Could the Jeep Rescue come to life in the form of the renovated Jeep Liberty in 2008?


Some of the spy photos are starting to lean that way... I hope its true. I really love the Rescue's concept and if it comes with the new diesel... I'm sold.

Here's the Jeep Rescue...

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/8493/jeeprescue05fi3.jpg

and here's some spy shots.... (note the head lights)

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/7223/2008liberty04wt7.jpg
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/5530/2008liberty03aq0.jpg

...photos and info thanks to WK Jeeps (http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_updates.htm)


It's not as aggressive as the concept, true... than again how many concepts make it unchanged all the way to the showroom floor?

if the Rescue was ever released similar to the concept, i think the FJ cruiser would have some tough competition

It'll be closer to the Cherokee/Patriot/Commander styling than anything else because:

1) The Wrangler Unlimited is essentially a Rescue with the Gladiator front end. So if the Liberty looked like the Rescue, why would I buy it if I can get a Wrangler Unlimited and have a removeable top?

2) I know a bunch of people that like the Commander, but think it's a bit too big for practicality (like myself who is single and has no kids). So why not shrink it?

3) Despite it's popularity, many people shun the Liberty because of it's curves (and IFS). Many people want the boxy looks of the Cherokee back with more power than the Patriot.

So I think it'll look more like the Cherokee than the Rescue. From a business standpoint, this makes sense. Although, I'll be happy either way, despite the fact I'll probably want the Unlimited since I can ride topless....

if the Rescue was ever released similar to the concept, i think the FJ cruiser would have some tough competition

The Rescue was designed as a competitor for the H2. Neither are similar to the FJ Cruiser.

Could the Jeep Rescue come to life in the form of the renovated Jeep Liberty in 2008?


Some of the spy photos are starting to lean that way... I hope its true. I really love the Rescue's concept and if it comes with the new diesel... I'm sold.

No.

The Rescue concept was massive... bigger than an H2. Solid axles and massive power. The looks took on a giant Wrangler, and the new Liberty is going the route of the boxy Jeeps ala the Cherokee. Nothing in common with the Liberty... you're comparing apples to oranges. The only trace of the Rescue we will ever see is a scaled-down version of it in the Wrangler 4-door... which people claimed to be the production Rescue early on.

As someone who has spent the last couple years waiting for the Rescue to be made as a production car, and researching the concept, I can tell you that there's no way a Nitro-based Liberty is going to have much to do with the Rescue other than styling.

The Jeep Rescue was a Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel pickup with a custom one-off carbon-fibre body attached on top. It used massive solid axles front and rear. Other than a Jp Mag (or maybe it was Four-wheeler, one of the Primedia mags) they tried not to show the underside much because it was essentially the same drivetrain and frame as the CTD Dodge, but they did make a bling-bling billet four-link (solid chunks machined into links instead of welding up tube). Also, I think the Rescue used either a full airbag suspension or a hydro/airbag hybrid for its suspension, to give it the extra 4" of lift for "fording purposes" and to stabilize it in off-camber situations.. there's no way this tech is making it into a Liberty :)

However, as far as the styling cues, I would say that Jeep is trying to standardize on this styling 'theme'.. as they're marketing it in everything from RC Cars to toys and it's showing up on the Patriot and apparently, the new Liberty. Basically, they're taking retro blocky-lines and making them smooth and hip for a new generation of cars.. not unlike the return to the cues of the FJ Cruiser or all of the new 'musclecars' based on the classics..

oh well.

- xjMatt out :D

Edit: I remember reading somewhere that the designers of the Rescue took the Wrangler design + squared-off hardtop and scaled it up to fit 40" tires in the wheelwells, and this was pre-Commander so it possibly inspired the Commander. However, Jeep made them build it on the Dodge frame to same time and money, hence the 38" Goodyear tires and the Dodge frame rather than a one-off custom frame to go with that amazing carbon-fibre body.

Edit edit: I think I edited everything right this time. I'm really tired, as it's 1:50AM here.. goodnight Patrioteers :)

...bigger than an H2...

I wouldn't mind some of the features of the concept availible on a production model!