Jeep Patriot Receives New Diesel Engine

Jeep has brought changes to the engine under the bonnet of its medium-sized SUV, the Patriot. A new diesel powerplant has been announced, promising improved fuel efficiency and greater torque. The 2011 Patriot will also benefit from improved trim levels.

The new 2,200 cc CRD comes from Mercedes Benz, and replaces the unit borrowed from another German manufacturer, Volkswagen’s 2.0 TDi. The SUV now has 163 hp and a significantly wider spread of torque available from lower RPM. Output is improved over the previous model by 23 extra horsepower and 10 Nm of torque. Couple that with the increase in fuel efficiency to 42.8 mpg or 5.7 l/100 km (combined) and reduced CO2 emissions and you get a versatile fuel efficient SUV.

The top speed of the Jeep Patriot is also increased from 117 mph to 125 mph (188 to 201 km/h), while the 0-62 mph sprint is done in 10.7 seconds. The most significant improvement was achieved in the towing capacity area, which is now 2,000 kg compared to the 1,500 kg (4,400 lbs compared to 3,300 lbs) that the previous model could pull.

The new diesel powered Patriot will come in the following versions:

• 2.2 CRD Sport
• 2.2 CRD Sport +
• 2.2 CRD Limited
• 2.2 CRD Overland

The Sport trim offers improvements such as body coloured door handles, Hill Start Assist, leather wrapped hand brake and ‘active’ head restraints (front row). Sport + versions add extra features such as cruise control, deep-tint sunscreen glass, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, uconnect phone (Bluetooth handsfree communication and Voice Command) and rear view auto-dimming mirror with integrated microphone.

Limited models come with Hill Start Assist, leather wrapped hand brake, ‘active’ head restraints (front row) and a 6-way power driver seat, while the Overland version also gets a raft of high tech and luxury features, including 18-inch aluminum wheels.