This is the kind of sub-$20k SUV we expect from Jeep, rather than the Compass
that’s barely trail rated to cross the street let alone a rocky fjord. The Patriot, however, will share much of its mechanicals with
the Compass, including the 2.4L World Engine four-cylinder that produces 172 hp and 165 ft-lbs. of torque and your
choice of either a standard five-speed or CVT transmission. The Patriot can be had in mild mannered FWD trim or with
two other more capable off-road packages that do a passable job of impersonating a real Jeep.
The first is
called Freedom Drive I and features available full-time, active four-wheel drive with a trick Lock mode that acts like
full-time four-wheel drive. The Freedome Drive II package jacks the Patriot up an inch and comes with a second-gen CVT
that’s got a “low range” mode, skid plates, tow hooks, a full-size spare and such electronic
off-road nannies as Hill-Descent Control, Off-Road Brake Traction Control and ESP.
The Patriot will go on
sale in the third quarter of 2006 and will be built by the prodigal
employees of the Belvidere assembly plant.
There’s lots more details on the Patriot in
Jeep’s full press release after the jump, as well as a full gallery of pics.
[Source: Jeep]
All-new 2007 Jeep® Patriot Delivers Traditional Jeep Styling, Best-in-class Capability
. All-new Jeep® technology gives Patriot more capability than any other
vehicle in its class, providing confidence in all driving conditions
. Patriot introduces
rugged, classic Jeep styling at an affordable, entry-level price
. Jeep Patriot’s
interior features utility, flexibility and many cool innovations
. Value abounds with
excellent fuel economy and a long list of standard safety features
Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 9, 2006
–
The Jeep® brand continues its expansion into untraveled territory with the 2007 Jeep Patriot. This
all-new compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) delivers fun, freedom, utility and best-in-class Jeep 4×4 capability, as
well as a new entry-level price point for the Jeep brand.
Based on the Jeep Patriot concept first
introduced at the 2005 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, the 2007 Jeep Patriot is a modern interpretation of
traditional Jeep styling. Jeep Patriot combines the packaging and interior flexibility of an SUV with the performance,
handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car or small pickup. Safety features, such as standard side-curtain air
bags and standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), add to Jeep Patriot’s tremendous value.
All-new
Jeep technology gives Patriot more capability than any other vehicle in its class. Jeep Patriot will be available in the
United States and Canada in three drive configurations: front-wheel drive, Freedom Drive I™ (a full-time, active
four-wheel-drive system with Lock mode) and Freedom Drive II™ Off-Road Package (a full-time, active
four-wheel-drive system with low range that provides true Jeep 4×4 Trail Rated capability).
“The
Trail Rated Jeep® Patriot will be the most capable 4×4 in the compact SUV segment,” said George Murphy,
Senior Vice President — Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Jeep Patriot’s capability,
combined with its classic Jeep design, interior flexibility and terrific fuel efficiency, will attract new buyers to
the Jeep brand.”
The 2007 Jeep Patriot and Jeep Patriot Limited models will be available in U.S.
dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2006 and in global volume markets in both left- and right-hand drive starting in
the first half of 2007.
Most Capable Vehicle in its Class
Jeep Patriot is available in three drivetrain configurations. In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive system,
Jeep Patriot also is available with Freedom Drive I and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package.
Freedom
Drive I is an available full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with Lock mode designed to give drivers year-round
assurance, as well as the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions. This active four-wheel-drive
system is recommended for daily use, including driving in snow and rain. Freedom Drive I features a lockable center
coupling, giving drivers the ability to put the Jeep Patriot in four-wheel-drive Lock mode to handle deeper snow, sand
and other low-traction surfaces.
The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is an available four-wheel-drive
system that makes the Jeep Patriot a Trail Rated 4×4, creating the most capable vehicle in the crowded compact SUV
class. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package includes a second-generation continuously variable transaxle with a low
range (CVT2L) that engages when the off-road mode is activated, 17-inch all-terrain tires and aluminum wheels, a
full-size spare tire, air-filtration system, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and seat height adjuster. The available
Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is recommended for true off-road situations that include steep grades, wheel lift and
rock or log climbing.
“The Jeep Patriot’s innovative Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package uses
all-new Jeep 4×4 technology to achieve Trail Rated capability,” said Larry Lyons, Vice
President — Front-Wheel-Drive Product Team. “This four-wheel-drive technology, developed by Jeep
engineers, provides many of the benefits of a traditional transfer case without the additional weight.”
This all-new Jeep technology includes the CVT2L’s best-in-class 19:1 low ratio, which is ideal for crawling
over obstacles. Off-road Brake Traction Control maintains forward mobility during heavy articulation or on
split-friction surfaces where one wheel loses traction. Hill-Descent Control modulates brake hydraulic pressure without
driver intervention for downhill assistance at a safe and controlled rate of speed. Three-mode ESP and off-road
anti-lock brakes (ABS) also add to the Patriot’s off-road capability.
