Mopar Jeep Compass True North Concept Almost Looks Ready to Go Off-Road

The Compass has always been one odd duck of a Jeep. A face lift for 2011 brought Grand Cherokee–esque styling and a "Trail Rated" version, but few choose to take the Compass or its Patriot sibling far astray of blacktop. This beefier Mopar Compass True North concept aims to change that. It previews an upcoming Mopar kit for the Compass and is one of four Mopar projects celebrating the parts division's 75th anniversary that will be on display at the Chicago auto show. To get a Trail Rated Compass, you have to start with an all-wheel-drive model and add the new-for-2011 Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group, which includes low-range gearing, skid plates, tow hooks, and a one-inch suspension lift. In a recent review, we described this package as "less a compliment to the Compass and more as a slight to Jeep's Trail Rated claim." The True North ups the ante in this area considerably with a full off-road conversion from the wheels up. Mopar fitted matte-black 16-inch wheels wrapped in knobby off-road rubber, a Rocky Road Suspensions two-inch lift kit, front and rear brush guards, and rock rails. Besides the off-road gear, the Compass's looks are beefed up with charcoal-colored fender flares and lower door cladding, black grille and headlight surrounds, black fog-light housings, and a matte-black roof. The look is decidedly tougher and, more importantly, this Compass actually looks like it would be at home bouncing along the Rubicon Trail. Inside, the Compass True North gets a Kicker audio system and a bevy of Mopar accessories like doorsill accents, a rear cargo tray, a shift knob, and a metal pedal kit. Trail-friendly stuff like neoprene seat covers and a custom gauge cluster on the center stack with an inclinometer further the Compass True North's off-road cred. The True North bits will be available as either a dealer-installed kit or individually through the Mopar parts catalog this fall; a turnkey, factory-orderable version will come later. We will now remind those looking for a true off-roader that the Jeep Wrangler still exists, needs no modifications for trail duty, and is now better than ever on-road, too. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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