Until I can get the press kit processed, check out the all new Jeep Liberty over at our friends at Allpar:

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/jeep/liberty-2008.html

Likin' that roof! :smiley_thumbs_up: :smiley_thumbs_up:

I'm liking all the features that they added.... But I hate to give up my transmission (45RLE) for the lessor 42RLE.

I like the revised interior... Fewer circles!
I like that the trailer tow group comes with anti-sway right from the factory
The fabric roof is a little weird (I've owned convertibles before)
Love that HDC is standard on 4x4 models but wish that there was still some engine braking left in the drive line

Wow thats redic, its seriously the Patriot with a bigger engine, a bizarre fabric roof thing and an fancier navigation system. Really kinda cool though! Maybe with such a similar body we will be able to swap parts like engines or transmissions (I'm lookin at that six speed with overdrive!). With all those safety features I wouldn't mind having one but the headlights aren't round, what makes it any more of a Jeep than the Dodge Nitro?

no 4.0L?

Ugh, just a rebadged Nitro. The more boxy body is a welcomed change. The Commander style hood and nose is not.

I don't understand why they change the SELEC-Trac and left out the part-time 4WD choice.
If it comes to Europe with the 3.0 CRD engine then I can check it against other SUVs till then with the thirsty 3.7 I can't afford a Liberty

I like the 7-spoke wheels, although I'd prefer them in brushed steel rather than chrome. And the roof is just awesome!

i really like the new liberty. i love the old one (my wife drives one), but this one is more masculine. i

I like it, hope they put the 4.0 in it. Anyone who buys one with the retractable roof deserves the water leaks they are sure to get.

Yup, that thing will surely leak water after the first 6 months... Chrysler has a hard enough time sealing a door from water intrusion. I bet that roof lets in a lot of cold air in the winter too!

The 4.0L is coming - it's just not being launched with the vehicle right now.

The Part-Time transfer case option is still there (Command Trac as Jeep calls it.) The only big change is the removal of the transfercase lever and replacing it with the electronic switch for 2WD, 4Hi, N, 4Lo

The Gas mileage is still awful though

Wow, that front fascia is nearly identical to the Commander's. "Baby Commander".

The Part-Time transfer case option is still there (Command Trac as Jeep calls it.) The only big change is the removal of the transfercase lever and replacing it with the electronic switch for 2WD, 4Hi, N, 4Lo



I thought that the best option available for 4x4 transmission (for Liberty) was the Selec Trac I where you had both part time and full time 4wd, Now with the new Selec Trac II you don't have part time and you have auto 4wd.
I suppose you know better since you drive the selec trac I

I actually like it.

I miss my old '03 KJ...but one of these looks like it could take its place. :)

This is closer (not exact--no front live axel) to what I thought the Cherokee (XJ) could have morphed into at the end of its production. I think there would have been a lot less people PO'd at Jeep for discontinuing the XJ.

Lots more pictures here on Autoblog:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-jeep-liberty/
The more I see, the more it grows on me.

...The more I see, the more it grows on me.

Same here. The more photos I look at the more I like it. It looks like the Commander, but with a bigger top headlight. I think it is a really cool looking vehicle. The only problem is that it is a gas guzzler. If I wanted a V6 then I'd just get a Wrangler. If the new Liberty was available with a 4-banger it would definitely be a temptation.

While browsing the autoblog website, I came across this picture of the 2008 H3. only 1.1" more ground clearance than the Patriot.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-hummer-h3-alpha/196042/

I also like the new Patriot. I happen to like the ragtop, but I imagine most won't like it.

here's more pics of the 08 liberty...

I'm blown away by the new Liberty! HOLY COW that thing looks good! If it had better gas mileage, I'd seriously consider it over the Patriot. The price is still a bit steep, but I'd probably be able to swing the Hubby into it...he wants to get a "beater" SUV to tow his project car around since the Pat I plan to get won't be able to do so. We could just get the Libby to serve both purposes. Alas...no such luck. I desperately want somehting with the Pat's gas mileage.

Yeah, the Liberty is not the best vehicle for gas mileage (current or the new one)... :mad:

This is closer (not exact--no front live axel) to what I thought the Cherokee (XJ) could have morphed into at the end of its production. I think there would have been a lot less people PO'd at Jeep for discontinuing the XJ.

AND HOW!!!:mad:

I really like the sliding rag top. I was thinking about doing something like that to my XJ a few years back. :D

Oh yeah almost forgot.... WHERE'S MY :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: MONKEY :censored: DIESEL!!!!! :D

This is closer (not exact--no front live axel) to what I thought the Cherokee (XJ) could have morphed into at the end of its production. I think there would have been a lot less people PO'd at Jeep for discontinuing the XJ.
So you thought that the Cherokee would morph into a Dodge Nitro? :eek:

no 4.0L?

AHHH!! :wow:










sorry... The first time I read that as being no 4-lo. Just about fell out of my chair.

