2011 Jeep® Patriot: Aggressive New Styling, Segment-leading Capability and Unsurpassed 4x4 Economy

 

The new 2011 Jeep® Patriot launches in New Zealand this month to fulfil it’s promise as the affordable compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV), offering consumers segment-leading capabilities and unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy along with new aggressive exterior styling, new interior features and improved ride-and-handling characteristics.
 
“Just as predicted, the world-class styling, fuel economy and performance improvements we were promised, are already exceeding our expectations – as each new model arrives in New Zealand, it becomes more and more apparent that Chrysler Group LLC has every intention to deliver on their commitment to continue the reinvention of the Jeep Vehicle line-up.” Says Todd Groves, Sime Darby Automobiles’ Divisional Manager for the Chrysler portfolio in New Zealand.
 
Jeep Patriot’s classic exterior styling is enhanced for 2011, with new front and rear fascias, a body colour grille and an increased 4x4 ride height. Ride-and-handling has also been refreshed courtesy of upgraded steering and suspension systems.
 
Interior enhancements round out the new-for-2011 features, and include significant touch point refinement.
 
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 features, such as side-curtain air bags and electronic stability programme (ESC), add to Jeep Patriot’s tremendous value within a fun and affordable package – a combination only Jeep can offer its customers.
 
At a Glance
• Rugged styling is enhanced for 2011 with new front and rear fascias, grille, cladding and increased 4x4 ride height
• Segment-leading off-road capability, unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy and interior versatility provide tremendous value
• Jeep® Patriot’s updated interior features refined materials and soft touch points 
• Upgraded steering and suspension systems improve overall ride and handling experience in all conditions.
 
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 the 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-colour grille. The new rear fascia extends lower than on previous models and features a chrome-tipped exhaust.
 
Classic Jeep design cues include newly available 17-inch aluminium wheels and all- terrain tyres 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 lift gate 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 centre armrest; a new Jeep steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, handsfree 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.
 
Interior colour options for the 2011 Patriot comes in Dark Slate Gray Racine Cloth, with stain repel for Patriot Sport or Dark Slate Gray Mckinley leather trim on Partiot Limited.
 
The 2011 Jeep Patriot is available in the following exterior colours: Brilliant Black, Natural Green, Dark Charcoal Pearl, Deep Cherry Red, Bright white and Bright Silver.
 
Segment-leading Capability
The 2011 Jeep Patriot offers customers segment-leading capability with features such as, 4x4 Lock shift-on-the-fly which sends 50 percent of torque to front and rear wheels, and a maximum tow rating of 1500kg. The Jeep Patriot also boasts an upgraded 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.
 
In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive system, both Jeep Patriot Sport and Limited are available with the Freedom DriveTM standard.
Freedom DriveTM is an unavailable 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 DriveTM also features a lockable centre 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 Trail rated Jeep Patriot meets Jeep off-road capability requirements for traction water fording, articulation, manoeuvrability and ground clearance, including 205mm of ground clearance, a 20-degree approach angle, a 28-degree departure angle and a 20-degree breakover angle. This version of the Patriot also has additional body sealing and high- mounted drivetrain vents to support 482mm 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 4x4 features a standard 2.4-Litre World Engine producing 125Kw of power @ 6,000 rpm and 220 Nm of torque @ 4,500 rpm. This 2.4-Litre DOHC 16V World Engine has dual variable valve timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts, which helps optimise 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 Jeep Patriot’s price class and delivers 8.7-Litres/100K combined urban and extra urban driving.
 
Patriot’s CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler Group engineers calibrated for pleasing engine response and precise radio control. CVT2 contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6-8 percent compared with a traditional four-speed automatic transaxle because of optimised gear ratios, especially in the 50-100 Kilometre range during passing manoeuvres.
As the 2010 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick, Jeep’s 2011 Patriot comes full loaded with more than 30 standard safety and security features, thoughtful functionality, offering tremendous value for customers that desire an SUV to accommodate their active lifestyle at an affordable price.
 
Jeep Patriot Model Line-up
The 2011 Jeep Patriot is available in two configurations: Sport and Limited. Both standard with the Freedom DriveTM full-time, active 4x4 system.
 
Built at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere. The new 2011 Patriot models are available in New Zealand’s Jeep showrooms May 2011.
 
Connectivity and Infotainment Features
Customers have an array of infotainment technologies for driver safety and passenger enjoyment. The features enable drivers to safely communicate, navigate and select entertainment options using advance voice recognition controls. Passengers can stay entertained with a multitude of features, including Bluetooth® streaming audio, Uconnect Phone and available Uconnect® Navigation
 
Manufacturing
The 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited are built in the Toledo Supplier Park in Toledo, Ohio.