All new 2008 Jeep Liberty

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Joey D

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On the eve of the 2007 New York Auto Show, Jeep has released informaiton about its all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty, which for the first time comes available with a unique canvas roof called the Sky Slider. The Sky Slider can be slid completely forward or back or anywhere in between to reveal the open sky to all occupants. It's like owning a Wrangler without as deep a commitment to open air motoring. Obviously, the Liberty looks completely new for 2008 wearing a more traditional slab-sided Jeep design than the first generation, which was often panned for being too round and soft. The new shape opens up additional interior space, although that rear load height seems awfully high to us.

The '08 Liberty is powered by the same 3.7L V6 producing 210 hp and 235 ft-lbs. of torque, available with either a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Thus, we expect this new ute that has grown in most dimensions to be a tick or two slower than the current model. It should handle better, however, thanks to an all-new independant front suspension and new five-link rear suspension. Jeep faithful shouldn't fret, however, as the Liberty's Trail Rating is in tact, regardless of whether you choose the hard core Selec-Trac II full-time four-wheel-drive system or Command-Trac part-time four-wheel-drive system.

On the eve of the 2007 New York Auto Show, Jeep has released informaiton about its all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty, which for the first time comes available with a unique canvas roof called the Sky Slider. The Sky Slider can be slid completely forward or back or anywhere in between to reveal the open sky to all occupants. It's like owning a Wrangler without as deep a commitment to open air motoring. Obviously, the Liberty looks completely new for 2008 wearing a more traditional slab-sided Jeep design than the first generation, which was often panned for being too round and soft. The new shape opens up additional interior space, although that rear load height seems awfully high to us.

The '08 Liberty is powered by the same 3.7L V6 producing 210 hp and 235 ft-lbs. of torque, available with either a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Thus, we expect this new ute that has grown in most dimensions to be a tick or two slower than the current model. It should handle better, however, thanks to an all-new independant front suspension and new five-link rear suspension. Jeep faithful shouldn't fret, however, as the Liberty's Trail Rating is in tact, regardless of whether you choose the hard core Selec-Trac II full-time four-wheel-drive system or Command-Trac part-time four-wheel-drive system.

Check out the complete press release on the 2008 Jeep Liberty after the jump and our gallery of high-res images.

Joey's Note: It's the inbred child of a Nitro and a Commander, this thing is ugly. What the hell are the guys in Auburn Hills doing to Chrysler? No wonder they are on the chopping block. At least Ford can design a bland car and GM knows well enough to look to their Euro companies for help.
 
Well, its not the worst thing they could have done with the Jeep, see the Compass for a good sense of bad direction. My thoughts mostly lead me to say that it looks like the 'real' Cherokee, which is a good thing, as I do miss the old sport. Beyond that, this one is actually somewhat capable off-road, but the lack of any kind of reasonable engine/transmission combo that can provide enough power and enough fuel economy just doesn't seem to have materialized over at Chrysler...

...I dunno. It isn't too bad, but I'm not in the market for an SUV. If I was buying in this size class, this would likely be one of the last models I'd consider...
 
It's not ugly. I've seen it in person and I like it. In the focus group I did for Chrysler it was still running its 3.7-liter V6 with only 210 horsepower. My main complaint was the interior plastics in addition to the lacking engine power. They also had us pick from one of a few sunroof names - I can't remember the one I chose, but it was NOT Sky Slider.
 
Say it with me now: "Cherokee."
What will Jeep's next SUV be named? The Capitalist? The American? The Freedom?
 
-> Hmm...

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^ I like it, the truck definitely resembles with this old timer:

2001_cherokee_history.jpg


^ Too bad, they didn't bring the Cherokee name back, oh well I'll just import those badges from Europe. :D

-> They also too some cues of the Patriot (in which I also like):

jeep.patriot.front.500.jpg


-> But its sure is better than these:

1st gen Liberty ver. 1
Jeep-Liberty-115.jpg


1st gen Liberty ver. 2
06JeepLibertyDiesel.jpg


Jeep Compass (answers the question that nobody asks...)
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(:
 
I think I'll agree on the looks points. It resembles the original cherokee. Does it use the Wranglers mills, though? could it have?
 
I've looked at this again, and I'm starting to think I'm getting sick of Jeep's use of overexagerated fenders with separate lines form the rest of the body. It was tolerable on the restyled Liberty, because they did everything else wrong as well. But now it is getting ridiculous. They even managed to make the Wrangler look bad with them, and that has always had seperate fenders.
 
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