So you thought that the Cherokee would morph into a Dodge Nitro? :eek:

I was told by more than one dealer to look at the Nitro for a size comparison for what the 08 Liberty should be roughly like.

Should be a good seller.

I thought that the best option available for 4x4 transmission (for Liberty) was the Selec Trac I where you had both part time and full time 4wd, Now with the new Selec Trac II you don't have part time and you have auto 4wd.
I suppose you know better since you drive the selec trac I

True, there is only full-time on the Selec Trac....but it does have 4-lo, so does it really matter when it comes to off-roading?

The only thing that bothers me (maybe some of you noticed it too) is that in all the marketing Jeep has done for the new Liberty, they haven't mentioned a damn thing about off-roading. Further if you look at the available specs, we get every measurement except ground clearance.

They have talked about new on-road refinement achieved by adjusting the suspension...but they haven't said a thing about how this vehicle stacks up off-road.

I was told by more than one dealer to look at the Nitro for a size comparison for what the 08 Liberty should be roughly like.

Should be a good seller.
I was specifically replying to HoosierMud's comment that the Nitro rebadge is what he thought would be the natural progression for the Cherokee.

This is more than just an issue of "similar dimensions"... the '08 Liberty is going to be a rebadged Nitro. Of course it will be a good seller... heck it will be a GREAT seller. It's a cynical move by DCX but they know there is a large segment of the buying public who will buy it.

do you think it will only be a rebadging? I think it will be similar to the Caliber vs the Patriot... the underpinnings may be the same but the vehicles are set up much differently.

I am looking forward to driving the trail rated version.

do you think it will only be a rebadging? I think it will be similar to the Caliber vs the Patriot... the underpinnings may be the same but the vehicles are set up much differently.

I am looking forward to driving the trail rated version.

I agree with that comparison.....however, I don't think they made any strides in the off-road department over the previous/existing Liberty model. That is unfortunate, because now we have to wonder if it is even as good.

Nothing against the current Liberty. I was just expecting the new Liberty to try and compete with the H3 and Xterra. Those vehicles have the IFS and solid rear axle set-up, but they also tout more power and are available with a rear locker.

Some might argue that the Wrangler Unlimited is aimed at these vehicles...if it is, I think it misses the mark. Nothing in the US is directly competing with the Wrangler as of now. It will take more than a longer wheel base to cut into H3 and Xterra sales. I'd imagine the ride quality and interior refinement of those vehicles is important to the buyers. This is where the new Liberty steps up....but so far, unless they aren't telling us something (like an off-road package and a diesel option) it falls short of those vehicles IMO.

do you think it will only be a rebadging? I think it will be similar to the Caliber vs the Patriot... the underpinnings may be the same but the vehicles are set up much differently.

I am looking forward to driving the trail rated version.
Yes, I think it will be a rebadge, unique front/rear end and POSSIBLY different rear side windows. The differences between the 08 Nitro and 08 Liberty will be similar to the differences between a Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix.

I'm basing my opinion on the photos of the 08 Liberty and 07 Nitro.

In contrast, the Caliber and Patriot may share the same drivetrain components in some configurations, but the bodies are entirely different.

Other than cosmetic, will there be any signific off-road advantage in waiting for the Liberty?

So you thought that the Cherokee would morph into a Dodge Nitro? :eek:

Nope, this is NOT a Nitro. The Nitro won't come close to the off road prowness of the Liberty. I look for a serious off road version at some point in the near future. Also, possibly look for a diesel, since one was previously in the Liberty and sold beyond expectations.

I stopped in to a local Jeep/Dodge dealership yesterday and asked about the likelyhood of the new Liberty getting a diesel... the salesman said that it was never going to happen because it won't fit in anything smaller than a 3/4 ton truck!



...after picking my jaw up off the ground, I figured it was pointless to keep talking to this guy so I just kept looking and stopped asking him anything harder than color combos.

ok... the dodge is officially off the table - - - no low range. (what's the point of even considering it now that I know this)

also found out that the whole suzuki line has gone to AWD - no low range. there goes the XL-7 option.

Can't wait to see the Liberty!

Other than cosmetic, will there be any signific off-road advantage in waiting for the Liberty?

YES!

The suspension settings are calibrated differently between the Nitro / Next Gen liberty to afford more off-road ability.

I don't know for sure if the Diesel will make it's debut in the Liberty - but it sure would be nice since the current Grand Cherokee has the CRD option.

...the current Grand Cherokee has the CRD option.

I wonder if the engine compartments are comparable in size.

ok... the dodge is officially off the table - - - no low range. (what's the point of even considering it now that I know this)

also found out that the whole suzuki line has gone to AWD - no low range. there goes the XL-7 option.



False, Grand Vitara is available with 4-lo.

I wonder if the engine compartments are comparable in size.

I think the GC is a little longer in the nose than the Liberty but if the CRD fit before, I'd really hope that Chrysler starts putting it in them again (soon!)