Jeep: 2007 brings three new products

Don Hammonds | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - -The 2007 sales year promises to be a busy one for Jeep as the company welcomes several new products into the fold -- the Compass, the Patriot and the Wrangler Unlimited.

Of the three, the Compass is the one aimed at bringing in new buyers that never have owned a Jeep before.

It's quite car-like, with a two-toned interior, lots of safety features and an obvious Jeep heritage. It's designed to compete in the compact SUV segment and appeal to single professionals who are in their early 20s to 40s.

The Compass has standard side curtain air bags, available Boston Acoustics sound system, an optional 4 x 4 system and plenty of other features.

The Patriot is a more traditional Jeep -- ready for just about anything. It has in its styling some flavor of the Jeep Liberty, along with the old Jeep Cherokee.

The Patriot comes in base and Limited models, and is available with Freedom Drive I, a full-time four wheel drive system, or Freedom Drive II off Road Package, which offers a continuously variable transmission with a low range that engages when the off-road mode is activated. It also has 17-inch all terrain tires and aluminum wheels, a full spare and an air-filtration system.

Standard equipment includes side curtain air bags, Boston Acoustics sound system, sliding center arm rest and a washable load floor

Power comes from a 172 horsepower 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine.

Meanwhile, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the first four-door Wrangler Unlimited, has the most cargo space ever offered on a Wrangler: 46,4 cubic feet behind the second row seat.

Power comes from a 3.8 liter V-6 with 245 horsepower. An electronic stability program, electronic roll mitigation program, occupant classification system and optional side air bags round out the package.

The Unlimited has room for five adults and comes in three models: Unlimited XM, Sahara and Rubicon.

Though it's a new model, it still keeps some traditional Jeep features, such as full framed or half doors, exposed hinges, fold-down windshield and removable tops.

Prices and mileage figures were not yet available.