check 'em out ...

http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_updates.htm

(here's nitro pics (http://www.studiobilar.is/images/dodge_nitro_2.jpg) for comparison.)

and here's the complete thread (http://www.lostkjs.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10688&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) of the guy who went to that focus group and saw it in person.

i'm definitely seeing a lot of nitro, but i knew we would ... the way dcx describes it, the new nitro is based on the new liberty -- not the other way around, even though the nitro was released first. so it's really not accurate to say the new liberty looks like the nitro ... it's that the nitro looks like the new liberty.

in the picture with the taillamps, you can see that they're red blocks with two little clear rectangles very similar to the patriot's. glad to see some patriot styling cues further legitimized.

and man, why in the world did they put little bulges in the hood over the headlamps when the headlamps are in rectangular casing ... what is so wrong with having a flat hood on a jeep?! i mean sure, the liberty is supposed to be "jeep modern" versus "jeep rugged" or whatever, but every other styling cue that made the liberty "modern" (read: curvy) is gone, so why not lose the headlamp bulges?? and let's lose the huge black mustache on the back too ... i was glad to see it gone in the 06 grand cherokee. sorry, i know you guys don't care.

anyways, i wanna see it without camo ... i have a feeling i'm going to be impressed and disappointed at the same time ...

Thanks for posting the link.

I think the "bulges over the headlight" are more a product of the camo/cover than the actual molding of the front end. Initially I thought they had forgone the "7-slot grill", but again, it is an optical illusion provided by the camo.

It looks a lot more square than previous models...and that means it looks good to me. In my opinion, the styling give the Hummer people (H3) another reason to be pissed.

My complaint is with the front fender....looks like a lot of overhang. I have to believe the approach angle on this vehicle will be suspect.

I can see front end style cues from the Rescue concept. My original thought, too, was the grill wasn't "Jeep" enough; however; after reading a previous thread, I went back and looked and it is the cameo that makes it appear to be more Dodge than Jeep.

I am so happy that they did away with the swing gate on this vehicle! I do hope they put the spare in the storage area or under the rear storage (like the JGC)--not under the vehicle.

Square is good. Two solid axes would be better!!!!--but we all know that won't happen:-(


It will be interesting to read some specs on this vehicle. My 98 XJ is about as long as a current Liberty--including the spare tire mounted on back. I get the impression the new Liberty, without a rear mounted spare, will be about the length of the XJ--or will it be longer?