Jeep unveiled its first three-row sports utility vehicle at the New York International Auto Show on March 23. The all-new 2006 Jeep Commander is its first three-row SUV. The SUV features a stadium seating arrangement with each row slightly higher than the one in front of it. The second and third row seats also fold forward to create a flat load floor. 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). Commander is only two inches longer than the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, yet with the same wheelbase (109.5 inches) is as maneuverable and off-road capable, the company says. "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." Jeep also unveiled its quickest and most powerful vehicle ever at the New York Auto Show. The all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 “performance SUV” is the first four-wheel drive SRT vehicle. The SRT8 features a 6.1-liter SRT HEMI V-8 and goes 0-60 in under 5 seconds. That’s quicker than vehicles that will cost twice as much, such as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo or BMW X5, the company says.