 More About the Liberty Renegade
Posted by mike on 2004/4/8 23:00:00 (277) reads
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Want a 4-door Wrangler? DC says get a Renegade.
Here's some more snippets from this week's announcements of the Liberty Renegade...
The new 2005 Jeep Liberty continues to expand the Jeep brand portfolio with its freshened exterior and interior design on Sport and Limited models, new Liberty Renegade design with unique exterior, as well as the addition of the first diesel engine in a compact SUV for North American markets.
Since its introduction, the Jeep Liberty has attracted nearly 75 percent new buyers to the Jeep brand, while still appealing to Jeep 4 x 4 owners.
"The Jeep Liberty proves that Jeep is a growth brand. We have expanded the number of new buyers who are attracted to our performance and heritage," said Jeff Bell, Chrysler Group Vice President – Jeep. "Depending on their needs, buyers have the opportunity to get the Jeep 4 x 4 capability in a very nicely equipped Liberty Sport or, opt for a more premium model with the Liberty Limited."
For 2005, the new Jeep Liberty Renegade will offer a distinct exterior when compared to the Sport and Limited models, and will appeal to a slightly different buyer with its more rugged design. The Jeep Liberty Renegade model will feature a new flatter hood and taller grille, plus off-road foglamps, taillamp guards, fender flares, available all-terrain tires and higher ground clearance.
“With the more dramatic design change to the new 2005 Liberty Renegade, we expect to broaden the appeal of the Liberty Renegade even more to those who may have longed for a four-door Wrangler,” said Bell.
In addition to the design changes, the Jeep Liberty will be offered with a new diesel engine option for the first time in North American markets. The newly revised 2.8-liter common rail diesel engine (CRD) gives buyers state-of-the-art technology to fit their lifestyle. The 2.8-liter CRD is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission on the 4 x 4 Jeep Liberty Sport and Jeep Liberty Limited models.
Providing class-leading torque and towing, the diesel engine will attract yet another buyer to the Jeep Liberty. The 2.8-liter CRD engine is rated at an estimated 160 horsepower (120 kW) at 3800 rpm and with 295 lb.-ft. (400 N.m) of torque at 1800 rpm for unmatched towing power. Diesel engines offer another option for increased torque, towing and range, while improving fuel economy an average of 25 percent and reducing CO2 emissions by an average of 20 percent.
Bell added, “Our new diesel engine gives you the performance of a V-6 with 25 percent better fuel economy. We always say Jeep is the go-anywhere, do-anything brand, and the new diesel gives our owners even more capability to do just that.”
New this year for gasoline versions of the Liberty is a six-speed manual transmission, which replaces the previous five-speed manual transmission. The new NSG 370 six-speed transmission offers improved quality and NVH specifications. It is available on 4 x 2 models and 4 x 4 Sport and Renegade models.
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: XJKEN I swear I only hit the submit button one time on my last post.
I like the changes to the Renegade but, I still would not buy one. If I were to get rid of the XJ it would be for a Wrangler but, I am not sure if it would be a Rubicon or the Unlimited. Now if they were to build a Unlimited Rubicon problem solved.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: carter "for those who may have longed for a 4-door wrangler." sounds like this is it then. no 4-door wrangler is coming down the pike.
The renegade is as close to a dakar as we will ever get. That hurts, DC.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: James Hash here is my comment
It's still a Libby.... Big deal.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Bowser Thanks Ken
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: XJKEN I stated here a while back that I thought every Jeep should have a flat hood to go with the 7 slot grill (not a fan of the lights into the hood look). Thats the hood and grill the Libby should of had at birth. Now, however it looks like the painted flares and bumpers are a thing of the past, I hate grey cladding. I wonder what a good paint shop would want to paint that stuff to match.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: XJKEN I stated here a while back that I thought every Jeep should have a flat hood to go with the 7 slot grill (not a fan of the lights into the hood look). Thats the hood and grill the Libby should of had at birth. Now, however it looks like the painted flares and bumpers are a thing of the past, I hate grey cladding. I wonder what a good paint shop would want to paint that stuff to match.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: XJKEN I stated here a while back that I thought every Jeep should have a flat hood to go with the 7 slot grill (not a fan of the lights into the hood look). Thats the hood and grill the Libby should of had at birth. Now, however it looks like the painted flares and bumpers are a thing of the past, I hate grey cladding. I wonder what a good paint shop would want to paint that stuff to match.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: xj Much improved aesthetically, but unfortunately no manual transmission on the
D as the rest of the world is receiving. Why not DC? Why won’t you provide a nice simple Liberty with
D, manual transmission, vinyl floor mats, manual windows – an easy-to-maintain high-mpg utilitarian vehicle, for those of us who reside in rural communities, that will deal with daily rigors of travel on dirt roads. We still constitute a statistically significant portion of the population and simply don’t need automatic everything. Please, just build one version of the Liberty to the standards for which Jeep was once renowned.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: DE Nice modification with the removal of the bulbous hood. Now, my only suggestion would be to open up the space between the front fender flares and the bumper like on the Wrangler.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: xjgary No more frog eyes! Yes, it looks much better. Now how about a solid axle option? I wish they could sell the
D engine in California. It would be nice if they would add some length to the baggage compartment the next time they do a re-design.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Gene I love the new Diesel, but, I will never buy one. They screwed it up for me by not making a Manual transmission version. I buy Jeeps because of where they can go, and because of the control I can have over the vehicle while going there. I have never had that kind of control with an automatic. If anyone wants to begin a SUV company made for real men that are going places, I would be happy to sign on to the design team.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: J'41 Its only a slight improvement, I can barely tell the difference- still girly AND VERY VERY BLAND!
