Jeep Patriot

Jeep Patriot

Manufacturer	DaimlerChrysler (2006) Chrysler LLC (2007-present)
Also called	Jeep Liberty (in Russia)
Production	2006 — present
Model years	2007 — present
Assembly	Belvidere, Illinois, United States
Class	Compact Crossover SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler PM/MK platform
Engine	2.4 L (144 cid) GEMA I4 2.0 L (122 cid) GEMA I4 2.0 L (120 cid) diesel I4 (Europe and Australia only) 2.2 L diesel I4 (Europe and Australia only)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual(EU) CVT
Wheelbase	103.7 in (2,634 mm)
Length	173.6 in (4,409 mm)
Width	69.1 in (1,755 mm)
Height	2007–09: 64.4 in (1,636 mm) 2010–present: 65.7 in (1,669 mm)
Related	Mitsubishi Lancer Jeep Compass Dodge Caliber Mitsubishi Outlander Chrysler Sebring Dodge Avenger Chrysler Sebring (convertible)

The Jeep Patriot (MK74) is a compact crossover SUV introduced in early 2007 for the 2007 model year by the Jeep marque of Chrysler. It debuted publicly in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show and slots between the Compass and Liberty in the Jeep lineup. Market-wise, it is the least-expensive SUV in North America and one of the lowest priced SUV-standard crossovers up to date.

Design

Jeep Patriot

2009 Jeep Patriot base model

The Compass and Patriot 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 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 2.0 L or 2.4 L GEMA gasoline I4 engine In the U.S. 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 mph (40 km/h) and 65 mph (105 km/h) for optimal handling. The 2.0 L GEMA I4 is an option for the 4X2 model Patriot.

For Europe and Australia a 2.0 L (1968 cc; 120 cid; 140ps) Volkswagen-manufactured diesel engine is fitted along with a 6-speed manual gearbox. All EU cars are fitted as standard with four wheel drive and a version of the Freedom Drive System which tuned differently from the U.S. versions, but with similar capability to FDII with brake traction control and three switchable electronic stability control and traction control settings for on or off-road use.

The Patriot won 2007 Green 4x4 Award and the 2008 4x4 of the Year in the UK.

Off-roading capabilities

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 off-road-capable vehicles in its class, in part to the presence of the off-road Brake Lock Differential (BLD). This allows the vehicle to maintain forward motion if one or two wheels lose traction by selectively and aggressively applying brakes to the spinning wheels. This is an improvement over a conventional AWD system; a vehicle intended for on-road use with open differentials only would be stranded if there was a loss of traction in one front and one rear wheel at the same time. The BLD is also standard in The Freedom Drive I, although it is less aggressive than the BLD found in Freedom Drive II Patriots. options.

Model	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
Sport	2.4 L GEMA I4	172 hp (128 kW)	165 lb·ft (224 N·m)	5-speed manual
Limited				CVT

Electric version

At the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Jeep Patriot was added to Chrysler's ENVI lineup. As with the previously announced Jeep Wrangler EV, the Jeep Patriot EV is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV, also called a plug-in hybrid vehicle), capable of traveling 40 miles (64 km) solely on battery power and up to 400 miles (640 km) on a single tank of gas.

However, Chrysler's new partner Fiat SpA disbanded the ENVI division in November 2009, and removed the three ENVI models from its 5-year plan for Chrysler. There have been no announced plans to continue with the electric version.

2011

2011 Jeep Patriot 2.2 CRD Limited (Germany)

The Patriot receives minor upgrades for 2011. Outside, the Patriot sports minor styling tweaks while the interior receives upgrades as well. Three trims will be offered in the US: Sport, Latitude, and Latitude X.

In the EU, four trims are offered: Sport, Sport Plus, Limited, and an Overland version. In the EU market, the 2.0 L Volkswagen PD Diesel Engine has been replaced by a 2.2 L Mercedes-Benz Twin-Cam Common Rail Diesel engine delivering 163 hp (122 kW).

Sales

Calendar Year	United States	Canada	Total
2007	40,434
2008	55,654
2009	31,432
2010	38,620	10,753	49,373
2011	54,647

Future production

In a press conference on November 4, 2009, Chrysler LLC, now under Fiat ownership, announced that both the Patriot and Compass would get modifications for 2010, but will be discontinued by 2012, to be replaced by a single Fiat-based model. As of February 2012 neither model has been discontinued and both models were refreshed in 2011.

External links

• Official site
• Jeep Patriot Debut at Geneva Motor Show
• Jeep Patriot Review Off Road Test
• Technical description of the Freedom Drive 4WD system