According to Autocar, Jeep CEO Mike Manley has confirmed that his company is working on a new B-segment SUV. At this year's Geneva Motor Show, Manley said that there's room in the small SUV market for an offering from Jeep, and that the vehicle should touch down in 2013.
If that's the case, odds are high that the company will turn to Fiat for the pint-sized SUV's bones. That may mean that Americans will finally be able to sink their teeth into the Grande Punto, even if the vehicle does wear significantly different sheet metal.
Jeep may also make use of Fiat drivetrains for the project. European buyers will likely be able to enjoy the Italian automaker's 1.3-liter and 1.6-liter diesel mills while Americans are more apt to see a 1.4-liter Multiair gasoline four-pot under the hood. All three of those lumps are typically associated with a front-wheel-drive transaxle, though Manley said that four-wheel drive will make an appearance on top-end models.