The most seriously American brand in the Stellantis portfolio, Jeep has become a symbol of cross-continental collaboration, linking the automotive powerhouses of Detroit and Turin in a unique design partnership. This is why Ralph Gilles, Stellantis Chief Design Officer for North America, describes the new Jeep Compass as an \u201cItalian story\u201d. \u201cThe Compass is a global model, but its success in Europe has been astonishing. So it made perfect sense to entrust the entire third generation project to Daniele’s team. It had to be designed on a European platform, something they know all about and which they could leverage to the full.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Jeep](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025070402_JeepCompass.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Global competition<\/strong><\/span> The package as a starting point<\/strong><\/span> Form and function connected to the brand’s DNA<\/strong><\/span>
\nDaniele is Daniele Calonaci, head of Jeep Design for Europe, and the platform the new model is based on is the STLA Medium. As always, Gilles points out, \u201cin the initial sketching phase, global competition raged between our design centres. The team in Italy won the assignment with a design that makes the Compass more evolved and mature, ushering in a whole new design language for Jeep\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nThis design overhaul began with a global survey aimed at gathering feedback from customers, a category to which Calonaci \u2013 a great Jeep enthusiast who drives a Wrangler every day and goes off-roading with his family in his spare time \u2013 belongs in his own right. \u201cEveryone asked us first and foremost for more space on board, so we obviously started with the proportions\u201d, explains the Italian designer. \u201cGiven the new platform, we extended the wheelbase by 159 millimetres, while the overall length has grown by just 144 mm, keeping the overhangs to a minimum to preserve the off-road capabilities expected of any true Jeep. We have thus responded to our customers’ requests for more legroom, shoulder room and boot space, as well as storage compartments at the front that have increased from 14 to 34 litres.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nThe \u201c7-slot\u201d grille, instantly recognisable as a Jeep signature, has added functionality to its purely identity role. In the name of aerodynamic efficiency, the seven slots are actually closed off: \u201cOur design remains true to the brand’s DNA, not just in form but in function as well. We have inserted cameras, radars and lightining so that they are higher and more protected than the position originally provided by the platform, given the vehicle’s multiple uses. We must never forget our famous capability\u201d, Calonaci points out.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>