Press Kit: 2007 Chrysler Group Product Information, What's New for '07

Jeep® Commander Expands Vehicle Lineup for 2007 With Overland Edition

Auburn Hills, Mich. August 31, 2006 -

The Jeep® Commander is the first Jeep vehicle with three rows of seats; now, more passengers — seven total — can visit more places to enjoy its go-anywhere, do-anything capability. Complementing the Commander Sport and Commander Limited models in 2007 is the Jeep Commander Overland model. The Overland model features platinum-chrome exterior accents and wood, leather and suede interior accents, making the Overland the most luxurious Commander ever.

“With more room and more capability than other seven-passenger 4x4 vehicles, Jeep Commander offers owners an extra dose of freedom and adventure, both on- and off-road,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. “And because it is engineered by Jeep, there is no doubt that the 2007 Jeep Commander is the most capable vehicle in its segment today.”

The Jeep brand has been building industry-leading 4x4 vehicles for 65 years. The Jeep Commander has Jeep’s legendary off-road capability combined with on-road driving comfort. As a result, the 2007 Jeep Commander is the most capable seven-passenger 4x4. And, of course, it’s Jeep Trail Rated®.

“WHAT’S NEW FOR 2007”

New Models

  • Commander Sport (New name)
  • Overland

Exterior

  • Five new colors: Red Rock Crystal, Light Graystone, Steel Blue Metallic, Jeep Green Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic
  • Power liftgate
  • Body color matching door handles on Commander Sport
  • Overland model includes:
    • Front tow hooks
    • Bodyside moldings with platinum finish
    • Front fascia with platinum finish appliqué
    • Wire lattice grille with platinum finish surround
    • Overland liftgate badge
    • Platinum finish on roof rack side rails
    • Outside mirrors with matching body color
    • Liftgate license brow with platinum finish
    • D-pillar appliqué/handle with platinum finish

Interior

  • Matching interior color cup holders
  • Body color door handles — Commander Sport
  • Diamond plate pattern console shifter bezel — Commander Sport
  • Overland model includes:
    • Leather-wrapped center floor console lid
    • Lower center stack bezel — real wood design
    • Center floor console bezel — real wood design
    • Front door switch bezels — real wood design
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood inserts
    • Leather-wrapped shifter knob
    • Leather-wrapped door grab handles
    • Seats — suede with Yuma leather two-tone combination with embroidered Overland logo
    • Mopar®-designed “cross-car” cargo net
    • Front and rear Berber floor mats (no third-row mat)

Powertrain /Chassis

  • 4.7-liter V-8 Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) (not available in ME, NY, VT, CT, CA)
  • Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) standard on 3.7-liter engine
  • Quadra-Trac I® Standard on V-6 4WD
  • Quadra-Trac II® Standard on 5.7-liter 4WD (late availability)
  • Quadra-Drive II® optional on 5.7-liter engine
  • Remote start
  • Overland model includes:
    • 18-inch platinum-clad aluminum wheels (Jan. ’07)
    • P245/60R18 BSW Goodyear Fortera tires (Jan. ’07)

Safety & Security

  • ParkView™ Rear Back-up Camera
  • Active turn signals — “Three-blink Lane Change”

DESIGN

Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Design, Chrysler Group: “Jeep Commander’s design influences are taken from a well-established heritage. The Jeep Commander is an SUV with classic Jeep styling, a flexible three-row seating package and a dramatic departure from the Jeep Grand Cherokee.”

Six-plus decades of Jeep history gave Commander’s design team an unrivaled automotive heritage from which to draw. Key sources of inspiration were the Willys Station Wagons (1946 to 1962), the Jeep Wagoneer (1963 to 1991) and, most of all, the Jeep Cherokee (1984 to 2001).

Introduced in 2006, the Jeep Commander is immediately recognizable as an authentic Jeep due to its classic Jeep design elements: seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel openings, round headlamps and flat surfaces, plus a steep windshield, backlight and rear end. The result is a rugged, constructed appearance that says “Jeep.”

Commander is the first Jeep vehicle with three rows of seats. Firm and broad-shouldered, the seats are positioned theater-style: The second row is higher than the first; the third row is higher than the second. Additional headroom is created by literally raising the roof. It is 3.15 inches higher, beginning over the second row and producing a stepped effect. The second-row seats split 40-20-40; the third row, 50-50. The middle and rear rows fold forward to create a flat load floor for maximum utility. Behind the third row is a storage bin, located in the load floor. Underneath it are provisions for storing the jack and tools. The bin’s top panel is removable and reversible. The carpeted side is level with the third row of seats, and the opposite side is molded-in plastic. It’s for storing the gear that active lifestyles demand.

