The All-New 2006 Jeep(R) Commander Expands Jeep Lineup with its Classic Design, Jeep Engineering, New Features and Safety Techno
23 Mars 2005 - 5:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
The All-New 2006 Jeep(R) Commander Expands Jeep Lineup with its
Classic Design, Jeep Engineering, New Features and Safety
Technology NEW YORK, March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Its name is
Jeep Commander, yet the newest member of the Jeep vehicle family
could just as easily answer to "vanguard." (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050323/DEW003 ) That's
because the all-new 2006 Jeep Commander -- classic in design,
engineered to perform as only Jeep vehicles can, the first with
three rows of seats, and equipped with advanced safety technologies
-- is the leading edge of a Jeep product offensive scheduled for
the next few years. "The 2006 Jeep Commander is significant for a
number of reasons," said Jeff Bell, Vice President Jeep, Chrysler
Group. "First, Commander signals our commitment to remain the
leader in the sport-utility market, a market that Jeep invented
more than 60 years ago. This is the first seven-passenger 4x4 that
is Jeep Trail Rated. Second, Commander is the only SUV in its class
to offer two V-8 engines. In addition, the Jeep Commander expands
and strengthens what is already a stellar lineup, consisting of the
Wrangler, Liberty and Grand Cherokee. And finally, the all-new Jeep
Commander initiates the expansion of the Jeep vehicle lineup that
will take place during the second half of this decade." Heritage
Exterior Design, Complemented by An All-New Interior In developing
the 2006 Jeep Commander, designers looked to past Jeep vehicles for
inspiration: the Willys Station Wagons (1946 to 1962), the Jeep
Wagoneer (1963 to 1991) and especially the Jeep Cherokee (1984 to
2001). All were classically Jeep in appearance, with sharp lines,
planar surfaces and rugged looks. The 2006 Jeep Commander is a
modern interpretation of that design ethic. The Jeep Commander's
upright windshield, backlite and rear end, as well as its more
vertical body sides and side glass, embody the vehicle's classic
Jeep styling. Even the side-view mirrors are blocky and stout.
Overall, Commander looks strong and confident because of its
military bearing -- upright and rugged. And because it is steeped
in heritage Jeep design, the Commander looks familiar and new at
the same time. This tension between past and present engages the
emotions. "The Jeep Cherokee is an authentic, classic shape that is
rooted in the public consciousness," said Donald A. Renkert, Senior
Manager, Jeep Studio, Chrysler Group Product Design Office. "By
reinterpreting that vehicle, and other classic Jeep vehicles of the
past, the Jeep Commander elicited nods of recognition from
consumers, even though it is a brand new vehicle. There is a sense
of deja vu about the Jeep Commander that brings knowing smiles of
satisfaction." The satisfaction continues inside the vehicle, where
attention to detail is evident. For example, the two-tone
instrument panel is a design unique to Commander. From the gear
shift knob, to the four round gauges that make up the instrument
cluster, to the new steering wheel, Commander is refined and
uniquely Jeep in appearance. The newly designed seats are
supportive and comfortable. And, for the first time in a Jeep
vehicle, there are three rows of them, each row slightly higher
than the one in front of it. This distinctive stadium seating
arrangement makes forward viewing easier. The second and third row
seats fold forward to create a flat load floor. Commander is only
two inches longer than the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, even though it
is designed to accommodate three rows of seats. And since they have
the same wheelbase (109.5 inches), Commander is as maneuverable and
off-road capable as the Grand Cherokee. The Jeep Commander's
stepped roof provides second and third row occupants with plenty of
head room. Complementing the available front-mounted sun roof is
Command-View(TM), new and innovative skylights (complete with
shades) over the second row of seats. Engineered to Go Anywhere, Do
Anything Class-leading off-road capability and on-road refinement
were mandatory for the Jeep Commander. So the Jeep team went to the
head of the class: They provided Commander with the same 4x4
systems, suspension and powertrains as the award-winning 2005 Jeep
Grand Cherokee, including an independent front suspension and rack
and pinion steering. Available on Commander are: * Three full-time
four-wheel drive systems, Quadra-Trac I(R), Quadra-Trac II(R) and
Quadra-Drive II(R) * Two transfer cases offering Brake Traction
Control System (BTCS), and Electronic Limited Slip Differentials
(ELSD) for best-in-class tractive performance * Three available
engines: the 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 with the Multi- Displacement
System, the 4.7-liter SOHC Power Tech V-8, and the 3.7-liter SOHC
Power Tech V-6 engine "The on-road refinement and off-road
capability of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee are key reasons why it
was named 4x4 of the Year by 4-Wheel & Off- Road magazine,"
said Craig Love, Vice President, Rear-Wheel Drive Product Team.
"Now, the only vehicle on the market with the same pedigree is the
all- new Jeep Commander." Safety and Security Designed in from the
Beginning Like all Chrysler Group vehicles, the 2006 Jeep Commander
is designed to improve not only handling and accident avoidance,
but also to provide excellent crash protection. Jeep Commander is
the first Chrysler Group vehicle with electronic roll mitigation.
Using input from multiple sensors, the system deploys the air bags
in certain rollover scenarios, as well as side impact events. Crash
protection features available on the Jeep Commander include
advanced multi-stage air bags with an Occupant Classification
System, available side curtain air bags, seat belts equipped with
pretensioners and digressive load limiting retractors, and
BeltAlert(R), a buckle-up reminder system for the driver. Crash
avoidance features on the 2006 Jeep Commander include standard
Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
and an All- Speed Traction Control System (TCS). A tire pressure
monitoring system, ParkSense(TM), (rear park assist), Uconnect(TM)
hands-free communications, DVD-based navigation system,
SmartBeam(R) headlamps and rain sensitive wipers provide additional
safety and security on the road. Jeep Trail Rated The Jeep Trail
Rated badge on the 2006 Jeep Commander shows that the vehicle has
been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road
conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance
categories: Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability,
Articulation and Water Fording. Jeep Trail Rated is an
industry-leading methodology established by the Nevada Automotive
Test Center (NATC) and Jeep Engineering to objectively measure and
consistently predict off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles
today and into the future. Through a combination of natural and
controlled field tests, as well as computer simulated environments,
Jeep Trail Rated provides a repeatable and consistent measurement
of off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles. Only Jeep vehicles
are Trail Rated.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050323/DEW003
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT:
James Kenyon, +1-248-512-2936, , or Dianna Gutierrez,
+1-248-512-2921, , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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