2011 Jeep Patriot Revealed

Chrysler Shows off 2011 Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot seems to be catching on amongst all age groups. Sales have surged 57 percent in August, enough to push its year-to-date sales results to a 3 percent gain as compared to the first eight months of 2009.The 2011 Jeep Patriot has now been revealed and looks ready to build on its current momentum.

Many of the coming products from the Chrysler Group, are getting  a comprehensive refreshing for the new model year, including the 2011 Jeep Patriot, while still stopping short of a complete makeover. Enhancements to the Patriot include a revised exterior that's designed to add further traditional Jeep cues to the vehicle. Among these are a new front fascia showing a more aggressive look that's highlighted by standard fog lamps positioned within the Patriot's front facia, a fuller rear fascia, a body-color grille, an increased ride height on all-wheel-drive models and a fresh 17-inch wheel option.

On the inside, the 2011 Patriot highlights a significantly more upscale interior, with an increased range of soft-touch materials, a new center armrest, a new steering wheel with integrated audio/phone/vehicle controls, premium front bucket seats, and extensive use of backlighting for an added sense of sophistication. But that's not to say that the Patriot gives up any of its traditional Jeep ruggedness.

In fact, Jeep retuned the Patriot's suspension for 2011 specifically to improve its capabilities, raising its spring and damping rates, adding rebound springs and boosting the diameter of its rear sway bar. And that's on top of features like a low-range mode that turns up the best "crawl ratio" in the Patriot's class, at 19:1, along with the ability to ford water up to 19 inches deep, a top tow rating of 2,000 lbs., Jeep's Hill Descent Control system and a shift-on-the-fly 4X4 Lock that splits torque between front and rear wheels. Yet with all this functionality, the Patriot is still slated to get the best fuel economy in its segment.

"Patriot boasts class-leading 4x4 capability and unsurpassed fuel economy, and a host of safety features in a fun and affordable package-a combination that only Jeep can offer," said Mike Manley, Jeep's president and CEO. "For 2011, Jeep Patriot is even more appealing to consumers, thanks to rugged new exterior styling, interior enhancements and refinements to the suspension and steering systems."