Located in the roof above the second row are CommandView™ Skylights. These dual skylights of tinted glass are packaged with the power sun roof that is positioned above the front passengers. Standard on Commander Limited, the package expands the vehicle’s sense of interior roominess. The CommandView Skylights also have roller shades that can be used to block out light when desired. An optional rear-seat DVD player is located between the skylights.

An attractive roof rack rail has three integrated tie-downs on each side. On Commander Limited and Overland, assist handles extend from the roof rail down the back of the D-pillars, adding to the rugged, utilitarian appearance of the vehicle. The assist handles are black with chrome inserts on Limited, and black with platinum inserts on the Overland. On top of the rear bumper is a diamond-plate-texture step pad. The pad’s nonskid surface is helpful when stepping on the rear bumper to gain access to the roof of the vehicle. Reinforcing the constructed look on the Limited and Overland models are decorative bolts that appear to attach the classic Jeep trapezoidal wheel flares to the body.

The two-tone color scheme on Commander’s instrument panel and interior trim exemplify the vehicle’s attention to interior detail. The upper instrument panel is new. Character is provided by 16 Allen head bolts. A “JEEP” medallion dominates the center of the steering wheel and the new shift knob. The four gauges in the instrument cluster are simple and purposeful.

The result is Commander’s Jeep heritage exterior design, complemented by a modern interior of well-conceived amenities and features.

ENGINEERING

Craig Love, Vice President – Rear-Wheel Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group: “The 2007 Jeep Commander is unlike any other seven-passenger SUV on the road today. It offers three full-time 4x4 systems – providing the right level of capability and outstanding tractive performance — and three engine offerings, including the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine. And Commander is the only SUV in its class that offers two V-8 engines.”

Three Four-Wheel-Drive Systems

Quadra-Trac I®
Quadra-Trac I uses the NV140 single-speed transfer case to provide convenient, full-time four-wheel drive with no transfer case lever to shift. The Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) anticipates and prevents wheel slip for optimum traction during a wide range of conditions.

Quadra-Trac II®
Quadra-Trac II incorporates the NV245 transfer case that provides full-time, active four-wheel drive, and brake traction control system (BTCS). When wheel slippage is detected, up to 100 percent of the available 375 lb.-ft. of torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction. The NV245 includes electronic shift with a true low-range gear and “neutral” for towing the Commander behind another vehicle.

Quadra-Drive II®
Quadra-Drive II is one of the most advanced four-wheel-drive transfer case systems available, providing Jeep Commander best-in-class tractive capability. Electronic Limited Slip Differentials — front/center/rear — offer customers the ultimate in off-road capability.

Three Engines

3.7-liter SOHC V-6
The 3.7-liter engine provides the 2007 Jeep Commander with a powerful standard single-overhead-cam (SOHC) engine that is efficient, durable and smooth. It produces 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) @ 4,000 rpm. A sophisticated Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system tailors throttle response to pedal movement based on operating conditions, and maintains a consistent vehicle speed on rolling grades when cruise control is active. New on the 3.7-liter engine for 2007 is an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, which helps increase fuel economy.

4.7-liter SOHC V-8 (FFV)
For 2007, the Jeep Commander with the 4.7-liter V-8 engine is flex-fuel capable. This feature gives customers the ability to use up to an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E-85) to fuel their vehicles. The seamless transition of one fuel to another is accomplished by an advanced calibration system that determines the concentration of ethanol in the gasoline and adjusts for greatest operational efficiency. Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) support renewable sources of fuel and reduce emissions. The engine produces 235 hp (175 kW) @ 4,500 rpm and 305 lb.-ft. (414 N•m) of torque @ 3,600.

5.7-liter HEMI V-8
The 5.7-liter HEMI with the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) gives Commander best-in-class performance. MDS imperceptibly deactivates half the cylinders of the 5.7-liter HEMI during cruising and light acceleration to increase fuel economy up to 20 percent, depending on driving conditions. A sophisticated ETC system tailors throttle response to pedal movement based on operating conditions, and maintains a more consistent vehicle speed on rolling grades when cruise control is active, compared with the former mechanical throttle control system. The HEMI produces 330 hp (246 kW) @ 5,000 rpm and 375 lb.-ft. (508 N•m) @ 4,000 rpm.

Suspension Steering Systems and Transmissions
The short- and long-arm independent front suspension on Commander provides the driver with a greater sense of precision and control and more precise steering, and reduces vehicle weight and head toss, all without compromising Commander’s stalwart off-road performance. The five-link rear suspension geometry, including a track bar, also improves lateral stiffness to match that of the front suspension for optimum handling.

