Geneva show: Jeep’s baby Renegade in the wild

JEEP’S newest downsized SUV has slipped ont o the internet ahead of its official unveiling at this week’s Geneva motor show.

The series of images, posted on US motoring blog Jalopnik, show a boxy compact design that maximises interior space, framed at the front by the Patriot-style Jeep seven-slot grille set to either side with round headlights.

Rather than give the impression the new compact Jeep is made for the city, the Renegade, sits high off the ground with decent front and rear clearances.

It also wears the Trailhawk logo just under the windscreen pillar, suggesting that this version of the new small SUV comes trail-rated for off-road adventure, despite its lary alloy wheels.

The new off-roader is believed to share its origins with the Fiat 500, the European small car that has become part of the newly merged Fiat Chrysler Automobiles after Fiat’s buy-out of the US car-maker.

Details are scant ahead of the car’s official launch, but when it goes on sale in Australia the off-road version of the Renegade is likely to top out around $40,000.

Front-wheel drive variants that are likely to compete against the likes of the Kia Soul and the Nissan Juke, and can be expected to sit well below $30,000.