September 20, 2010
, Auburn Hills, Mich.
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The new 2011 Jeep® Patriot, the affordable compact sport-utility
vehicle (SUV), offers consumers segment-leading capability and
unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy along with new aggressive exterior styling,
new interior features and improved ride-and-handling characteristics.
Jeep Patriot's classic exterior styling and capability are enhanced for
2011 with new front and rear fascias, a body-color grille, and an
increased 4x4 ride height. Ride-and-handling is refined courtesy of
retuned steering and suspension systems. Interior enhancements round out
the new-for-2011 features, and include significantly upgraded touch
points.
"Patriot boasts class-leading 4x4 capability and unsurpassed fuel
economy, and a host of safety features in a fun and affordable package -
a combination that only Jeep can offer," said Mike Manley, President
and CEO - Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "For 2011, Jeep Patriot is
even more appealing to consumers, thanks to rugged new exterior styling,
interior enhancements and refinements to the suspension and steering
systems."
Jeep Patriot combines the packaging and interior flexibility of an SUV
with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car.
Many standard safety features, such as side-curtain air bags and
electronic stability program (ESC), add to Jeep Patriot's tremendous
value.
Design
The Jeep Patriot is unmistakably a Jeep, designed to appeal to compact
SUV buyers who want traditional Jeep styling with best-in-class off-road
capability at an affordable price.
"Simple yet distinctive geometric forms, timeless proportions and
exterior design enhancements for 2011 complement Jeep Patriot's rugged
off-road capabilities," said Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design.
Jeep Patriot is built for maximum cargo volume, rugged driving conditions and excellent utility.
Patriot's face is classic Jeep, featuring an updated, modern version of
brand's signature seven-slot grille with a new rugged mesh texture, a
robust bumper and round headlamps. New front and rear fascia designs
enhance the classic Jeep trapezoidal wheel arches. The new aggressive
front fascia features a body-color grille as well as a skid plate that
surrounds the new, inboard-mounted fog lamps. The new rear fascia
extends lower than on previous models and features a chrome-tipped
exhaust on the Latitude X model.
Classic Jeep design cues include new 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, with an upright backlight and a bold bumper,
further illustrate Jeep Patriot's interior spaciousness and adds to its
rugged appearance and capability. Four doors and a rear liftgate provide
easy access to Jeep Patriot's spacious and functional interior.
Interior upgrades for the 2011 Jeep Patriot include new soft touch
front-door trim panels with a padded upper surface; new center armrest; a
new Jeep steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver
to operate the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone and other vehicle
functions while keeping their hands on the wheel; new cloth interior
with premium cloth bucket seats in the front; standard speed control on
all models; new backlighting of door switches, door locks, windows and
power mirror controls and standard automatic temperature control on the
Latitude X model. Interior color options for the 2011 Jeep Patriot are
Dark Slate Gray or Dark Slate Gray with Light Pebble Beige.
The 2011 Jeep Patriot is available in the following exterior colors:
Natural Green Metallic Clear Coat, Dark Charcoal Pearl Coat, Blackberry
Pearl Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat,
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl
Coat (late availability).
Segment-leading Capability
The 2011 Jeep Patriot offers customers segment-leading capability with
features such as low-range mode which generates a best-in-class 19:1
crawl ratio, brake traction control, 19-inch water fording capability,
Hill-descent Control, 4x4 Lock shift-on-the-fly which sends 50 percent
of torque to front and rear wheels, and a maximum tow rating of 2,000
lbs. The Jeep Patriot also boasts a retuned suspension for 2011, with
higher spring and damping rates, added rebound springs, and an increased
diameter of the rear sway bar. Despite these numerous capability
features, the 2011 Jeep Patriot boasts unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy in
its segment.
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 with
the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions. This
active four-wheel-drive system is recommended for daily use, including
slick conditions that come with rain and light snow. Freedom Drive I
also features a lockable center coupling, giving drivers the ability to
put the Jeep Patriot in four-wheel-drive lock mode to handle deep 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 4x4, 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 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, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and manual seat height
adjuster. The available Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is recommended
for moderate off-road situations that include steep grades, occasional
wheel lift and rock or log climbing.
This 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 ESC and off-road anti-lock brakes (ABS) also add to the
Patriot's off-road capability.
The Trail Rated Jeep Patriot 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.
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's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a
five-speed manual transaxle in 4x4 configuration delivers 22 miles per
gallon (mpg) in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
Also available on the 2011 Jeep Patriot Sport two-wheel-drive model is a
2.0-liter World Engine that provides 158 horsepower (117 kW) and 141
lb.-ft. (191 N?m) of torque coupled with the Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT2), and delivers 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the
highway.
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 2010 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick,
the Jeep Patriot for 2011 is loaded with more than 30 standard safety
and security features, thoughtful functionality and best-in-class
off-road capability with Freedom Drive II, offering tremendous value for
consumers that desire an SUV to accommodate their active lifestyle at
an affordable price.
Jeep Patriot Model Lineup
The 2011 Jeep Patriot is available in three configurations: Sport,
Latitude and Latitude X. All are available 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.
Built at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Ill., the new 2011
Jeep Patriot models arrive in Jeep showrooms in the fourth quarter of
2010.