The Electronic Stability Program, which is standard, aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability in severe maneuvers on any type of surface. It works by using signals from sensors throughout the vehicle that then determine the appropriate brake and throttle adjustments for directional stability.

Commander’s rack-and-pinion steering imparts more precise steering to the driver, providing quick response during all types of maneuvers.

Available with the 3.7-liter V-6 engine is the W5A580, a five-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth shifts and optimum fuel economy. The 4.7-liter V-8 and the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 are mated to the 545RFE five-speed automatic transmission. The transmission has higher-quality shifts, giving Commander class-leading towing capacity of 7,400 lbs., equal to that of the Grand Cherokee. Both transmissions feature Electronic Range Select driver interactive shift control. The shifter provides fully automated shifting when in the “drive” position. Or the driver can manually select each gear by simply moving the shifter left and right from the “drive” position. This gives the driver control to precisely match any on-road or off-road driving requirement.

An off-road group is available on Commander that includes tow hooks, a stamped-steel transfer case skid plate that mounts to the transmission cross member, and a fuel tank skid plate that provides off-road protection to the transfer case.

Jeep Trail Rated
The Jeep Trail Rated badge on the 2007 Jeep Commander verifies that the vehicle has been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key off-road performance categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording.

Jeep Trail Rated is an industry-leading methodology that objectively measures and consistently predicts off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles. 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 Jeep vehicles. Only Jeep vehicles are Trail Rated.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

The 2007 Jeep Commander expands the Jeep lineup and offers consumers more capability, more flexibility, more safety and more premium amenities

  • First Jeep with seven-passenger seating
  • The most capable seven-passenger vehicle on the market
  • Three rows of seats that are theater-style
  • Fold-flat, 40-20-40 second-row seating allows for easy entry and exit to and from the third row, while fold-flat, 50-50 third-row seats provide flexibility for passengers and cargo
  • New Jeep Commander Overland featuring platinum-chrome exterior accents and wood, leather and suede interior accents, making the Overland the most luxurious Commander ever

Commander’s all-new design was inspired by three legendary Jeep vehicles: the Willys Station Wagons (1946 to 1962), the Jeep Wagoneer (1963 to 1991) and especially the Jeep Cherokee (1984 to 2001)

  • With its flat, planar surfaces and upright stance, Commander has a rugged, masculine presence
  • Styling cues include the Jeep signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel openings

Legendary Jeep off-road 4x4 capability and class-leading four-wheel-drive capability

  • Choice of three 4x4 systems — Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II
  • The Quadra-Drive II Jeep 4x4 system gives customers the ultimate in off-road capability by combining the NV245 full-time transfer case with Electronic Limited Slip Differentials (front/rear/center) for best-in-class tractive performance
  • Staying true to its legendary 4x4 heritage, Jeep Commander is Trail Rated
  • The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine (330 hp and 375 lb.-ft. of torque) provides best-in-class horsepower and torque, and best-in-class off-road performance for a three-row SUV. The HEMI’s Multiple-Displacement System increases fuel economy by up to 20 percent. Also available on Commander are the 4.7-liter V-8 engine (235 hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque) and the 3.7-liter V-6 engine (210 hp and 235 lb.-ft. of torque)

Jeep Commander has the highest level of safety and security technology and features ever offered on a Chrysler Group vehicle

  • Commander has standard side-curtain air bags covering all three rows, including rollover sensors, and standard Electronic Stability Program, advanced multi-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, advanced Anti-Lock Brake System, Brake Assist, all-speed Traction Control System, ParkView and ParkSense® Rear Back-up System

More Jeep with more premium amenities

  • CommandView™ Skylights, remote start, driver-accessible DVD player and overhead-mounted DVD screen for improved viewing comfort, rear audio mode unique from driver, full-screen navigation system, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, UConnect®, ParkView and ParkSense

MODEL LINEUP

2007 Jeep Commander Sport

Standard Features

  • 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine
  • Five-speed automatic transmission
  • 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels
  • Quadra-Trac I
  • Full-size matching wheel spare
  • Air conditioning
  • ParkSense
  • Speed control
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring warning
  • Sun visor extenders

