Jeep_patriot

Jeep Patriot
Manufacturer	DaimlerChrysler (2007) Chrysler LLC (2008-present)
Production	2007—present
Class	Compact SUV
Body style(s)	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Mitsubishi GS platform
Engine(s)	2.4 L GEMA I4 2.0 L diesel I4 (Europe and Australia only)
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 6-speed manual CVT
Wheelbase	103.7 in (2634 mm)
Length	173.6 in (4410 mm)
Width	69.1 in (1755 mm)
Height	64.4 in (1635 mm)
Related	Mitsubishi Lancer Jeep Compass Dodge Caliber Mitsubishi Outlander Chrysler Sebring Dodge Avenger Chrysler Sebring (convertible)

The Jeep Patriot (MK) is a compact SUV introduced in early 2007 for the 2007 model year by the Jeep marque of DaimlerChrysler. It debuted publicly in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show. It slots between the Liberty and Compass in the Jeep lineup with pricing starting from US$14,985, making it the least-expensive sport utility vehicle in North America.

The Patriot and Compass are both based on the DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi GS platform. These vehicles are differentiated by their styling and marketing: The Patriot is a traditional four-door Jeep wagon, similar to the Cherokee, which was discontinued in the U.S. in 2001, while the Jeep Compass is intended as a sporty crossover, but with more capacity to handle rough roads and poor weather than competitors like the Pontiac Vibe. The Dodge Caliber, also based on the GS platform, is a more direct competitor to the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, and is more like a small hatchback wagon than either of the Jeeps. The Patriot is manufactured at DaimlerChrysler\'s Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant alongside the Dodge Caliber and Compass.

The Patriot uses a four-cylinder 2.4 L GEMA gasoline engine and also has a 2.0 L Volkswagen-designed diesel engine for the European and Australian markets. The base car features front-wheel drive, but a choice of two electronically-controlled four-wheel drive systems is optional. One, the Freedom Drive I, is a full-time system for on-road use. Freedom Drive II is made for off-road use with variable torque between speeds of 25 and 65 mph for optimal handling.

Off-Roading Capabilities

The Patriot doesn\'t boast the same ability as its cousins, the Wrangler and the Cherokee. The Freedom Drive II-equipped Patriot uses a continuously variable transmission with a low range instead of a traditional two-speed transfer case, but has Jeep\'s "Trail Rated" badging, signifying that it "has been designed to perform in five categories of off-road conditions: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording." The Freedom Drive II Patriot is among the most offroad-capable vehicles in its class.

Trivia

• The Patriot is also the name of a vehicle in Rockstar Games\'s video game series Grand Theft Auto, although the car in these games bears more of a resemblance to the now discontinued Hummer H1.

• Russian car manufacturer UAZ also has a sport utility vehicle named "Patriot". Incidentally, the UAZ product line has roots in the original WWII-era Jeep that was supplied by US to USSR.

• Wesley Autrey, in honor of his heroic act on the New York City subway system, was awarded two Jeep Patriots -- one on each occasion -- on his television appearances. On January 9, 2007, he was awarded a Jeep Patriot, among other gifts, on an airing of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. On May 21, 2007, he was awarded another Jeep Patriot, after appearing as a contestant on Deal or No Deal.

References

• Trail Rated. Jeep.com. Retrieved on December 11, 2006.

External links

• Official site
• Jeep Patriot Debut at Geneva Motor Show
• Jeep Patriot Blog
• MoJeepin.com
• Jeep Patriot Info
• Official Press Release

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia