Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, which has been designed with electrification at its core, will underpin the all-new Compass for India.
The next-generation of the Jeep Compass is currently under development and is coming to India in 2026. The upcoming SUV, codenamed J4U, will be based on parent company Stellantis’ STLA M platform, which is capable of accommodating a variety of top hats, and ICE and electric powertrtains. We had reported on all this 5 months ago, but a new nugget of information has surfaced – Jeep is expected to bring an all-electric Compass to India with the next generation.
- 2026 Jeep Compass to get electric option
- STLA Medium platform capable of front-wheel-drive and 4WD
- Battery sizes up to 98kWh, with over 700km of range
New Jeep Compass EV: battery, range, platform
The Stellantis STLA Medium platform was unveiled last year in July and has been designed with electrification at its core, though it is also flexible enough to accommodate petrol and diesel powertrains. This platform allows for front- and four-wheel drive vehicles to be made on it and can have battery packs up to 98kWh – Stellantis claims a Standard pack is rated at more than 500km while a Performance pack has a WLTP range of over 700km.
The STLA Medium uses a 400-Volt electric architecture that is said to consume less than 14kWh per 100km, and can be charged from 20-80 percent in 27 minutes, a rate of 2.4kWh per minute. In addition, electric motors that deliver between 218hp and 388hp can be utilised by this platform.
Along with the electric powertrain, the next-gen Jeep Compass is also expected to get turbo-petrol and diesel engine options, though which units will specifically arrive is yet to be confirmed.
Stellantis STLA platform for next-gen Citroens in India
Considering the STLA Medium platform is modular in nature – lengths and wheelbases can vary between 4.3-4.9m and 2.7-2.9m, respectively – and can underpin a wide variety of vehicles in the C- and D-segment, Jeep’s sister brand Citroen is also expected to use the platform to underpin its next-generation models. The current Compass range as well as Citroen’s C-cubed models (the C3 hatch, eC3 EV, C3 Aircross SUV and C3X sedan) will be the last ones to be based on their individual FCA and PSA architectures. From now on, all models from both brands will be based on the common STLA platform for greater synergies in India.
While the first model off the STLA Medium will be the next-gen Compass, the model that will follow the upcoming C3X to India (the high-riding sedan’s launch has been delayed) will be the first from the French brand to make use of this platform.
Fiat brand could make a comeback
Adding another brand that will use the same platform will further improve economies of scale, and perhaps, the brand that best suits the case is Fiat, which is a known nameplate in India. We had reported that with the STLA M platform, bringing back Fiat will only be an incremental investment for Stellantis from a manufacturing point of view.
Stellantis is understood to be evaluating the commercial viability of relaunching the Fiat brand in India and how it could be marketed differently. The Group currently has three plants in India – one in Hosur, one in Ranjangaon and one in Thiruvallur – so it remains to be seen how the company rationalises production for the upcoming STLA M vehicles.
Also see:
Stellantis reveals new STLA large EV platform
Stellantis to invest additional Rs 2,000 crore into Citroen India