Optional Features

  • 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 FFV engine
  • 17” x 7.5” gray aluminum wheels
  • Power liftgate
  • Power eight-way driver and four-way passenger seats
  • Five-speed transmission
  • Quadra-Trac II
  • Automatic headlamps
  • Automatic dimming rearview mirror
  • AM/FM/CD/MP3 six-disc radio and six speakers
  • Boston Acoustics speakers
  • Fog lamps
  • SIRUS Satellite Radio
  • UConnect
  • Rear air conditioning with heater
  • Leather seats
  • DVD-based navigation system
  • Power sun roof with CommandView Skylights
  • ParkView
  • Rear-seat DVD system
  • Remote start
  • HomeLink universal garage door opener

2007 Jeep Commander Limited

Standard Features
In addition to the standard features on the Jeep Commander Sport, the Limited model includes:

  • 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 engine
  • Quadra-Trac II
  • Five-speed automatic transmission
  • Rain-sensitive windshield wipers
  • Adjustable roof rail crossbars
  • SmartBeam® intelligent headlight system
  • 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels
  • Heated front seats
  • Power eight-way driver seats and four-way power passenger seats
  • Air conditioning with dual-zone automatic temperature control
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Power adjustable pedals
  • Power sun roof with CommandView Skylights
  • Remote start
  • AM/FM/CD/MP3 with six-disc in-dash CD
  • Boston Acoustics speakers
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a one-year free subscription
  • Security alarm
  • Rear heat, ventilation and air conditioning
  • Universal garage door opener

Optional Features

  • 5.7-liter HEMI V-8
  • Quadra-Drive II
  • P245/65R17 OWL (outline white letter) all-terrain tires
  • 17” x 7.5” chrome-clad aluminum wheels
  • Power liftgate
  • ParkView
  • Six-CD/full-map global-positioning-satellite (GPS) display with navigation radio
  • Engine block heater
  • Off-road group

2007 Jeep Commander Overland

Standard Features
In addition to the standard features on the Jeep Commander Limited, the Overland model includes:

  • 5.7-liter HEMI V-8
  • Quadra-Drive II
  • Five-speed automatic transmission
  • Trailer tow group
  • Leather/suede-trimmed bucket seats
  • ParkView
  • Power liftgate
  • Electronic vehicle information center
  • Wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • UConnect Hands-free Communication
  • Six-CD/full-map GPS display with navigation radio
  • 17-inch platinum-clad wheels

Optional Features

  • 18” x 7.5” platinum wheels
  • 245/60R18 BSW all-terrain tires

SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES
The Jeep Commander received the government’s highest rating for frontal-impact crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Please refer to the Safety Glossary section for descriptions of the following available features:

  • Active Turn Signals
  • Adjustable Pedals
  • Advanced Anti-Lock Brake System
  • Advanced Multi-Stage Air Bags
  • BeltAlert
  • Brake Assist
  • Child Seat Anchor System — LATCH (Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHildren)
  • Digressive Load-Limiting Seat Belt Retractors
  • Electronic Roll Mitigation
  • Electronic Stability Program
  • Energy-Absorbing Steering Wheel and Column
  • Enhanced Accident Response System
  • Express Up-Down Front-Door Windows
  • Four-Wheel Brake Traction Control System
  • Head Restraints in All Outboard Seating Positions
  • Knee Bolsters
  • ParkSense
  • ParkView
  • Rain-Sensitive Wipers
  • Remote Keyless Entry
  • Seat Belt Pretensioners
  • Sentry Key® Theft-Deterrent System
  • Side-Curtain Air Bags With Roll Detection System
  • SmartBeam Headlamps
  • Three-Point Belts in All Seating Positions
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System With Warning Indicator
  • UConnect Hands-free Communication

COLOR AVAILABILITY

  • Jeep Green Metallic (New Color)
  • Light Graystone (New Color)
  • Mineral Gray Metallic (New Color)
  • Red Rock Crystal (New Color)
  • Steel Blue Metallic (New Color)
  • Stone White Clear Coat
  • Black Clear Coat
  • Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat

MANUFACTURING INFORMATION

  • 2007 model year production start: August 2006
  • Production location: Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit
  • 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine: Mack Avenue Engine Complex in Detroit
  • 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 FFV engine: Mack Avenue Engine Complex in Detroit
  • 5.7-liter SOHC HEMI V-8 engine: Saltillo Engine Plant in Saltillo, Mexico
  • Five-speed automatic transmission (W5A580): Indiana Transmission Plant II in Kokomo, Ind.
  • Five-speed automatic transmission (545RFE): Indiana Transmission Plant II in Kokomo, Ind.

MARKET POSITION

The Jeep Commander is the result of 65 years of building industry-leading 4x4 vehicles. Jeep Commander delivers spacious, flexible seating with room for seven. All Jeep, inside and out, the Commander is a ruggedly styled SUV with unmatched standard safety technology. The well-appointed interior provides versatility complementing an adventurous lifestyle.

