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4x4 Vehicles Jeep: The New Family Hatchback? Published: 12th Jun 2007 Original article: http://www.difflock.com/magazine/4x4_Vehicles/Jeep_The_New_Family_Hatchback.shtml

 Jeep  www.jeep.co.uk  Price: from £15,995

The Jeep Patriot will be the new, entry-level model for the Jeep brand in the UK when it launches this summer priced from just £15,995, and alongside the Jeep Compass, it will help take Jeep in a new direction with vehicles that combine the packaging and interior flexibility of an SUV with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a family hatchback.

Peter Lambert, Managing Director of Chrysler Group UK, said: “You can’t escape the fact that the new Jeep Patriot looks like a classic Jeep – but there is nothing old-fashioned about the price, performance and fuel economy of this compact SUV or its state-of-the-art four wheel drive system.

“The market place is changing and the Jeep brand is leading that change as the Compact SUV market grows. Our research shows that the Jeep Patriot appeals to younger customers that want more from their traditional family car - young families want a vehicle that looks different but still offers plenty of room and practicality, together with great performance and fuel economy.”

Peter Lambert added: “Small family cars with four-wheel drive systems are becoming more sought after as they offer better handling and enhanced safety on the road. The higher seating position of the Patriot, together with the new four-wheel drive system that automatically switches from front to four-wheel-drive as you drive round a bend or if you lose traction, offers drivers a real advantage in every day driving conditions. The Patriot is as much at home on wet and icy tarmac as on mud, sand or snow and still manages to achieve an impressive 42.2 mpg*.”

Two Jeep Patriot models – Patriot Sport and Patriot Limited – will be offered in the UK and will feature a VW-sourced 138 bhp 2.0-litre six-speed manual diesel engine or a 168 bhp 2.4-litre petrol engine with a five-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox.

Jeep Patriot UK pricing: