 2008 Liberty Details? |
I was invited to a marketing / research clinic for the 2008 Liberty. It looks teriffic, but it’s a different design philosophy than the current, rounded theme. It’s got a “baby Commander” look, but changed enough so that it still looks like a Liberty. It’s a good 6 or 7" longer (with no spare tire on the back). The front end is a GREAT version of the Commander’s nose - and it seems to work better on the new Liberty than on the Commander. The headlights & turn signals are multi-lens units behind a large, rectangular plastic housing. There are small air vents about 1" tall and 6" long where the side of the hood wraps over to meet the very back of the front fender - just under the A-Pillar. The vents on the prototype were not functional.
The side profile has a glass / greenhouse that is nowhere near as tall as the current model’s kind of exaggerated tall glass. Think Hummer H3 side glass, only taller. The fender flares are still there and still trademark KJ. The rear end is very updated, clean, modern and has no spare on the back. It may have been a bit of an optical illusion, but the front wheels look like they are really pushed forward more than on the current model. Definitely not an overhang problem!
The interior is simple, but feels MUCH wider than the current KJ. They also had a Limited trim level that was pretty luxurious due to all the options. While sitting in it, you immediately notice that it does not have that “sitting on top of the world” view of the current KJ, but still has a good view over the hood. You notice a loss of headroom - either that or they had the seat cranked up to its highest position (you weren’t supposed to move it). The dash uses the current, DCX radio / navigation systems from the Grand Cherokee. The gauges are basic. The plastic on the door panels didn’t look as nice as what the current KJ has - it was more like a Chrysler 300C’s door panels. The back seat is much more comfortable and made for humans with normal spines.
Cargo area is definitely larger due to the added length, but they wouldn’t let you fold the seats down to see if they fold flat, etc. I did see extra power outlets in the cargo area as I was nosing around.
The only engine mentioned was the 3.7L V-6 and 4-speed automatic. No mention of a CRD or a manual.
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| Jeepin | Posted: 2006/7/27 10:27 Updated: 2006/7/27 10:27 |
Home away from home   Joined: 2005/11/28 From: TX Posts: 187 |
 Re: 2008 Liberty Details?I really don't see the new Liberty competing all that much with the Patriot/Compass or the Grand Cheroke/Commander.
The Compass is clearly aimed at women, the Patriot is aimed at men. They're built off the same platform, so having a 'his' and 'hers' version should allow them to sell more overall than if they had a single design that bland appeal to either gender. The MK twins have no real towing capacity, and are smaller and lower than the Liberty/Nitro. The Liberty will continue on in its current market segment. The new MK twins will compete in a different segment. There may be a slight overlap, but Toyota and Honda both have overlapping vehicles that do very well. On the very low end of the scale, the Liberty might compete with the Grand Cherokee and Commander, but the WK/XK both offer E85 V8's and now a diesel, neither of which are available on the Liberty now. Not to mention more luxury options and status appeal. |
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| jason | Posted: 2006/7/26 12:39 Updated: 2006/7/26 12:39 |
Just can't stay away  Joined: 2005/6/30 From: glendale,az Posts: 91 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? I have heard the same thing from a inside source that has already seen the 2008-2009 vehicles. The liberty will leave its wrangler inspired design and fit between a patriot and grand cherokee...make sense a upscale and v6 powered patriot like liberty.
Jason. |
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| CanJeepYJ | Posted: 2006/7/25 16:43 Updated: 2006/7/25 16:43 |
Just can't stay away  Joined: 2005/7/18 From: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 90 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? In calendar 2007, the 10 or so debuts will likely be:
2008 Dodge Hybrid Durango..................(???, 2007) 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel..........(January 15, 2007) 2008 Dodge Viper coupe (ZB)................(January 9, 2007) 2008 Dodge Viper vert (ZB)...................(January 9, 2007) 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible.........(February 26, 2007) 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4......................(March, 2007) 2008 Chrysler/Dodge minivans (RT).......(July 3, 2007) 2008 Chrysler/Dodge minivans (RT).......(Sept 4, 2007) 2008 Dodge Crossover (JC49)................(Sept 17, 2007) 2008 Jeep Liberty (KK)..........................(3Q, 2007) Just as a note....WKjeeps.com has some typos on the Liberty KK generation. Production start date is 2007 NOT 2008. |
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| Hereismyco | Posted: 2006/7/25 14:43 Updated: 2006/7/25 14:43 |
Just popping in  Joined: 2006/5/22 From: Posts: 19 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? I don't understand at all the need for the Compass, Patriot, Liberty, and 4 door Wrangler and even Nitro from one company at the same time. This makes no sense, especially hearing that this new Liberty souns like it would be a direct competition with the 4 door wrangler. Jeep should just have the Commander, Wrangler, 4 Door Wrangler, and call this new one a new Cherokee to replace the current Grand Cherokee.
They should scrap the current Grand Cherokee, the hideous Compass, and their plans for the Patriot altogether. They make no sense at all. UTTERLY! |
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| ENBr | Posted: 2006/7/25 14:14 Updated: 2006/7/25 14:20 |
Just popping in Joined: 2006/7/17 From: Posts: 20 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? Shame Jeep are moving away from serious offroad looks (ie. tyre on boot for starters), and lower profile. I assume they're turning into yet another characterless piece of machinery, not unlike most modern american cars.
Get rid of the Compass, and keep the numbers of different Jeep models to a maximum of 4. |
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| jeepxk | Posted: 2006/7/25 14:13 Updated: 2006/7/25 14:14 |
Just can't stay away Joined: 2005/7/13 From: Peoria Posts: 148 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? Since the new Dodge Nitro is being made at the same plant as the old Liberty I would guess that the new Liberty will be very similar in size and shape as the Nitro. Look at the Nitro and squint a little. Give it Jeep fenders, Jeep grill and headlights(round or square) and there you go. What the XJ Cherokee replacement should of been only 6 years later.
You have baby Jeeps (Mr. Partriot & Ms. Compass), Teen Jeeps (Ms. Liberty and Mr. Wrangler) Mama Jeep (Ms. Grand Cherokee) and Papa Jeep (Mr. Commander) It's all GOOD! |
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| AferVentus | Posted: 2006/7/25 13:55 Updated: 2006/7/25 13:55 |
Not too shy to talk  Joined: 2006/5/3 From: Minnesota Posts: 36 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? My only fear is that you make it sound like the new Patriot. Then Jeep would be competing with itself. I have also noticed on this site that has a few prelimanary options. Nothing too shocking.
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| RUBICON | Posted: 2006/7/25 13:21 Updated: 2006/7/25 13:21 |
Home away from home Joined: 2005/7/13 From: Chandler, AZ Posts: 357 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? Of course this is just a preliminary design and could be nothing like the production vehicle.
One thing that points at this is the mention of the 3.7L engine. It was announced on Monday that DCX is working to build one modular V6 to replace five of it's current V6 engines. |
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| jpsmith | Posted: 2006/7/25 13:13 Updated: 2006/7/25 13:13 |
Just can't stay away Joined: 2006/7/25 From: Posts: 88 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? So, I'm guessing it was under NDA, huh? I'd love to see some pics. Does it maintain round headlights and the classic jeep look of the wrangler & current kj renegade / rme?
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| BillyG | Posted: 2006/7/25 11:39 Updated: 2006/7/25 12:15 |
Just popping in Joined: 2005/10/4 From: Posts: 9 |
Re: 2008 Liberty Details? Im glad Jeep's getting away from the cute toy look the original Liberty had and giving it a tougher look. They still need a american diesel for it..
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