2007 Jeep Patriot
Jeep took the wraps off Patriot at the 2006 New York Auto Show. An all-new compact sport-utility vehicle, Patriot has a wheelbase of 103.7 inches, pitting it squarely against best-selling competition like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. It should arrive in dealerships in the fall of 2006 at a price point below $16,000, making it Jeep's least-expensive offering.
Though the Patriot is a new vehicle for Jeep, its exterior styling and 4-door wagon body style are reminiscent of the Jeep Cherokee from the 1990s. Patriot shares engines and chassis with the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber and will be built at Chrysler's Belvidere, Illinois, manufacturing facility.
All Patriot models come with front bucket seats and a 3-passenger second-row bench seat. Initially, two models will be offered: Patriot and Patriot Limited. Both have a 172-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that mates to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic transmission. Three drive systems are available: front-drive with traction control, all-wheel drive with locking center differential, or all-wheel drive with low range.
Jeep calls the AWD with low range "Freedom Drive II." It comes as part of an off-road package that adds 17-inch all-terrain tires, full-size spare, air-filtration system, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps, and seat-height adjuster. Available on Freedom Drive II vehicles is off-road brake traction control and hill-descent control.
Antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, and curtain side airbags are standard. Front-seat side airbags are optional. Unique features include pop-down speakers attached to the rear liftgate, auxiliary jack on the audio system for mp3 players, sliding center armrest, 115-volt power outlet, fold-flat passenger seat, navigation system, and "ultra floor," a washable and removable vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area.
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2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
At the '06 New York Auto Show, Jeep unveiled the first-ever four-door Wrangler. It's also the first Wrangler to offer 5-passenger seating capacity. This comes hot on the heels of the all-new '07 Wrangler introduction at the 2006 Detroit auto show.
The Unlimited version of this venerable 4x4 rides on a 116-inch wheelbase, which is 20 inches longer than the 2007 Wrangler's. With best-in-class ground clearance, available locking Dana front and rear axles, and electronic-disconnecting front sway bar, the '07 Wrangler is once again one of the most off-road capable compact SUVs and competes with the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Jeep's own Liberty.
Like the new '07 Wrangler, unlimited features an all-new instrument panel, high-back front bucket seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. Three models will be offered: X, Sahara, and Rubicon. X and Sahara come with 2- or 4-wheel drive; Rubicon comes only with 4-wheel drive. The new rear doors feature exposed forged hinges and open a full 90 degrees.
Sole engine is a 205-hp 3.8-liter V6. Compared to last-year's 4.0-liter inline-six, this new engine adds 15 hp. Standard is a 6-speed manual transmission; optional a 5-speed automatic. Jeep claims that the frame is 100 percent stiffer, and, when properly equipped, Wrangler Unlimited can tow up to 3500 pounds. Front and rear live axles remain, but the 5-link coil suspension has been revised.
Four-wheel-drive Sahara models come with Command-Trac. It includes a two-speed transfer case and optional Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential. Rubicon features Rock-Trac that includes a 2-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio, electric front- and rear-axle lockers, active sway bar system, and 32-inch B.F. Goodrich off-road tires. Also included on Rubicon are a Dana 30 front axle, Dana 44 rear axle, and three skid plates protecting the fuel tank, transfer case and automatic transmission.
Unlimited features two different tops. Standard is the Sunrider soft top, which includes a sunroof feature as well as a full top-down option. When utilized as a sunroof, the forward portion of the soft top folds back, creating a 55x60-inch opening over the first- and second-row occupants. Optional is a 3-position modular hardtop. It features independently removable left and right panels over front-seat passengers that stow on-board and a removable rear roof section.
Preliminary standard equipment on Wrangler Unlimited includes stability control, electronic roll mitigation, and a lockable compartment in the cargo area. Optional are seat-mounted side airbags, 368-watt alpine audio system, and available navigation system. Wrangler Unlimited will be built in Chrysler Group's Toledo, Ohio, assembly plant. Prices weren't announced, but expect Unlimited to be priced just south of $30,000 when it hits dealerships in the fall of 2006.
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 2006 New York Auto Show |
