New Jeep Patriot Production Photos

From Edmunds.com (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=109913#20):

http://jeeppatriot.com/images/misc/prod_1.jpg

http://jeeppatriot.com/images/misc/prod_2.jpg

More pics located HERE (http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18)


• Jeep Patriot
Sharing the platform that underpins the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass, the new Patriot is the smallest Jeep (103.7-inch wheelbase) suitable for genuine rock-hoppers. Unlike its street-oriented siblings, the Patriot is available with Jeep's full "Trail Rated" rating and a full complement of off-road gear.

Power comes from a 172-hp, 2.4-liter version of Chrysler's new world engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the non-trail-rated front-wheel-drive model. Two trail-rated configurations utilize a full-time all-wheel-drive system with a continuously variable transmission. One is of the standard all-wheel-drive variety, while the other offers a 19-to-1 gear reduction "low" range.

Everything you expect to find on a Jeep scraping over boulders and slogging through mud is on the Patriot — skid plates, extra sealing (to enable water fording as deep as 19 inches) and extra-durable interior materials you can clean with a hose. Features such as side airbags, MP3 player input jack and flexible interior seating configurations round out the Patriot's long list of standard features.

I was doing some research on a CVT transmission and came across this website comparing the transmissions between different companies:

http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_help/html/Diagnosis/Reference/CVT_Transmissions.htm

I love the idea, and it seems to me that the the ride would be smoother and quieter. This also seems more fuel efficient.

Do any of you drive or have driven a car with any CVT transmission? Is the drive smoother and quieter than a traditional transmission? Have you found any problems with it?

Thanks

These production photos look much better than the Frankfurt concept. Although the changes are minimal (roof rack) it looks so much more refined and Jeep like in my eyes. I can't wait to see the New York pics!

I was doing some research on a CVT transmission and came across this website comparing the transmissions between different companies:

http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_help/html/Diagnosis/Reference/CVT_Transmissions.htm

I love the idea, and it seems to me that the the ride would be smoother and quieter. This also seems more fuel efficient.

Do any of you drive or have driven a car with any CVT transmission? Is the drive smoother and quieter than a traditional transmission? Have you found any problems with it?

Thanks

If you have ever driven a snowmobile you have probably experienced a CVT. Some lawn tractors use them as do some motor scooters. I have driven scooters with them and they seemed boring and mushy. I would hope that a TR vehicle would come with a choice of manual or whatever automatic. Most off road people I know like to decide about shifting for themselves and with a CVT that don't fly! And autostick is a joke. I have one. From the preliminary info it sounds like the 4x4 is a CVT in all forms just like the Caliber? I hope not! We need some choices here!

Some automotive application CVT's offer a set of predetermined 'gears' in addition to the 'automatic' functionality of Continuously Variable Transmissions. Basically, the CVT sheaves/pulleys are 'locked' at specific positions creating a constant gear reduction ratio, aka 'gear'. Combine several of these 'gear' positions together and you have something very similar to a traditional automatic that you can shift through the gears. Unfortunately, the control systems used to allow for 'manual' shifting in a CVT will more than likely have the inherent shifting safety programs one would expect, aka - autostick shifting override, etc.

However, in order to take full advantage of the benefits of the CVT, one should let it do its job and continually change and adapt the gear ratio to the conditions at hand.

I guess if the Patriot has "extra-durable interior materials you can clean with a hose," they can't help but make it look cheap, which is what it seems a lot of bloggers have been saying (comparing the Patriot interior to the Caliber). But spartan is not necessarily a bad thing, at least for me -- especially if the car can be cleaned out easily. Of course the final price of the Patriot is supposed to be a smaller dollar amount than the Compass -- let's just where that is exactly.

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2006/04/jeeps-2007-patriot-5door-wrangler.html

http://thehollywoodextra.blogspot.com/2006/04/jeep-patriot-interior.html

I have seen very few "value" cars (i.e. one that's affordable by most everyone) that actually have an interior that's not plastic based. But I will admit that it looks a helluva lot better than the fake wood grained stuff they put in the newer Grand Cherokee.

As for the pricing between Patriot and Compass. Based on what I have seen, it seems as if the Patriot has more options since it's trail rated. So I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Trail Rated upgrades will make the effective price of the Patriot higher.

On a side note, I really like the look of the new 4-door Wrangler. I wonder how the storage space of it compares to the old 2-door Unlimited. I actually think I am leaning more towards the new Wrangler over the Patriot. Although it'll probably be a decent amount more expensive than the Patriot.

Hey guys!

Jeep has just updated their site with info on the Wrangler Unlimited and Patriot!!!!

With the Patriot trail rated version having "low" range capability, will it be able to attend Camp Jeep or one of the Jeep Jamborees, which require "4-Lo" gearing?

Nice shots and some more info on the Patriot here:
http://www.cars.com/go/features/autoshows/vehicle.jsp?autoshow=&vehicletype=production&autoshowyear=2006&vehicle=production_jeep_patriot

With the Patriot trail rated version having "low" range capability, will it be able to attend Camp Jeep or one of the Jeep Jamborees, which require "4-Lo" gearing?

If it is truly 'trail rated' (as in can make it stock thru the Rubicon), than there is't anything they will do at a Jamboree which will surpass that!