2014 Jeep® Patriot: Benchmark Compact-SUV Capability with Improved Ride and Handling, Courtesy of a New Powertrain

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• 2014 Jeep® Patriot debuts new six-speed PowerTech automatic transmission
• Unsurpassed Jeep Trail Rated 4x4 capability, fuel economy of up to 30 miles per gallon (mpg) and improved ride and handling performance in all weather conditions
• The 2014 Jeep Patriot is the best-priced 4X4 in America
• New standard front seat-mounted side air bags give the Jeep Patriot more than 30 safety and security features
• With legendary Jeep capability and style, fuel economy up to 30 mpg highway, loads of standard features and starting at a U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $15,995, the 2014 Jeep Patriot delivers value for consumers 

For 2014 the Jeep® Patriot boasts improved on-road performance, compliments of a new six-speed automatic transmission. With unmatched Jeep capability in all weather conditions, fuel economy up to 30 miles per gallon (mpg), more than 30 safety and security features and a starting U.S. Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $15,995, the 2014 Jeep Patriot is the best priced SUV in America.

The 2014 Patriot is unmistakably a Jeep, designed to appeal to compact-SUV buyers who want traditional Jeep styling with best-in-class off-road capability at an affordable price.

Patriot offers consumers segment-leading 4x4 capability and excellent fuel efficiency along with rugged exterior styling and clever interior features.

"Jeep Patriot delivers best-in-class 4x4 capability with an iconic Jeep design," said Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "With a new six-speed automatic transmission for 2014, Patriot features improved on-road driving dynamics without sacrificing any of its best-in-class off-road capability. Best of all: Jeep Patriot is still the best-priced SUV in America."

Packed with standard features that provide value and convenience for drivers and passengers, the 2014 Jeep Patriot standard features include: front seat-mounted side air bags, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, Hill-start Assist, anti-lock brakes, illuminated cup holders, sunscreen glass, fog lamps, removable/ rechargeable flashlight, outside temperature display, rear fold-flat 60/40 folding seat, rear window defrost and wiper, tilt steering column, cruise control and sliding visors with mirror.

In addition to the standard features, the 2014 Jeep Patriot offers an array of clever features consumers will appreciate whether commuting to work, exploring out-of-the-way places or driving in challenging weather conditions. A Uconnect Media Center with iPod interface, SiriusXM Radio, navigation with SiriusXM Travel Link, power sunroof, a premium audio system with nine Boston Acoustic speakers, articulating liftgate speakers, and fold-flat rear seats are some of the available features that make the 2014 Jeep Patriot the perfect compact SUV, enabling drivers and passengers to enjoy any adventure.

For 2014, the Jeep Patriot continues to offer an All-weather Capability Group option which includes Goodyear 17-inch all-terrain tires, all-season floor mats, daytime running headlamps, engine block heater and tow hooks, making the Patriot the most capable compact SUV off-road and in all weather conditions.

6F24 six-speed PowerTech automatic transmission
Available for the first time in most 2014 Jeep Patriot models is the world-class 6F24 six-speed automatic transmission. Independently developed by PowerTech and refined for application in the 2014 Jeep Patriot, the six-speed automatic is fully electronic and designed for fuel efficiency and improved performance.

Compact and lightweight, the 6F24 eliminated many potential extra engineering efforts from a packaging standpoint with the chassis layout. Overall length of the transmission is 378.5 mm.

The six-speed automatic features a closely aligned 5.46 gear spread that provides nearly imperceptible shifting from launch through highway speeds. With a 4.21 first gear and standard Auto Stick for manual-like shifting, acceleration characteristics deliver fun-to-drive excitement.

With a 0.77 sixth gear, engine rpm is significantly reduced at highway speeds for optimal fuel efficiency. The stepped shift schedule across all six gears is designed for optimal fuel economy in city driving as well. Customers will notice extremely quiet operation throughout the gear ranges with the use of noise-resistant gears that effectively reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

The final drive ratio when mated to the 2.0-liter I-4 engine is 3.648. When mated to the 2.4-liter I-4 engine both the 4x2 and 4x4 versions will have a final drive ratio of 3.367.

The new six-speed transmission also helps reduce cost of ownership and maintenance costs with its fill-for-life design. There is no transmission dipstick, and transmission filter or fluid changes are not required under normal driving conditions. Low-viscosity fluid is used to improve fuel economy by enabling quicker operating temperatures on the transmission to reduce drag on internal components.

Segment-leading capability
The 2014 Jeep Patriot offers customers unsurpassed 4x4 off-road capability with Jeep Freedom Drive II.

Jeep Patriot is available in three drivetrain configurations. In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive system, it also is available with Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II.

