Another "Fan" I see..joe(one who doesn't believe in Free Speech)...Lighten up!

I wanted to share a story with everyone about a sighting at the Michigan Dunes near Silver Lake...
I was scouting around the sand dunes about a week ago, when I saw a heavily disguised off road vehicle (the typical spy shot body-bra disguising)
cruising the sand dunes.
I drove up to get a better look, and had a chat with the drivers.
While they wouldn't acknowledge who they worked for, the vehicle I observed was shorter, wider, lower overall,but with higher ground clearance than My TJ.
They stated that the car was a developmental test mule, more for technology testing than actual production, but they also stated that the technology they were testing would see production by 2006/07.
While they didn't offer too much information, they weren't shy about letting me look. Here is what I saw in the minute or so that I looked at this vehicle...
A flat belly pan, with no underside protrusions...I became skeptical when I didn't see any drive shafts...the suspension was a very beefy 4 wheel independent suspension with what appeared to be portal hubs inside approximately 22 inch wheels...A peek inside the interior gave four jeep-aftermarket seats and a very spartan interior, but more importantly, a COMPLETE ABSENCE of a transmission tunnel and driveshaft hump. When I asked what kind of drivetrain the vehicle had, they became somewhat quiet. I thought that the engine was off, but when I leaned on the body to inquire a little more I felt a faint but distinct HUM. The vehicle sounded like no other car, even the quietest car at idle makes some noise. When I nearly begged them to come clean, they would only say that the vehicle is the future of off-roading, emissions, mileage, and despite all the complaints that off-roaders have been making about straight axles dissappearing, this is the future of off-roading. Finally I pestered them as to what kind of engine was in there, they would not say. but when I asked them if it was a STERLING engine, the "boss" said it was time to go hastily, and the vehicle zipped away with little more that a high-pitched whine...
Could this be the mystery 'scout' vehicle, or more importantly, the new Wrangler? Here is what I think. This vehicle was quiet, even as it sped away. The very low tone hum is typical of a STERLING engine (A STERLING engine is an external combustion engine, not internal) With the absence of driveshafts, transmission tunnels, and driveshaft humps, the drivetrain must be a dual front/rear version of the TTR (through the road) system, with the STIRLING engine (sorry, the last two spellings were wrong, but I can't edit it now) acting as some sort of hybrid genset. While I dont know if this vehicle was a DC product, the license plate read TREE-O as it sped away (a joking reference to the recent TREO fuel cell concept car) Is this the direction the Wrangler is heading? I think it is. Dont get me wrong, the vehicle looked stout and tough, but i'm afraid it won't be what people want out of a Jeep, if that is what this vehicle really was...Ron

I guess if they're short diesels for the Liberty we won't be seeing them soon in a TJ. Bummer. I could see more torque (towing) and better mileage, say in a TJ Unlimited Rubicon model, but I just don't want a Liberty.

Douglas,
Please go out and buy a Hummer so I don't have to read your comments on this web site anymore!

The Escape Hybrid can only tow 1000 lbs while the Liberty Diesel will come close to it in fuel economy an dstill tow 5000+ lbs. Towing capacity just does not come with hybrids like it does with diesels, though diesels are still fuel-swillers, and I think that's a big reason why this thing is a hot commodity.

Ya, give me a diesel unlimited rubicon and I would buy one today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

granted that the supply of engines is probably somewhat fixed,
even at this point.. chrysler said that initally, they were only
going to produce 5K for the us in 05. With the remaining 45K
going to the rest of the world... If they can get 50K of the 2.8
diesels delivered on that kind of a schedule, they should be able
to bump the production of that engine somewhat.. Later
statements that they would NOT keep production down would
suggest that they CAN increase numbers, at least somewhat.

clearly, the interest over here among technical folks is high. I'd
actually consider one for our first new vehicle purchase, ever.

I hope like hell they don't fsck this one up; it's taken this long
for diesels to recover from GM's last gentle attentions.

Then again, I could always get serious about dropping one of
the 3.9 isuzu engines into a YJ... ;-)

cheer

A diesel Dakar would be nice, as would a diesel scrambler, and a diesel unlimited.

Is Douglas going postal?

This is off topic and I don't want to sound like Douglas.
However, look at the new h3 at
www.gminsidenews.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=
6818

I get the point....FO all the geeks on here....MY YJ is better than yours anyway...You people on here are boring anyway.......F***in LOSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!bye

here is my comment

Don't feed the trolls.

I do suspect 5,000 units is a bit on the low side, but then again, Jeep has to consider several factors:

1) There is no competition in the small SUV class in the US for diesel equiped vehicles.
2) Past performance of diesel vehicles in the US has been poor in sales.
3) Some education and retooling for Jeep dealerships and their mechanics to handle diesel repair.
4) Most Liberty's are purchased by women. (I'm not being sexist, and I'm sure there are some women that will want the diesel too, but on average, there are less women interested in the type of engine used compared to men.)

I think Jeep is somewhat smart to take it slow and make sure they have it right. Hopefully by the time the TK (Wrangler TJ replacement) and the Scout (mini-Wrangler) appear, the diesel option will be more common.

At least Jeep is coming out with a diesel option. What other small SUV in Liberty's price range gives you that choice? For once Jeep might be ahead of the competition.

With losers like Jeff Bell running the joint.....NO WONDER Jeep is going outa business.....DUH!!!!!!!

Put Jeep back in the hands of people like Bob Lutz....or even Ford....These brainiacs cannot manage a paper bag.......

I can definately see a HUMMER in my future........

We've been sold-out for months
Australia-wide - and we won't get any more
until Christmas!!
Jeep's onto a winner.