The Future Jeep Lineup

Today, Chrysler executives revealed their future plans for the Jeep brand. Prior to the company’s bankruptcy, many considered Jeep the only brand valuable enough to sell off. Now, the company will slowly revamp the lineup, much like they’re doing with the Dodge brand.

Here’s a look at their new commercial.

There weren’t nearly as many specific details given about the new Jeep models or what the major refreshes would include. The most notable new product mentioned is an all-new Jeep SUV based on a very small Fiat model. The company says the entire Jeep brand will be converted to a new architecture by 2013 and ride on front-, all- and four-wheel drive.

Jeep Introduces Rocky Mountain Editions

Chrysler has been promoting its Employee Pricing Plus Plus sale for the past three months as a way to get a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle on the cheap. Today, the company announced a new option package that throws in roughly $2,300 in features for a cost of $1,595. Called the Rocky Mountain Edition, this bundle will be available on the 2009 Jeep Patriot, Liberty and Grand Cherokee later this month.

Chrysler has confirmed that the new special editions will be eligible for the current Employee Pricing Plus Plus sale when they go on sale. However, specific rebate amounts will not be known until they go on sale.

Check out full breakdowns of features for each model below.

Jeep Patriot EV Concept at 2009 Detroit Auto Show

• Looks like: A Jeep Patriot with simpler bumpers
• Defining characteristics: Another electrified model from Chrysler's ENVI division; 40-mile electric range, plus a gas-powered generator that can take over when the lithium-ion battery is depleted
• Ridiculous features: That we don't know how long we'd have to wait to get one
• Chance of being mass-produced: Drivetrain likely; model uncertain

The Jeep Patriot EV concept is the third gas-only model that Chrysler's ENVI division has turned into an electric car, following September 2008's Chrysler Town & Country and Jeep Wrangler concepts, both of which also bear the EV badge. ENVI, short for environmental, has also introduced two models not based on existing cars: last year's unique electric sports car concept, called the Dodge Circuit, and the Chrysler 200C.

The Patriot EV, a fully functional prototype, is a battery-electric compact SUV with a gasoline-engine-driven generator. The Patriot EV's electric motor drives the front wheels. The small engine drives only the generator, not the wheels — similar to Chevrolet's well-publicized 2011 Volt sedan. The lithium-ion battery should be good for 40 miles of driving before the generator is needed, and the generator and a full tank of gas add roughly 350 miles more, according to Jeep. The 0-60 mph time is a respectable 8 seconds, more than a second quicker than the new 2010 Toyota Prius.

As it stands, the Patriot EV recharges within eight hours on 110-volt household power. You can cut the time in half if you double the power to 220 volts, which some residential ovens and furnaces use.

The concept looks just like a regular Patriot, but with a slightly shorter front grille and a smoother front bumper. The wheels are also unique, and the interior comes from the regular Patriot, which was upgraded for the 2009 model year. Chrysler says the ENVI models will be produced, starting with one in 2010 and then more to follow. The company hasn't determined yet which will be first.

More photos below.

Jeep Patriot is Safer Than Originally Stated

For all you Patriots fans out there — the car, not the team — here are some more reasons to love your crossovers. In a rare omission, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has revised the 2008 Jeep Patriot’s frontal crash-test rating to Good, the highest acceptable rating. IIHS spokesman, Russ Rader said that a missing wire in the leg of a crash-test dummy resulted in the Patriot receiving an Acceptable rating, but with the wire in place, the Patriot’s rating improved to Good.

The 2008 Patriot’s side crash-test rating was also Good with the then-optional side curtain airbags, which are standard for 2009. Rear crash-tests ratings were only Acceptable, so the Patriot didn’t earn the Top Safety Pick designation.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2009 Jeep Patriot, Compass Get New Interiors

We brought you the first pictures of Jeep’s new compact SUV interiors awhile back — from Cars.com’s own inventory listings, no less. Now the company’s official embargo is over, so we’re here to tell you all about the updates to the Jeep lineup that you couldn’t figure out on your own.

Jeep’s two small SUVs, the Patriot and Compass, have received a lot of criticism for their ho-hum interior materials and design, even though the Patriot is one of Chrysler’s few success stories in the sales department. Chrysler’s new management talked the talk about placing more emphasis on interiors, hence the upgrades to these two models for 2009. No other Chrysler product will receive a similar upgrade for 2009 — not even the nearly identical Dodge Caliber, which is also a strong seller.

The two Jeeps receive essentially the same upgrades, which include a redesigned interior and some tuning changes. The interior features a new center console, dashboard and door trim design.

Updated 2009 Jeep Patriot On Sale

Editor's Note: Chrysler has stood by a September 1st embargo date for any information of its 2009 lineup. For the most part there are no significant changes to their models, outside of the 2009 Jeep Patriot and 2009 Jeep Compass which we talk about in the post below. We'll honor the embargo and only focus on the images uploaded by Jeep dealers. However, we're unsure why Chrysler wouldn't want to inform shoppers of their 2009 models when they are currently on sale to the public, in wide numbers. Especially, with so much hoopla around the changes being made by the company's top executives. We've also found new car inventory for other 2009s including the 2009 Dodge Caliber, 2009 Dodge Avenger, 2009 Chrysler Sebring and others. If you happen to wander into a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealership and see one of these cars we'd like to hear your story. Now on to the news.

