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2008 Jeep Liberty Preview

When Dodge introduced the Nitro, most everybody thought that it was just aJeep Liberty with a new body, big fender flares and a crosshair grille. It was a logical conclusion to make given that both the Nitro and the Liberty shared similar components, were roughly the same size, and are even built in the same factory. The transmission and base engines were the same too, making it seem even more like an open and shut case. It's worth giving credit to those people as they were partially right – the Nitro wasn't that particular Liberty, rather, it would serve as an early preview to the new generation Liberty that will be debuting at the New York International Auto Show.

The new Liberty follows in suit with the rest of the Jeep lineup, using the “Jeep Classic” styling philosophy, switching over from the rounded “Jeep Modern” styling used on the previous Liberty, the Grand Cherokee and the Compass. The net effect of losing its bulges is that the Liberty looks verymuch like the Cherokee of two generations ago – square, boxy and upright – and one that Jeep predicts will sell in

You can go the distance with one of the Liberty's two off-road systems: Command-Trac or the new advanced Selec-Trac II. (Photo: Jeep)

equal quantities to men and women. Round headlights are out in favor of large, rectangular shaped ones that look to contain integrated fog or driving lamps, but the mid-size SUV still has its fender-mounted indicator lights. From the sides and tail, the new Liberty looks like a carbon copy of the Nitro, with inset windows featuring chamfered edges designed to give it a stronger, more durable look. At the back, the Liberty loses its side-swing tailgate in favor of one that opens vertically, but the convenient separate opening glass is retained. The rear-mounted spare is also gone and as far as we know, with only Sport, Latitude and Limited models on the bill, the roof-mounted spotlights and chunky matte roof rack found on previous Renegade versions aren't available either.

One new feature that Jeep owners are

There's only one powerplant for the Liberty, the 3.7-liter V6. (Photo: Jeep)

sure to love is the Sky Slider roof system, an industry exclusive. We've routinely seen these systems at trade shows such as SEMA by aftermarket brands like ASC, but this is the first time it's been featured on a Jeep not to mention in the midsize SUV segment. Sky Slider is essentially a gigantic panoramic sunroof, but rather than being made out of metal or glass, as many are, it's made out of durable cloth, much like a soft-top convertible. For the buyer looking for a true open air experience, the Sky Slider is the way to go as the open area extends from just behind the windshield frame to the back of the window in the second row, giving an excellent view of open skies above; not to mention that dropping the windows should make for a decent “open” Wrangler impression. Another advantage to the Sky Slider is that it's a relatively simple contraption using few parts. It also features a simple operating mechanism, which should make it a cheap upgrade for buyers.

In order to attract

New interior takes the midsize Jeep to new levels of luxury and comfort. (Photo: Jeep)

new buyers to the Liberty and motivate current owners to step up into a new version,Jeep has tried hard to make this vehicle more user friendly, with the kind of features and storage that the old model didn't have. There are more storage areas in the cabin, particularly trays and shallow bins for objects like cell phones and MP3 players – especially since all stereos now have an auxiliary input jack. The cargo bay doesn't have the Nitro's clever Load 'N Go sliding floor, but it does have a four-inch deep space underneath the floor for storing valuables, or dirty, or wet items. The rear seats also have the ability to recline more than ten degrees for added comfort. With multiple 12-volt powerpoints and an available 115-volt socket mounted at the back of the console, the Liberty is ready for the beach, the tailgate party, and the trail.

Jeep is also trying to push the Liberty to a slightly ritzier audience, offering features such as automatic windshield wipers, and memory settings for the driver's seat and mirrors. No, these aren't anything new, but they are on a Jeep at this price point that will surprise buyers

Sky Slider: where convertible top meets sunroof. (Photo: Jeep)

for sure. The MyGig system, with its built-in 20 gb hard drive and touchscreen navigation system that's being put in every new Chrysler Group product, can now also be had with the Liberty.

From the underneath, you're looking at essentially the same vehicle as the Nitro.Jeep enthusiasts will be glad to know that the new Liberty hasn't gone the way of the crossover and still contains lots of SUV DNA. The front suspension is independent just like the old one, and although the rear suspension now has five links, it's still got a live axle to drive the rear wheels. The 3.7-liter SOHC V6 has been carried over from the current Liberty and base Nitro. Because it's bigger and heavier than it was before, the Liberty really needs the oomph that a V6 provides, but is its 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque enough to move the SUV's 4,222 lb curb weight? Even with the six-speed manual transmission, the Nitro feels burdened and sluggish. Unlike the Nitro, the option of the 4.0-liter engine isn't on the table. For those looking for a smaller engine, one isn't available as the days of the four-cylinder Liberty are now in the past, and a turbo diesel engine hasn't yet been announced.

What separates the Nitro from the Liberty is thatthe Jeep is designed to

Taking on the Jeep Classic styling theme, the new Liberty emerges for 2008 looking like a baby Commander. (Photo: Jeep)

go off-road. In fact, this one's Trail Rated. Standard on all 4X4 models is the Command-Trac system, which offers part-time four-wheel drive. It has the usual 2WD, and low-range 4WD for sticky situations as well as a 4WD lock, which fixes the power distribution to all four wheels. New to the Liberty, and optional to 4WD customers, is Selec-Trac II, which is a full-time 4WD system. While it will still drive the rear wheels under normal conditions, its 4WD mode can actively shift power between axles. There's a low-range mode as well, which should result in good off-road capability, like its predecessor, and allow you to make use of the SUV's 39.1-degree approach, 20.4-degree breakover, and 32.1-degree departure angles. The interface that the Liberty's new four-wheel drive system incorporates is an easy to use switch placed next to the transmission gate, as opposed to the previous generation's separate lever.

In years past, the Liberty and its predecessor, the Cherokee, were big sellers for Jeep. By keeping its size and price reasonable, maintaining off-road capability, and improving on-road comfort and performance, plus by adding features and improving build quality, the new version should continue to sell successfully. The new Liberty will be available during the third quarter of this year as a 2008 model.

Preliminary Specifications (2008 Liberty):

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