Lets just get Jeep to make the RESCUE and we will call it even.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Doc Savage here is my comment
Gotta agree with others. If DC thinks that those of us wishing for a 4 door Wrangler would by this piece of junk, they better think again. I've been wishing for the Dakar concept to be built since its inception (well add a soft top). The unlimited is much closer to a 4 door wrangler than the renegade libby. I've been very open minded and lead a trail ride with one of the first libby's that were reviewed offroad. The libby did better than I expected, however it didn't come close to a stock XJ or TJ.
Robert
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Cory Just slapping a stinking badge on it does not make it a "Jeep". Damn it DC, Get a clue! Hire the the crew at AEV to come on and design Jeeps for you. Look HARD at the Brut. Fire the College fratpack you have trying to peddle this crap. The Unlimited is nice, but only ALMOST. You missed the boat on that one too. Bet you guys screw up on the Rescue. Having said that. The Libby Renegade is getting closer. The CDR is a great idea. The front looks good. But "close" and "almost" don't cut it. Pay attention to Jeep drivers. I have two Wranglers in my drive now and I am buying my wife a 2004 Wrangler X next week in Orlando.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Craig I do like the look. Of course, it would also be nicer to be able to fit some more agressive tires under it. BTW, does anyone know if the
D Libby will tow any more than the standard gas version?
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Phillyeagle Hi,
Its high time that Jeep offers diesel engines. Even the
CJ-7 was offered in Europe with a diesel many moons
ago. Too bad its only in the Liberty as I find it too small
as a long trip platform. I like the new design but design
is not that important to me. I agree with the note above
about the Rubicon Unlimited. I am foaming at the
mouth thinking about that one being offered with the
diesel. Only the Jeep Rescue could top that for me. As
for the Liberty, I think its a good all purpose truck that
fits current trends, but in many ways, its a compromise.
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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 E Bye here is my comment
Am I missing something, or does it appear that you cannot get the
D in the Renegade (at least at this time)?
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Clueless DC is not the one that needs to get a clue here. There is not a big enough market for AEV-type vehicles out there. Also, you have to take the government, the insurance industry and all of the other anti-SUV wacko groups into account as well. If Jeep sold the Brute or any other AEV type vehicle from the factory, it would be the CJ-5 "rollover" issue all over again. Leave the hard-core mods to the after market. Jeep needs to build vehicles that appeal to both hard-cores and the masses. It is vehicles like the KJ and the WK that generate the revenue necessary to allow Jeep to build things like the Rubicon without them costing $40,000+. Jeep is taking the right approach by building vehicles that are still the most capable in their class and price range. Jeep needs to be the middle ground between high-volume, low capabilty SUVs (ie Ford, Chevy, Japs, etc...) and the over-priced luxury mostly for show SUVs (ie Hummers, Land Rovers, etc...) I for one want Jeeps to remain affordable and capable whatever that takes!
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: rb if you think slapping a wrangler-esque front-end onto the
liberty makes it more like a real jeep, you're clueless. it
seems that the designers at jeep really have no clue as to
what makes a jeep a jeep. it's almost like their bullpen of
designers is made up of new college grads or something.
no sense of history or what the competition is doing
design-wise to make a jeep look like it can carry on the
name. the simple, square, boxyness of the jeep style from
the beginning is what has drawn people to this brand from
a design perspective. i hear so many people talk about how
they wrecked the liberty by not continuing the cherokee
lines. the dodge brand is so vague outside of their trucks
that they start to look like these re-release designs for the
liberty and GC. I think the uniqueness of the brand is
diminishing and hope that the direction changes soon.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: jon How can anyone not like the front end of this?
It looks like a Wrangler all the way. I am guessing they will try this for a year on the Renagade and then give this new front end to all Liberty's in the future.
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