Jeep Freedom Drive I 4x4 is an available full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with lock mode designed to give drivers year-round assurance with the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions. This active four-wheel-drive system is recommended for daily use, including slick conditions that come with rain and light snow. Freedom Drive I also features a lockable center coupling, giving drivers the ability to put the Jeep Patriot in four-wheel-drive lock mode to handle deep snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces.

The Jeep Freedom Drive II 4x4 Off-road Package is an available four-wheel-drive system that delivers Jeep Trail Rated capability in Patriot form. The Freedom Drive II Off-road Package includes a second-generation continuously-variable transaxle with low range (CVT2L) that engages when the off-road mode is activated, 19:1 crawl ratio, 17-inch all-terrain tires and aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and manual seat height adjuster. The available Freedom Drive II Off-road Package is recommended for off-road situations that include steep grades, occasional wheel lift and rock or log climbing.

The 2014 Jeep Patriot's powertrain is designed to deliver world-class performance in all weather conditions, with exceptional fuel economy and refinement, all at an affordable, value-packed price.

The Jeep Patriot features a standard 2.0-liter I-4 World Engine for the 2014 Patriot Sport and Latitude models that delivers 158 horsepower (117 kW) and 141 lb.-ft. (191 Nm) of torque coupled with the continuously-variable transmission II (CVT2), and delivers 30 mpg on the highway when mated to the five-speed manual transmission.

The proven 2.4-liter I-4 World Engine produces 172 horsepower (129 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (224 Nm) of torque, is available on all models and is standard on the Limited. This 2.4-liter World Engine has dual variable-valve timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts, which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds and produces more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without dual VVT. Dual VVT is a technology typically not available on vehicles sold in the United States in the Jeep Patriot's price class. The Patriot's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual transaxle in front-wheel drive configuration delivers 23 mpg in the city, and 28 mpg on the highway.

The 2014 Jeep Patriot also features a standard five-speed manual transaxle on the Patriot Sport model, a new six-speed automatic transmission that is available on the Patriot Sport model and standard on the Latitude and Limited models and the CVT2L transmission on vehicles with Freedom Drive II. The Patriot's CVT2L is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler Group engineers calibrated for a pleasing engine response and precise ratio control.

The 2014 Jeep Patriot delivers up to 2,000 pounds of towing capacity.

Jeep Patriot model lineup
The 2014 Jeep Patriot offers three available models: Patriot Sport, Latitude and Limited. All are available with front-wheel drive, the Jeep Freedom Drive I full-time active 4x4 system or the Freedom Drive II Off-Road full-time active 4x4 system with low-range capability.

Jeep Patriot Sport model
The 2014 Jeep Patriot Sport model is powered by the 2.0-liter I-4 World Gas Engine (producing 158 horsepower (117 kW) and 141 lb.-ft. (191 Nm) of torque) mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Standard features include: front-seat mounted side air bags, all-row side curtain air bags, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, Hill-start Assist, advanced multistage front and passenger air bags, anti-lock front disc and rear drum brakes, audio jack, fog lamps, illuminated cup holders, removable/rechargeable flashlight, floor mats, outside temperature display, fold-flat 60/40 folding rear seat, rear seat heat ducts, rear window defrost and wiper, front sliding visors with mirror, tilt steering column, cruise control, deep tint glass and roof side rails.

Jeep Patriot Latitude model
The 2014 Jeep Patriot Latitude model offers the standard features of the Sport model, as well as the following standard features: air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power heated exterior mirrors, illuminated keyless entry, 17-inch aluminum wheels, front heated cloth seats, rear 60/40 seat recline, driver seat height adjuster, fold-flat front passenger seat, 115-volt power inverter, body color exterior door handles and liftgate brow and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and speed controls.

Jeep Patriot Limited model
In addition to the standard features offered on the Latitude model, the 2014 Jeep Patriot Limited includes: 2.4-liter I-4 World Gas Engine producing 172 horsepower (129 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (224 Nm) of torque mated to the new 6F24 six-speed automatic transmission, leather seats, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, driver's seat manual lumbar adjust, leather-wrapped parking brake handle, six-way power driver's seat, Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), AM/FM/six-disc CD/DVD/MP3/HDD radio, SiriusXM Radio, automatic temperature control, bright exhaust tip and bright accents on the front and rear fascias.

Available options include: Jeep Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II four-wheel drive systems, 2.4-liter I-4 World Gas Engine producing 172 horsepower (129 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (224 Nm) of torque, 6F24 six-speed automatic transmission, power sunroof, Uconnect handsfree Bluetooth compatible phone with iPod connectivity, premium nine-speaker audio system with liftgate speakers and navigation with SiriusXM Travel Link.

The 2014 Jeep Patriot is available in the following exterior colors: Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Black Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat, Mineral Gray Metallic Clear Coat, Rugged Brown Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat and Winter Chill Pearl Coat.

Built in the United States at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Ill., 2014 Jeep Patriot models will begin arriving in dealer showrooms in the second quarter 2013.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC