Jeep Announces 70th Anniversary Edition Models at Detroit Motor Show

After releasing a barrage of refreshed models, Chrysler's Jeep division is now banking on a series of special edition models created to celebrate the brand's 70th anniversary.

“As part of our celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Jeep brand, we are creating stunning, premium special-edition models of each vehicle in our lineup that pay homage to the history of the legendary Jeep brand,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep.

The 70th Anniversary Edition lineup includes the 2011 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot and Wrangler, all of which are distinguished by certain unique features such as specific alloy wheels and trim options, and will all be available in a special Bronze Star exterior paint, in addition to Bright Silver and Black. The special edition models are scheduled to arrive in Jeep showrooms in the first quarter of 2011.

More details as well as pricing for each model can be found in the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE

2011 Jeep Compass 70th Anniversary Edition
The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the Jeep Compass 70th Anniversary Edition starts at $24,270 (plus $700 destination). It is available on Compass Limited models. Features include:

• Unique, 18-inch aluminum wheel
• 70th Anniversary badge
• Dark Slate seats with perforated leather inserts embossed with Jeep logo and Chestnut accent stitching and piping
• Berber floor mats and cargo area with Chestnut binding
• Unique dark green cluster overlay
• Chestnut stitching in steering wheel
• 70th Anniversary logo on radio screen

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee 70th Anniversary Edition
The U.S. MSRP of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 70th Anniversary Edition is $35,770 (plus $780 destination). It is available on Grand Cherokee Laredo X models. Features include:

• Unique, polished 20-inch aluminum wheel with Mineral Gray pockets
• 70th Anniversary badge
• Dark Olive leather seats with perforated inserts with Chestnut accent stitching and piping
• Black/Dark Olive with Chestnut accents is also available
• Door bolster and armrest in Dark Olive and wrapped with Chestnut accent stitching
• Center console in Dark Olive perforated leather wrapped with Chestnut accent stitching
• Black leather wrapped steering wheel with Chestnut accent stitching
• Berber floor mats with Chestnut binding
• New satin chrome-plated, graphite anodized paint and Black Lacewood interior finish
• Unique cluster overlay and needles
• 70th Anniversary logo on radio screen

2011 Jeep Liberty 70th Anniversary Edition
The U.S. MSRP of the Jeep Liberty 70th Anniversary Edition starts at $24,770 (plus $745 destination). It is available on Liberty Sport or Limited models. Features include:

• Unique 18-inch Mopar wheel with polished face and painted pockets (optional on Sport)
• 70th Anniversary badge
• Bright body-side moldings, roof rails and license plate brow
• Dark Olive/Dark Slate leather seats with Chestnut accent stitching and piping
• Door armrest and center console in Dark Olive with Chestnut accent
• Leather steering wheel with Chestnut accent
• New interior satin chrome accents and bezels in anodized Silver and Black Lacewood finish
• Berber floor mats with Chestnut binding
• Unique cluster overlay and needles
• 70th Anniversary logo on radio screen
• Mopar stainless steel sill plates

2011 Jeep Patriot 70th Anniversary Edition
The U.S. MSRP of the Jeep Patriot 70th Anniversary Edition starts at $22,170 (plus $700 destination). It is available on Patriot Latitude X models. Features include:

• 17-inch aluminum wheel
• 70th Anniversary badge
• Dark Slate seats with perforated leather inserts embossed with Jeep logo and Chestnut accent stitching and piping
• Berber floor mats and cargo area with Chestnut binding
• Unique dark green cluster overlay
• Chestnut stitching in steering wheel
• 70th Anniversary logo on radio screen

2011 Jeep Wrangler 70th Anniversary Edition
The U.S. MSRP of the Jeep Wrangler 70th Anniversary Edition starts at $28,670 (plus $750 destination) for 2-door models and $31,370 (plus $750 destination) for Unlimited models. It is available on Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Sahara models. Features include:

• Unique 18-inch wheel
• 70th Anniversary badge
• Dark Olive seats with perforated leather inserts and Chestnut accent stitching and piping
• Satin chrome HVAC rings, front doorpulls and grab handle
• Automatic shift knob with satin chrome cap and bezel
• Door armrest and center console in Dark Olive with Chestnut accent
• Leather steering wheel with Chestnut accent
• Berber floor mats with Chestnut binding
• Unique cluster overlay and needles
• 70th Anniversary logo on radio screen
• Mopar brushed aluminum sill plates

2011 Jeep vehicle lineup
Jeep builds on its tradition of providing unique, iconic, versatile and capable vehicles for 2011, with its next-generation, premium flagship vehicle – the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee – and with significant changes across the Jeep vehicle lineup.

With the greatest range of SUVs under one brand, the Jeep vehicle portfolio consists of:

• Compass: A compact SUV with a new sophisticated, premium design for 2011, the Jeep Compass delivers unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy, freedom, utility, and Jeep 4x4 cachet and capability, all at a terrific value
• Grand Cherokee: The most capable and luxurious Grand Cherokee ever, balancing legendary Jeep capability with sophistication to deliver a premium driving experience for all adventures
• Liberty: The mid-size SUV from Jeep that offers Jeep Trail Rated® 4x4 capability combined with on-road refinement and numerous innovative features, including the industry-exclusive full-length Sky Slider® open canvas roof
• Patriot: A compact SUV delivering the fun, adventure and value only Jeep can offer, with unsurpassed 4x4 fuel economy and segment leading capability
• Wrangler: The icon of the Jeep brand, it remains true to its heritage as the original fun-and-freedom machine. For 2011, it boasts an all-new interior, and an available premium body color hardtop for Sahara models
• Wrangler Unlimited: The only four-door convertible SUV on the market with room for five adult passengers, Wrangler Unlimited receives an all-new interior for 2011 and an available premium body color hardtop for Sahara models

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READ MORE - Jeep Announces 70th Anniversary Edition Models at Detroit Motor Show

Jeep Patriot gets New 163HP 2.2 CRD Diesel from Mercedes in Europe

Jeep announced today that the UK-spec Patriot can be ordered with a new, 163 hp 2.2-liter diesel engine, sourced from Mercedes. In addition, the American SUV also gets improved trim levels. Replacing the previous Volkswagen 2.0-liter four-pot, the new powertrain features common-rail technology, which increased power by 23 hp and 10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft).

The Jeep Patriot 2.2 CRD sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 201 km/h (125 mph). The newly found grunt (maximum torque is 320 Nm or 236 lb-ft) is also enough, says the American maker, for towing a 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) braked trailer.

Fuel efficiency is better too, as the diesel Patriot is rated at 42.8 UK mpg (35.6 US mpg or 6.6 lt/100 km) in the combined cycle.

Four trim levels are available (Sport, Sport+, Overland and Limited) and all variants come with new standard features, such as body colored door handles, Hill Start Assist, leather wrapped handbrake and active head restraints for the driver and front passenger.

The base price for the Patriot 2.2 CRD is £21,995.

By Csaba Daradics

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READ MORE - Jeep Patriot gets New 163HP 2.2 CRD Diesel from Mercedes in Europe

2011 Jeep Patriot gets Tweaked, Proves it's all in the Details

Jeep has released images of its freshened-up Jeep Patriot, and it looks like...the Jeep Patriot. Although front and rear fascias have been facelifted, the differences are only noticeable upon very close inspection.

Outside, the Patriot gets a new body-colored grille, standard fog lamps, new 17-inch wheels, lower rear bumper, and a total of four new colors. On the off-road side of things, the 4X4 models receives a one inch increase in ride height.

Underneath, the suspension system has been modified for more comfort with increased damping/rebound rates and a new rear sway bar. Steering was also tweaked.

Like the recently-teased Chrysler 200 sedan that replaces the Sebring, more soft-touch materials will be found within, as well as a new, thicker-rimmed steering wheel with integrated audio / trip controls. The Uconnect Voice Command system will be available across the board, and top-range Latitude X models will get standard automatic climate control.

Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley says, "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."

The 2011 Jeep Patriot will be built at Chrysler's Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois, and consumers will begin to see it populating dealer lots in the fourth quarter of 2010 (aka starting next month). Even though it's only been tweaked a little here and there, the Patriot seems to be shaping up as an interesting compact offering from Jeep.

By Phil Alex

READ MORE - 2011 Jeep Patriot gets Tweaked, Proves it's all in the Details

Chrysler Group's Belvidere Plant Rolls Out One Millionth Vehicle

he Chrysler Group's Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois reached a major milestone on Wednesday, July 28, when the one millionth vehicle, a natural green Jeep Patriot, that will be delivered to B.Z. Motors Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge dealer in Lewisburg, Pa, rolled off the assembly line.

The Belvidere plant was constructed in 1964-65 and the first car was produced on July 7, 1965. Over the years, it has produced a variety of models for the Chrysler Group including two-door, four-door models and station wagons for Plymouth and Dodge, the Chrysler New Yorker and Imperial and, the Dodge Dynasty, Omni and Neon. Currently, the plant makes the Dodge Caliber and the Jeep Compass and Patriot crossovers.

"The Belvidere plant has been producing some of Chrysler's most popular models for the past 45 years and the Jeep Patriot is just the latest model to add to the list," said Kurt Kavajecz, BAP Plant Manager.

"We are honored to be part of this significant milestone. The success of the Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber is a testament to the dedication of our workforce and their commitment to producing a high quality product."

READ MORE - Chrysler Group's Belvidere Plant Rolls Out One Millionth Vehicle

Jeep Launches Special Edition Patriot S-Limited in the U.K.

The Patriot S-Limited is Jeep's latest offering in the U.K. market and it owes its existence to the crafty marketers a few unique exterior and interior appointments. It is available exclusively with a 2.4-liter petrol engine and aside from the black paint finish, the S-Limited is distinguished on the outside by special badges, the Startech chrome grille surrounds, body colored door handles and mirrors, and front and rear under-ride body-kit. Interior upgrades are achieved by the use of leather trimmed seats and leather and Alcantara door panels, plus a leather covered center armrest, gearstick and headrests. Jeep said that production of the Patriot S-Limited is limited to 100 vehicles in the UK with prices starting at £19,810.

READ MORE - Jeep Launches Special Edition Patriot S-Limited in the U.K.

Jeep Patriot Back Country Concept by MOPAR

Making its debut at the 2008 Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris, the Jeep Patriot Back Country is a concept study customized with by Chrysler’s MOPAR division. Based on the recently facelifted Patriot that features an updated interior (see details here), the Black Country’s exterior boasts a unique Optic Green color along with a variety of MOPAR accessories including a roof top cargo basket adorned with off-road lights, splash guards, 18-inch alloys and special insignias. The blackened B-pillars, body-color door handles and the platinum chrome light bar at the rear complete the crossover’s exterior looks. -Continued

The exterior color scheme is continued in the Patriot’s interior which has been enhanced with satin chrome detailing on the door locks, door handles, shifter knob, console and air vents. Furthermore, Jeep has used a special material on the top-end of the steering wheel and the seat bolsters and head restraints. The material is inspired by wet suits and scuba equipment and is made from a smooth urethane that can hold up either wet or dry.

READ MORE - Jeep Patriot Back Country Concept by MOPAR