shows some limits only in brilliant driving: not always ready to downshift the ratios, sometimes it keeps a low gear for too long, unnecessarily revving the 1.5 (which becomes noisy) when it has already given everything. The manual mode can only be managed by moving the lever in the tunnel back and forth (the “paddles” on the steering wheel are missing), while the e-Auto Off button is used to facilitate shooting liveliness: it inhibits operation only in electric mode, so as to use all the battery power to support 1.5.
No 4×4, but …
The Jeep Compass e-Hybrid there is only front-wheel drive, but it is still a Jeep: the generous minimum distance from the ground of 20 cm allows you to pass with a certain ease even on very bumpy surfaces. As for consumption, at the end of the test the on-board computer indicated about 12 km / l: a big difference from the 17.5 declared by the manufacturer, but, pending more precise checks on our test routes, it must be said that we have faced with brio even on the hilly roads, and on the motorway we drove at the maximum permitted speed. In the latter situation, the Jeep Compass 1.5 T4 S DDCT proved to be comfortable: the soundproofing was taken care of and the Level 2 semi-autonomous driving systems were effective (which, for 150 euros, include lane centering).
The new Jeep Compass 1.5 T4 DDCT is already on sale with prices starting from 36,200 euros for the Longitude, with standard automatic emergency braking that is also activated in front of cyclists and pedestrians, the wireless connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone air conditioning and wheels in alloy of 17 “. Of the six trim levels, the S in the test is the most expensive: in the 43,450 euros it also includes the adaptive cruise control, the navigator, the electrically adjustable leather seats, the motorized tailgate and the 19 ”wheels.
In our opinion
Benefits
> Cockpit. it is spacious and well finished.
> Driving aid. Virtually nothing is missing, not even the level 2 semi-autonomous guide.
> Multimedia system. Modern and intuitive, it offers several features.
Defects
> Baule. It is not the most capacious in the category.
> Change. Not very ready in climbing, it does not have the steering wheel levers for manual use.
> Engine noise. In acceleration it is evident and annoying.
–