MARKET ADVANTAGES

Expanded Seating Versatility and Flexibility with Room for Seven

  • Stadium seating provides a better inside-outside view for all passengers
  • Fold-flat second- and third-row seats (40-20-40 and 50-50, respectively) for increased cargo storage and flexibility
  • All-new power sun roof with CommandView dual skylights above the second row
  • Class-Leading Off-Road, On-Road and Safety Performance for Three-Row Vehicles
  • Standard Electronic Stability Program, Panic Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation, ParkSense Rear Back-up System, and side-curtain air bags with extended roll protection
  • Quadra-Drive II system with industry-exclusive Electronic Limited Slip Differentials
  • 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 offers best-in-class horsepower and torque combined with Multi-Displacement System for improved fuel economy

An Authentic Jeep

  • All-new design, a modern interpretation of the traditional Jeep appearance; immediately recognizable as a Jeep
  • Rugged masculine presence, classic Jeep grille and lines with steep windshield, back glass and back end
  • What other SUVs want to be

Modern Technology

  • ParkView back-up camera (with DVD-based navigation radio)
  • Power liftgate
  • SmartBeam headlights
  • DVD full-map navigation system
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio
  • Remote engine start
  • Rear DVD player

Demographics

  • Gender: 60 percent male/40 percent female
  • Median Age: 47
  • Median Annual Household Income: $85,000
  • Education: 60 percent with undergraduate/graduate degrees
  • Household: 80 percent married, 40 percent with children

PRODUCT CHRONOLOGY

2006 Model Year
Jeep Commander and Jeep Commander Limited Introduced

Jeep Commander Standard Features

  • Colors: Red Rock Crystal, Light Graystone, Mineral Gray Metallic, Jeep Green Metallic, Steel Blue Metallic, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Black Clear Coat, Stone White Clear Coat
  • Automatic liftgate flipper glass
  • High-performance halogen headlamps
  • Stepped roof for enhanced interior spaciousness
  • 3.7-liter V-6 with W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission and Electronic Range Select (ERS)
  • 4.7-liter V-8 with 545RFE five-speed automatic transmission and Electronic Range Select (ERS) — Optional
  • Quadra-Trac I standard on 3.7-liter V-6 4WD models
  • Quadra-Trac II standard on V-8 4WD models
  • Interior Colors: Medium Slate Gray, Khaki
  • Three-row seven-passenger seating:
    • Stadium seating for second- and third-row passengers
    • Reclining fold-and-tumble 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seat
    • 50/50 split-folding third-row seat
    • 10.8-inch driver seat track travel
    • Manual lumbar adjustment for driver and passenger
    • Cloth seats with Telluride cloth inserts and Aibi cloth covering outer surfaces
    • Eight-way power driver seat
  • Advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags
  • BeltAlert system
  • One touch express up/down windows
  • Trail Rated™ 4WD models — Optional
  • Independent short- and -long arm (SLA) front suspension
  • Power-assisted, variable ratio rack and pinion steering
  • Five-link solid axle rear
  • Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP)(a) with Electronic Roll Mitigation
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) on 4WD models
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring warning light
  • Boston Acoustic sound system with Boston Sound™ — Optional
  • Controller Area Network (CAN) electrical architecture
  • ParkSense® Rear Back-up System

Jeep Commander Limited Features

Includes all Jeep Commander standard features plus or replaced by:

  • Chrome Accents: Grille, bodyside molding, “D” pillar assist handle with chrome insert, side roof rails, license plate brow
  • SmartBeam™ intelligent headlamps
  • Electrochromic mirror
  • Rain-sensitive windshield wipers
  • Premium fender flares
  • 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 with 545RFE five-speed automatic transmission and Electronic Range Select (ERS)
  • Electronic Limited Slip Differential (ELSD) included in 4WD models
  • Quadra-Trac II Electric Shift standard on 4WD models with 4.7-liter engine and 5.7-liter engine
  • Interior Colors: Dark Slate Gray/Light Graystone, Khaki/Light Graystone
  • Seats:
    • Premium Yuma leather with perforated inserts
    • Two-tone Light Graystone/Dark Khaki seat with Khaki/Light Graystone interior
    • Monotone Saddle Brown seat with Dark Slate Gray/Light Graystone interior
    • Monotone Light Graystone seat with Dark Slate Gray/Light Graystone interior
    • Memory driver seat
    • Four-way passenger power seat
    • Heated driver and passenger seats
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio
  • Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring system with premium display
  • Rear HVAC system 



Download Video Embed