 KJ and Grand Cherokee Futures
Posted by mike on 2000/10/29 23:00:00 (1242) reads
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 The All Fours Jeep Club recently published this photo of the 2002 Cherokee (KJ) with its body masking digitally removed. While we don't know for sure if this is an accurate rendition of the next-generation Cherokee, it does give us the best look yet at what the KJ may look like.
Car and Truck News is reporting that the next-generation Cherokee may not be called a Cherokee after all; they've been hearing that the KJ might be called either the "Jeep Liberty" or the "Jeep Freedom". Here's the entire article.
Finally today, according to Yahoo! News, DaimlerChrysler's recent financial problems is going to cause a delay in an all-new Grand Cherokee, originally scheuduled for 2004.
Chrysler, the scrappy U.S. automaker that twice avoided bankruptcy over the past 20 years, has canceled or delayed several new vehicles to staunch its financial bleeding, people familiar with the plans said.
The company, now a unit of Germany's DaimlerChrysler AG, has killed plans for a full-size Dodge sport utility vehicle, a larger Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and a Chrysler convertible called Hemi C, sources told Reuters. Chrysler also will delay the overhaul of the Grand Cherokee, originally scheduled for 2004.
``That stuff got knee-capped,'' said one person familiar with the plans. ``There's no room for image cars at Chrysler right now in the budget.''
Grand Cherokee will still receive a new look and upgraded interior features in 2004, making it fresh to consumers in all respects, the employee said. However, it will be built off the same vehicle platform -- the basic building block that includes the drivetrain, chassis, axles and other parts -- as the current Grand Cherokee.
The bigger Grand Cherokee, with the extra seating, is still in the product plans, the employee said.
Reader Reactions
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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 Originally posted by: john jones here is my comment
I am in agreement with most of the readers. However, lets get are facts straight (Ken), the Hummer Name is being marketed by GM-not owned. AMGeneral still builds the Civilian Hummers and Military Hummers. And the Hummer does not use a live axle, it has a unique design (that you really should read about) of it's own not at all like Jeep.
Long live the Cherokee XJ.
Good comment though about the V-6 and straight sixes.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Jay Chrysler must bear in mind that THEY are the only manufacturer & maker of the world-reknowned JEEP brand so every effort must be made to preserve its prestige, image and many connosieurs. And its AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't wanna see Ford beating us at our own game with the recently acquired Land Rover marque ( its British; sux majorly!!!!!!!!!!!! )
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: patrick I think the new kj is so ugly. What is up with it? They look like the Suzuki Vitara or whoever makes those. What happened to the boxy Cheerokes of the past? -patrick
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Todd Lappin Eeeeeeeeek! If this is the future of Jeep, then
my advice is to be afraid. Very afraid. The KJ
is not only wimpy, it is ugly. I bought a new XJ
last year (my first Jeep!), but there's no way I
would ever consider buying the KJ.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Jim L It appears that Jeep is wanting to up the sales of the Wrangler and this is a sure way of doing that. It is a shame that the long and proud history of Jeep will be made to endure new vehicle (whatever they call it). There is an old saying that if something isn't broken then don't fix it. Also, I think it is interesting that while Jeep talks about going to a V-6 engine that Chevrolet is going to produce an inline six for it SUV. A tried and true motor is a hard thing to find. If anyone at Chrysler-Damlier is listening, If you are set on producing this vehicle then call it a Chrysler and leave the Cherokee as it is (an American Icon),
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Griff Ha... where do I start. Well the path DC is going on really reflects who is leading the company. That picture with all of the body masking removed by means of digital stuff is pathetic. What is that? Start with a Geo Tracker, get the roof of a Dodge Durango, Fenders of a Jeep Wrangler, Front end of a Dahutsu Rocky, throw in some random Grand Vitara, Rav4, and Sportage and you have every soccer mom's dream the on road bred KJ (Krappy Jeep). Or should I call it Freedom, or Cherokee, or Dakar, I really don't know what the name of the month is for the KJ. Give them a month and enough irate Jeep owners later and maybe they'll finally call it a Chrysler. I think I am going to keep my 2000 XJ and trade in the 97 for the 2004 or 05, whatever the last year is they are going to make the XJ. As for Jeeps that will be the last new one I get as long as Jeeps keep getting more "trendy." My fellow Jeepers maybe its time we get back to the classics like the CJ's, Get a nice CJ-5, 7, or 8 and its as good as a TJ and it has more personality. Or maybe I am going to stick with my other 4x4 passion, Land Rovers. Oh well, long live what's left of the Jeep name.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Ken here is my comment
In 1999 I purchased a new Cherokee Sport 4x4. I purchased it because it
was not a cute-ute, tall car or 4x4 wannabe. I purchased it because it was a Jeep legend. It did not matter that it is nosier, rougher riding, less refined
or as the automotive rags like to say "an ancient design". With that said, when
I first seen the above photo I must admit that I was not put off by the looks.
Unlike some of the respondents, RAV-4, Suzuki Vitara or
-V were not the first
thoughts that came to mind. I first thought it looks more like the X-terra which
I think is a step above the aforementioned vehicles. Should it be a Jeep ? I
need to see, touch and drive it before I can make that call. Of course by the
time I am able to do that we will be stuck with it. It seem that if Jeep is unwilling to remain loyal to the jeep name and heritage of off road capabilities
GM and its expanding Hummer division will be waiting with open arms. Unlike
Jeep they don't seem to have a problem with a dual live axle, no holds bared
off road SUV. I have to wonder if we would be worrying about this if it were not
for the fact that the shots are being called in Germany.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Mark We only have ourselves to blame. We have changed our minds as a consumer so many times and brand loyalty is running down the drain. Enjoy the safety of yet another watered down sport cute (there is no utility in a vehicle that small). Wake up and demand more from this company. Until Jeep wakes up and starts making real Jeeps again, I'll be looking for a nice YJ for myself and an XJ for my wife.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Butch The KJ Looks like a Pitifully Tragic Cruiser to me. The word ugly has a picture next to it and it has to be that thing that should never disgrace a Jeep badge. Please let the Japanese automakers continue their historical trend of hideously bad designs without competition.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Griff I was looking around and check this story out. The name has already possibly changed from Freedom to Liberty. This further supports my name of the month assertion. Check the story out at: http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b102700.htm |
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: rich See previous reactions!
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