Chrysler has been trying to promote the fact that it’s upgrading interiors in its vehicles over the next few years. One of the biggest knocks against recent Chrysler products, including from yours truly, has been their poor execution on the interiors. Some writers have even complained of getting cuts from the plastic used on certain models.

The first two models to get new interiors are the Jeep Patriot, which is one of Chrysler’s best-sellers, and the Jeep Compass, which is not. However, Chrysler hasn’t released any official information about the two models — no images, no pricing, no info on when they’d go on sale.

Now it doesn’t seem like they need to, as dealers across the country are already selling these revised models. Autoblog astutely found a few examples of 2009 Jeep Patriots for sale on Cars.com’s very own list of new-car inventory. We did some digging and found 253 brand-new 2009 Jeep Patriots for sale nationally in our inventory, ranging in price from $17,370 to $27,425. They’re for sale in many states, including Nebraska, Ohio, Colorado and others.

Below we’ve posted a gallery of some of the photos dealers have uploaded of the 2009 interiors, along with a shot of the 2008’s interior. It looks like the entire dashboard has been replaced, including the gauges — which was one aspect I liked about the 2008s. The circular vents and a new black center stack of controls look to be the biggest improvements, along with a new center console between the front seats. That used to be a major sore point to knuckles everywhere. Check them out below.

Weekend Athlete: 2008 Jeep Patriot

I took the Patriot out for a test recently, and it didn't score any better than its Dodge cousin, the Caliber. That's a shame, because I'd hoped a Jeep product would skew a little more toward the outdoors enthusiast than a Dodge. Still, it's a wagon-like vehicle and that means it has a few nice touches up its sleeve.

Friday Fleet Notes: 2.29.08

This week, we have input from staffers on multiple vehicles, including the Mazda RX-8, Jeep Patriot, Subaru WRX STI and the always-coveted Chevy Malibu. Check out what our staff had to say, then take a look at our latest Expert Reviews for each vehicle for more in-depth coverage.

2008 Honda Odyssey

• Unlike many minivans, the Odyssey doesn't forget about the driver. The V-6 engine is a smooth performer, and the van's responsive handling is much appreciated. Cabin quality is impressive, and seat comfort is good in all three rows. If I were shopping for a minivan, I'd spend my money on this one. – Mike Hanley, Cars.com reviewer

It's Official: Chrysler Cuts Four Models

Chrysler announced today it will cut four models from its lineup: The Chrysler Crossfire, Pacifica and PT Cruiser convertible, and the Dodge Magnum. The automaker also announced plans to cut some 9,000 jobs at assembly plants that produce a number of other models: the Chrysler 300 and Sebring; Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Charger and Nitro; and the Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Patriot. Though those 11 models – as well as the regular PT Cruiser – will still be sold, expect production to be scaled back. For shoppers, that likely translates to fewer cars with massive discounts clogging showroom floors.

The decision has been coming for several weeks now, with rumors brewing that Chrysler could cut up to five models. The Crossfire and Pacifica have trailed the competition for years, but it’s a shame to see the Magnum go. With the Hemi V-8, it was one fun cruiser. If they’d asked us, we probably would have advised canning the latest Sebring instead – or at the very least taking it back to the drawing board.

Chrysler spokesman David Barnas told us 2008 would be the last year for all four models. That means in about a year’s time there should be some steep discounts to clear the last of them off the lots.

Friday Fleet Notes: 05.11.07

This week we get some new blood into the reporting, namely our multimedia producer, Eric Rossi, who drove a Subaru Forester XT up to Wisconsin loaded with gear and some of our staff. He probably wanted to drive the new Nissan 350Z a bit more, but he still gives some interesting insight on the Forester’s long-haul attributes. The rest of us weigh in on the Volvo C70 and Jeep Patriot.

2007 Volvo C70

The C70 has impressed us before (we named it our Play Car of the Year for 2007), and I was thrilled to get the chance to drive it on a long-distance trip. I was a little worried about what it might cost at the pump, because the heavy car moved spiritedly, but those fears were not realized. Driving at highway speeds for more than three hours, I was able to get 29 mpg in the C70.

The C70 had great acceleration, handled the road well and was very comfortable. Perhaps the best thing about it, considering it’s a convertible, was the lack of wind noise with the top up — way better than I expected. Also better than expected was the visibility in the car, especially considering the low, arcing top, I expected to find blind spots on the sides and limited visibility out the back, but I never felt like it was difficult to see. On the downside, the doors are a little heavy, and getting into the backseat was a challenge for the kids. Still, I wouldn’t hesitate to put this on my list of possible next cars.

• Patrick Olsen, managing editor