Married Couple Sets New Fuel Economy Standards for SUVs in a Jeep(R) Compass and Jeep Patriot

Geneva (ots/PRNewswire) -

-- Fuel economy enthusiasts drive from London to Berlin on single tanks
of fuel ... and then keep going!
-- Fuel consumption of less than 4.3 L/100 km (over 66 miles per gallon)
achieved in Jeep(R) Compass and Patriot
-- Distance of 1124 kilometres (698 miles) travelled through six
countries on marathon fuel economy challenge
-- Couple achieves record SUV distance on single tank of fuel
-- Drivers achieve more than 50 percent improvements over rated fuel
economy on both vehicles on independent drive

John and Helen Taylor, fuel economy enthusiasts, drove a Jeep(R)
Compass and a Jeep Patriot, both standard production vehicles
equipped with 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines and carrying two people
and their luggage, from London to Berlin on less than a single tank
of fuel each - an unmatched achievement among SUVs.

"This new achievement helps to establish Jeep Compass and Patriot
as industry leaders and proves that it is possible to offer global
customers fuel efficiency and capability in the same package," Jim
Press, Vice Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC said. "Jeep offers a
full line of vehicles powered by efficient diesel engines and we are
committed to furthering our efforts to reduce fuel consumption and
CO2 emissions. In fact, at the new Chrysler, we are redesigning our
business model with a greater emphasis on fuel-efficient products
with features that the customers want and need."

The husband and wife team of John and Helen Taylor first drove
the Jeep Compass and Patriot 1059 km (658 miles) between the two
European capitals. Upon arrival in Berlin, there was sufficient fuel
remaining in both vehicles for them to continue the journey, crossing
the border into Poland. In total, they travelled a total distance of
1124.1 kilometres (698.4 miles) on their way to achieving their
record.

During the 21-hour drive, passing through six countries, Helen
Taylor with Miss Nina Domberger, of Munich, Germany, as passenger,
achieved a fuel consumption figure of 4.25 L/100 km (66.76 mpg)
driving the Jeep Compass. John Taylor, performed even better,
achieving a fuel consumption figure of 4.18 L/100 km (67.46 mpg) in a
Jeep Patriot.

The Taylors were observed during their marathon drive by an
independent scrutineer, Police Constable Stephen Driver, of the UK's
West Midlands Police Force. PC Driver, who travelled as the passenger
in the Patriot, ensured that the fuel tanks of both vehicles were
sealed at the start of the journey and verified the odometer readings
and all fuelling procedures at the start and conclusion of the
challenge.

"We already knew that the Compass and Patriot were among the most
economical of all SUVs, but we were amazed by the fuel efficiency
that these two vehicles were capable of during this drive," commented
John Taylor.

"We drove on normal roads at realistic speeds with two people and
their luggage on board and the traffic and weather conditions weren't
favourable at all - cold with many traffic jams," he said. "We used
simple fuel economy driving techniques that any driver could
replicate."

His wife Helen added, "This record achievement challenges the
myth that all SUVs are gas guzzlers. We've proven, in everyday
driving conditions just how fuel efficient these two Jeep SUVs can
be."

The Jeep Compass and Patriot have already been praised by the
media for their fuel efficiency. 4X4 & MPV Driver Magazine in the UK
ranked Jeep ahead of all other manufacturers of 4x4s and SUVs by
presenting the brand with a Gold Award in its 2007 Green Awards
scheme.

The publication praised the Jeep Compass and Patriot for being
"the most economical 4x4s ever to wear the Jeep badge" and for being
the least polluting with their CO2 emissions.

Jeep Brand

The Jeep brand led Chrysler LLC sales outside North America in
2007, accounting for 41 per cent of total sales. Jeep sales grew 13
per cent for the year, fueled by strong demand for new models such as
Jeep Wrangler and Compass. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was sales leader
for the brand, and it is the second-highest volume vehicle outside
North America for Chrysler LLC.

The Jeep portfolio includes seven vehicles outside North America,
all of which are available in right-hand-drive and with petrol and
diesel powertrain options. Jeep vehicles available include: an
all-new Cherokee, Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot,
Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited.

Web site: http://media.chrysler.com
http://www.chrysler.com

ots Originaltext: Chrysler LLC
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Ariel Gavilan, +1-248-512-3404 (office), +1-248-495-4645 (cell),
ag93@chrysler.com, or Cole Quinnell, +1-248-512-0154 (office),
+1-248-877-3345 (cell), cq12@chrysler.com, both of Chrysler LLC.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, please visit the Chrysler
media site at http://www.media.chrysler.com.


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