The Trail Rated Jeep Patriot
sits 1 inch higher than non-Trail Rated versions and meets Jeep off-road capability requirements for traction, water
fording, articulation, maneuverability and ground clearance, including 9 inches of ground clearance, a 29-degree
approach angle, a 33-degree departure angle and a 23-degree breakover angle. This version of the Patriot also has
additional body sealing and high-mounted drivetrain vents to support 19-inch water fording capability. In fact, the
Jeep Patriot’s body and chassis were developed and tested over numerous rugged off-road terrains to meet the
requirements of the enthusiast Jeep customer.
“From its approach and departure angles to every
sealant and chassis component in between, Jeep Patriot is engineered to be the most capable vehicle in its
class,” added Matt Liddane, Chief Engineer — Jeep Patriot. “Whether climbing rocks, stair
steps, logs or steep grades, Jeep Patriot drivers will have the confidence of knowing they’re in a Jeep
4×4.”
All Jeep Patriot models available in the United States and Canada include standard Brake
Traction Control, driver-controlled three-mode ESP, Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation and anti-lock brakes with
rough-road detection. Patriot’s standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes provide a competitive 60–0 mph
stopping distance of 134 feet on dry pavement.
A Modern Interpretation of
Classic Jeep Styling
Strong and capable, Patriot is unmistakably Jeep, designed to appeal to compact SUV
buyers who want traditional Jeep styling with best-in-class off-road capability. Jeep Patriot is rugged, exuding the
brand’s key attributes of mastery, authenticity, freedom and adventure, while also offering excellent fuel
economy, interior flexibility and utility at a great value.
“Simple yet distinctive geometric forms
and planar surfaces define Jeep Patriot’s timeless proportions” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice
President — Design. “Combined, these features give Jeep Patriot its robust, strong, capable
off-road image.”
Jeep Patriot is built for maximum cargo volume, rugged driving conditions and
excellent utility. Patriot’s face is classic Jeep, featuring the brand’s signature seven-slot grille, a
robust bumper and round headlamps.
A stiffer windshield and upright backlight combine to create
Patriot’s easily identifiable side view. Classic Jeep design cues include available 17-inch aluminum wheels and
all-terrain tires housed inside signature Jeep trapezoidal wheel openings. Jeep Patriot’s high beltline completes
the vehicle’s protective side profile.
The rear of the vehicle features an upright backlight and a
bold bumper that further illustrate the Jeep Patriot’s interior spaciousness and add to its rugged appearance and
capability. Four doors and a rear liftgate provide easy access to Jeep Patriot’s spacious and functional
interior.
Jeep Utility From the Inside and Out
Jeep Patriot’s flexible interior gives buyers
the capability to do more in terms of seating friends and storing gear. A command-of-the-road seating position gives
drivers an added feeling of control. Jeep Patriot has 39.6 inches of rear seat leg room, 54.2 cubic feet of cargo space
with the rear seats folded flat and 62.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the front passenger seat back and rear seats
folded flat, giving plenty of room for an 8-foot ladder, skis or two-by-fours from the lumber yard.
In
addition to interior spaciousness and flexibility, Jeep Patriot has many clever and unique available interior features
that add functionality not typically found in a compact SUV, including:
. Standard
side-curtain air bags
. Available nine-speaker Boston Acoustics Premium Sound Group that
includes two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate; when the liftgate is open, the speakers swing down to face
rearward for tailgating and other activities
. Auxiliary audio input jack for MP3
connectivity on standard radio
. Available dual purpose, self-recharging removable cargo
lamp, which is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight
. A sliding center armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The
armrest lid includes a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player
.
Available 115-volt outlet in the center console that powers small electronics
. Available
fold-flat front passenger seat that creates a table-like surface for versatility
.
Standard 60/40 rear seats that fold flat and have an available recline feature
. Ultra
Floor™ — a washable and removable vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area with a 250-lb. load capacity
. YES Essentials™ Fabric —a n easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial
textile that protects seats from stains, odors and discoloration
. Available Navigation
System
World-class Engineering
The 2007 Jeep Patriot’s
powertrain is designed to deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and refinement, all at an affordable,
entry-level price.
Patriot features a standard 2.4-liter World Engine that produces 172-horsepower and 165
lb.-ft. of torque. This 2.4-liter World Engine has dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust
camshafts, which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds and produces more power, better fuel economy and
smoother, quieter operation than engines without dual VVT. Dual VVT is a technology typically not available on vehicles
sold in the United States in the Jeep Patriot’s price class.
Jeep Patriot also features a standard
five-speed manual transaxle and an available CVT. The Patriot’s CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler
Group engineers calibrated for pleasing engine response and precise ratio control. CVT2 contributes to a fuel economy
improvement of 6–8 percent compared with a traditional four-speed automatic. Patriot’s CVT2 also improves
vehicle performance compared with a traditional automatic transaxle because of optimized gear ratios, especially in the
30–60 mph range during passing maneuvers.
A 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine, paired with a six-speed
manual transaxle, will be available for Jeep Patriot in key diesel markets outside North America.
