New York auto Show: All-new 2008 Jeep Liberty with Sky Slider roof
click above image to view 33 high-res pics of the 2008 Jeep Liberty
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.
[Source: Jeep]
Gallery: 2008 Jeep Liberty
PRESS RELEASE:
2008 Jeep® Liberty – All-new From the Ground Up
- All-new 2008 Jeep® Liberty remains true to its legendary 4x4 heritage
- Improved on-road ride and handling with new independent front and new five-link rear suspension systems
- All-new Jeep classic exterior styling, functional interior space and upgraded amenities designed to broaden its appeal to consumers
- Industry-exclusive Sky Slider™ full-open canvas roof
All-new from the ground up for 2008, the Jeep Liberty remains true to its legendary 4x4 heritage by offering two Jeep Trail Rated® four-wheel-drive systems – Command-Trac® and the all-new Selec-Trac® II. On-road ride and handling have been improved and refined with the new independent front suspension, new five-link rear suspension and rack-and-pinion steering.
The Liberty's exterior has been redesigned, and takes on a more rugged, classic Jeep look that is sure to captivate the attention of current Jeep Liberty owners and broaden its consumer appeal. Inside, cargo and storage space increases and seat comfort improves. Making its world debut is the new Sky Slider™ full-open canvas roof, an industry-exclusive; giving the Jeep Liberty that "Only in a Jeep" open-air experience. Remote start, rain-sensing wipers, memory seats and mirrors, and express up/down windows are added to the vehicle's ever-growing list of available features and options. There are two models – Jeep Liberty Sport and Jeep Liberty Limited.
"The all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty stands out from the competition by offering customers classic Jeep design, two four-wheel-drive systems, refined on-road ride and handling, cargo and utility, as well as features that are not typically found on vehicles in the mid-size SUV segment," said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Marketing, Chrysler Group.
The all-new Jeep Liberty is designed to appeal to customers who are looking for Jeep 4x4 capability as well as comfort and convenience. It is targeted to young couples and new families, as well as professional, young single men and women between 30 and 40 years of age, balanced male to female. Jeep Liberty owners will balance day-to-day responsibilities with their passion for adventure as well as the outdoors. They are athletic, and pursue activities that combine their various interests with their active lifestyle. The Jeep Liberty will be available at Jeep dealerships starting in the third quarter of 2007.
Engineering
The all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty offers a balance of off-road capability and on-road refinement.
- All-new independent front suspension, all-new five-link rear suspension, and a power rack-and-pinion steering system contribute to the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty's blend of on-road ride comfort and nimble, confidence-inspiring handling
- Two four-wheel-drive systems – all-new Selec-Trac II, full-time four-wheel-drive system and Command-Trac, a part-time four-wheel-drive system – both are Jeep Trail Rated
- The 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine provides the 2008 Jeep Liberty with competitive peak power and torque while providing smooth, quiet operation and proven durability. It produces 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Fuel economy has been improved and now achieves an estimated *16 city (18 mpg using 2007 EPA standards), and *22 mpg on the highway (23 mpg based on 2007 EPA standards).
- Two transmissions are offered on the Jeep Liberty in the United States: a six-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission
- The 2008 Jeep Liberty was designed and engineered under the Chrysler Development System (CDS), the comprehensive, coordinated and disciplined product creation process that improves quality and speed-to-market while reducing costs and encouraging practical innovation in new products
Design
In its first redesign since its introduction, the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty embraces its roots by taking on a more rugged, classic Jeep design that is guaranteed to strengthen its draw to current owners and broaden its appeal to a new audience.
- Jeep classic exterior styling and functional interior space are designed to broaden its consumer appeal
- Industry-exclusive Sky Slider full-open canvas roof brings "Only in a Jeep" open-air experience to mid-size SUV market
- Cargo capacity increases and front and rear passengers will notice the improved seat comfort along with added space
Safety and Security
The 2008 Jeep Liberty has a full range of active and passive safety systems. Among the vehicle's standard equipment are Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, All-speed Traction Control, Brake Assist, advanced anti-lock brakes, rain sensing wipers, Tire Pressure Monitoring, and side-curtain air bags.
Technology
The 2008 Jeep Liberty offers the MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System™ a completely integrated audio, navigation, entertainment and hands-free communication system. MyGIG allows customers to use touch screen or voice commands to control features, and includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive where music and photos can be stored. The system also includes a voice-memo recorder feature. MyGIG supports real-time traffic information, available through SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and can provide an alternate drive route based on traffic conditions. All of these functions can be controlled through voice commands and by utilizing a touch screen.
SIRIUS Satellite Radio provides U.S. customers with 130 channels, including 100 percent commercial-free music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather. And the UConnect® hands-free communication system uses Bluetooth® technology to provide wireless communication between the customer's compatible mobile phone and the vehicle's on-board receiver.
Manufacturing
The 2008 Jeep Liberty will be built using Chrysler Group's modern production process, called the Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS). FMS allows multiple products to be produced at one plant in a time-efficient manner that are a higher quality for lower cost. At the core of the new manufacturing process is the heavy use of robots at the Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly Plant.
The Jeep Brand
Today, with the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty mid-size SUV, Jeep offers customers the freshest, most capable and widest range of sport-utility vehicles under one brand in the industry.
The Jeep vehicle family consists of seven SUVs that represent four distinct vehicle segments. In late 2006, production began on the newest member of the lineup, the all-new Jeep Patriot. Earlier that year was the debut of the redesigned Jeep Wrangler two-door, the icon of the brand; the all-new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the first-ever four-door Wrangler; and the all-new Jeep Compass. The Jeep Commander – the first Jeep vehicle with seven-passenger seating – was introduced one year earlier. It shares its platform with the Grand Cherokee, a descendent of the Wagoneer and the legendary Grand Wagoneer.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bob-omb 1:24AM (4/04/2007)
I'm gonna puke. This thing looks like the Nitro. Which was one of the most horrendous cars I've been inside in recent memory.
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Eric L 1:26AM (4/04/2007)
Beautiful...
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Sasch 1:29AM (4/04/2007)
Yep, Nitro's twin brother.
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Patrick 1:38AM (4/04/2007)
Wow Look. Its All Grown Up Now
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Jeff Banks 1:39AM (4/04/2007)
I've really always loved the Liberty...especially now with the sliding roof. Since seeing a Citroen 2CV, I have always wondered why they don't do this on a lot more cars.
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DPC car videos 1:40AM (4/04/2007)
Yup, chances are the Nitro and the Liberty share the same frame. I don't think this or the Nitro look all that bad. The only thing on this car I don't like is the chrome looking headlights.
http://www.dpccars.com
DPCcars
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MikeW 1:55AM (4/04/2007)
4 speed automatic! Party like it is 1987.
Then again it took chrysler until the '02 MY to get a 4 speed auto for the Neon, and '03 for the jeep wrangler. So if one's expectations are low one won't be let down.
Couldn't Chrysler 'borrow' a 3 valve cylinder head design for the 3.7 V6? or even that dual spark stuff derived from the MAGIC program.
Mercedes had a short lived 3.7 18 valve V6 that was also a 90 degree V, the germans allowed for the crossfire.
At least the headlights aren't dual beams.
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FAB 2:03AM (4/04/2007)
You can't polish a turd.. Sorry.
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Bob-omb 1:58AM (4/04/2007)
Also, that 3.7L / 4-speed auto is an absolute dog on fuel economy. Like, some of the worst in the business consiering the power output. Boo.
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Jim P. 2:03AM (4/04/2007)
Why are the Chrysler interiors so dull and hideous looking? Look at all the dull grey plastic everywhere. Looks like a Grand Am interior, circa 1996. My friends 2000 300m has a nicer interior than any of the new Chrysler aresenal. Tell the bean counters to take a hike and put out a top shelf interior. This is unexcusable.
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Bryan 2:10AM (4/04/2007)
Looks like the Commander. I like it better than the last generation. The interior is a cool design but the plastics still look a little cheap. I do like the chrome grille and headlight setup.
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Steve 2:21AM (4/04/2007)
What is the difference between this and the new patriot? Are they not in the same segment?
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Jeff R. 2:29AM (4/04/2007)
Whoopie.
Another new DCX vehicle with overwrought styling and a pitiful interior. To be honest, the 2008 Liberty looks too much like the smaller and cheaper Patriot and overall, I feel the styling of the 2008 looks worse than the current Liberty, which doesn't look too bad. The worst part of the 2008 Liberty is the interior. Along with the sterile color palette and boring shapes, there is no reason in this day in age for such flimsy, grainy, and blatantly cheap plastics.
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Carter 2:41AM (4/04/2007)
It saddens me how Mercedes has managed to water down every car in the Chrysler brand.
The Liberty use to have a pretty nice interior with nice guages etc. Now all the interiors look the same among the jeeps and cars with that cheap looking plastic.
Does anyone remember the LH cars 98-2002 that actually had interiors that looked like some thought went into them.
Chrysler was a 35 billion dollar company and one of the most profitable out of all car companies. Since Mercedes they are a 5 Billion company...just very sad.
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Michael Karesh 2:58AM (4/04/2007)
The styling better fits the brand. But the Nitro gives me little hope of decent on-road performance. I also find it hard to get in and out because of the combination of high seats and low door openings, and that will be the same with the new Liberty.
My site's page for the Nitro, with a link to my review:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Nitro.php
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Cheezedog 3:12AM (4/04/2007)
I kinda like the look... Sure it looks like a commander, but this look is better exicuted here...
The soft top roof is a nice touch, and probably will help sell the truck to people needing a intresting touch...
Still I can't help thinking that Hummer did a similure concept with a H3. That just seemed so much more intresting to me then this thing. (then again, I am a GM enthusist... so its red apples vs green apples.)
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jakes 3:30AM (4/04/2007)
WTF with Jeep?
This is the worst Jeep in years
I believed the compass was a chet
but this has won the place
horrible
cheap
illogic
stupid
This means Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep will be dead in 5 years
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66coronet 5:08AM (4/04/2007)
http://www.allpar.com/trucks/jeep/liberty-2008.html
If you want more detail.
Everyone likes different things. Some like the bug eye sprite look of the liberty and some say it's ugly. Some like the blocky look of the commander and wagoneers of the 80's and now it's back with a twist.
Personally I'll stick to my pt cruiser and dodge coronet.
Too bad the 4.0L isn't offered. But maybe next year they will have the 4.0L rubicon.
I wonder which diesel for Europe. Probably the current liberty/nitro VM2.8L crd untill 2010.
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Jason 5:35AM (4/04/2007)
Looks like nothing more than a mini Commander. Right down to the scrunched lower headlights. (this is not a good thing.) It reminds me of when they left the little kid home alone and he screamed while pushing his face in (I'd not risk mispelling his name). Again, if manufacturers looked at their car faces like human faces, we wouldn't have such monstrosities. Alas, the interior is worse than the one it replaces. Chrysler is on one of the worst rolls it's ever been on in it's history.
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Matthew King 5:07AM (4/04/2007)
The rear load height is no worse than the previous generation (one would have thought the previous generation had a lower height because the rear wheel is not mounted underneith, but it doesn't). The vehicle is much wider across the top which means more shoulder room, important in the second row when carrying three passengers. Jeep could have made the front look more like the Wrangler, but they have obviously decided to leave that territory to the model which does it best. #12 This vehicle is a half way point between the Patriot and the Wrangler. Maybe three is overkill, and so in the longer term the Liberty might be squeezed out, but only if the Wrangler becomes adopts an independent front suspension. Note that the truck-like Liberty and Wrangler have a rwd based longitudinal engine orientation unlike the car-like Patriot and Compass which have a fwd based lateral orientation.
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