Those who were nonplussed with the wagony Compass's Trail un-Ratedness might be less so with Jeep's new Patriot compact SUV, which Chrysler and company will unveil at the New York auto show next week. The first images of the production Patriot hit the online today, seven months after the concept version rolled onto a lincoln-log stage at Camp Jeep outside the 2005 Frankfurt motor show. Like the Compass, The Patriot will come with Chrysler's corporate 2.4-liter world engine, standard five-speed manual transaxle and an available CVT. It'll also have a Trail Rated drive package that may serve to redeem Jeep's mojo. Read on after the jump.
The base production model will be front-wheel drive (seriously!), with two other drive configurations offered: Freedom Fries Drive I, a full-time, active four-wheel-drive system and Freedom Drive II, or full-time, active four-wheel-drive with low range (that's the Trail Rated one). The latter package comes with a continuously variable transaxle that includes low range (CVT2L) in "off-road mode," along with 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. More to come...
From the Press Release:
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 4x4 system and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package full-time, active 4x4 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 appliqu , 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 4x4 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 appliqu s, 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.
Related:
Frankfurt Premiere: Jeep Patriot and Compass Concepts [internal]