MORE PHOTOS: 2007 Jeep Patriot

The Chrysler Group gave us the first glance at the Jeep Patriot at the Frankfurt auto show last fall. Although the Patriot was shown alongside the Jeep Compass as a concept car, the Patriot soon became a confirmed entrant in the small-SUV segment. This Wednesday in New York , the Patriot will be shown to the public as a production-ready vehicle.

The new Patriot will do to Jeep's bottom what the Commander did to its top - extend the model range for the hallowed brand. A compact SUV with a traditional Jeep exterior design, the Patriot is based on the underpinnings of the Dodge Caliber that is on sale now in the U.S. and will go on sale in Europe in May.

The new Jeep is sized similarly to the Caliber. It has a wheelbase of 103.7 inches, an overall length of 173.6 inches, and it's 69.1 inches wide and 64.4 inches high.

The Patriot will be available with three drivetrain configurations: the basic front-wheel-drive version, as a Freedom Drive I model, and as a Freedom Drive II Off-Road vehicle.

The Drive I seems designed to bring in shoppers of other SUVs and those who want more all-weather safety than in a normal front-drive car. It has an available full-time 4WD system with Lock mode and is meant for daily use including driving in rain and snow. The system features a lockable center differential for deeper snow and other low-traction surfaces.

The Freedom Drive II Off-Road version is charged with keeping Jeep's dirt cred intact. It gives the Patriot a Trail Rated 4x4 label and includes a continuously variable transaxle (CVT) with a low range that engages when the off-road mode is activated. It also includes 17-inch aluminum wheels and all-terrain 215/60 tires, a full-size spare, skid plates, an air-filtration system, fog lamps, and tow hooks. The package is meant for serious off-road situations, including steep grades and rock climbing.