Conquering New Territory
Jeep Patriot will compete in the compact SUV segment,
which is expected to almost triple in the next 10 years, giving the Jeep brand the opportunity to grow with it. Annual
compact SUV volume in the United States for the 2004 calendar year was 297,000 units or 1.7 percent of the market. The
compact SUV segment is expected to nearly double to 568,000 units by 2010, and triple to 814,000 units by 2016.
With the all-new Jeep Patriot, Jeep in the United States is targeting single and married educated professionals in
their early 20s to early 40s who earn a median income of $65,000. Fifty-five percent have a college education. These
upwardly mobile Patriot buyers are confident, independent, rugged individuals who enjoy the outdoors. Safety and
security and the confidence that come with Jeep 4×4 capability rank high on their priorities. They like the Jeep brand
and want a vehicle that is unique, and with its one-of-a-kind traditional Jeep styling and best-in-class off-road
capability, Patriot is designed and engineered to meet their needs.
Jeep
Patriot Model Line-up
The newest Jeep will be available in both Patriot and Patriot Limited models. Both
are available in the United States and Canada with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time, active 4×4 system
and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package full-time, active 4×4 system with low-range capability.
The Jeep
Patriot includes a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle. Other
standard equipment includes: standard side-curtain air bags, ESP, Brake Traction Control, electronic roll mitigation,
anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, Sentry Key theft-deterrent system, Vinyl Tech seats, rear 60/40 fold-flat seats, an
Ultra Floor vinyl load floor, AM/FM single-disc CD radio with an auxiliary audio input jack, outdoor temperature
display, 12-volt power outlet, manual windows, locks and foldaway mirrors, tilt steering wheel, dome and cargo lights,
rear window defroster and a center console sliding armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers.
The armrest lid features a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player. On the exterior, the Jeep
Patriot features a standard body-color grille and fascias, accent-color bodyside molding, black door handles,
accent-color liftgate appliqué, black side roof rails, 16-inch styled steel wheels and all-season tires.
Optional features on Jeep Patriot include four-wheel-drive capability through either the Freedom Drive I or
the Freedom Drive II 4×4 system, a second-generation CVT2, seat-mounted side air bags, flexible 60/40 rear seats that
both fold flat and recline, fold-flat passenger seat, premium cloth low-back bucket seats with YES Essentials Fabric,
air conditioning, power windows, including driver one-touch down feature, speed-sensitive power locks, power foldaway
mirrors, Remote Keyless Entry, engine block heater, 115-volt outlet in the center console, a removable/rechargeable
interior cargo lamp, map lights, passenger assist handles and illuminated entry, speed control, AM/FM radio with
six-disc CD player and MP3 CD play capability, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, UConnect™ hands-free communication system,
deep-tinted sunscreen glass, trailer tow prep package, Off-Road Group (which includes CVT2 with low range, 17-inch
all-terrain OWL tires and aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, air-filtration system, skid plates with tow hooks,
fog lamps and seat height adjuster), a Security Group (which includes a soft tonneau cover, security alarm and daytime
running lamps) and a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics Premium Sound Group (which features two articulating speakers
packaged in the liftgate; when the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward
for tailgating and other activities).
The Jeep Patriot Limited features a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter
World Engine coupled with a standard five-speed manual transaxle, an optional CVT2 or an optional CVT2L.
In
addition to the standard equipment on the Jeep Patriot model, the Limited model features standard air conditioning,
power windows with driver one-touch down feature, speed-sensitive power locks, Remote Keyless Entry, power fold-away
mirrors, deep-tinted sunscreen glass, all-season floor mats, a standard fold-flat, reclining rear seat, fold-flat front
passenger seat, driver height adjuster, passenger assist handles, 115-volt auxiliary power outlet,
removable/rechargeable cargo lamp, speed control, premium cloth low-back bucket seats with YES Essentials fabric, fog
lamps, rear-view automatic dimming mirrors, temperature and compass gauge, universal garage door opener and tire
pressure monitoring system. On the exterior, the Jeep Patriot Limited model has body-color fascias with bright silver
appliqués, body-color bodyside moldings, 17-inch aluminum wheels and all-season touring tires.
Beyond the options offered on the Jeep Patriot, additional options on the Limited model include 17-inch wheels and
all-terrain tires, a power express open/close sunroof, heated cloth seats and a Leather Interior Group (which includes
leather-trimmed bucket seats, manual lumbar adjuster, carpeted front and rear floor mats, heated front seats and
leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls).
Full model details and specifications for markets outside
the United States will be confirmed ahead of the vehicle’s introduction in each respective market.
All 2007 Jeep Patriot models will be available in Jeep Green Metallic Clear Coat, Light Khaki Metallic Clear Coat,
Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Marine Blue Pearl Coat, Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear
Coat, Black Clear Coat and Stone White Clear Coat.
All models feature a two-tone interior color theme of dark and
light shades of Pastel Slate Gray or Pastel Pebble Beige.
2007 Jeep Patriot Production
Production of
the 2007 Jeep Patriot begins in the third quarter of 2006 at the newly refurbished Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant. The
new 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine that powers the Patriot is built in the state-of-the-art Global Engine
Manufacturing Alliance Assembly (GEMA) assembly plant in Dundee, Mich.