Spy Shots: 2008 Jeep Liberty
The .38 caliber lenses of KGP have shot another vehicle wide out in the open, and this time the 2008 Jeep Liberty has found itself in the photog's sights. Caught without any camoflauge, we can clearly see the next Jeep Liberty is going to take its styling cues from the Commander, with very tall, vertical headlights up front flanking that familiar six-bar grille. We can also see that the Liberty embraces the Commander's boxy shape, giving the entire vehicle a more upright posture and likely increasing interior dimensions in every measure. A longer wheelbase and longer rear overhang are particularly noticeable. Other noticeable changes include the relocation of the spare from the tailgate to under the vehicle, which allows for a rear hatch that lifts vertically instead of swinging out. All of these are benefits that come from the Liberty sharings its platform with the new Dodge Nitro, itself a larger SUV than the current Liberty. In terms of mechanicals, Allpar.com is guessing both the four-cylinder engine and manual transmission have been dropped, leaving only the 3.7-liter V6 and four-speed automatic to carry the Liberty forward. New electronic nannies also found on the Nitro like ESP with Electronic Roll Mitigation and hill descent control will also likely be available or included on the new Liberty. Finally, the interior is expected to move upmarket with the option for a satellite nav system, rear seat DVD, factory remote start and even the Load 'n Go cargo slide out system found on the Nitro.
Though we've never been a fan of the Commander's styling, we at least respected it for being a true Jeep that can tackle the Rubicon while banging the heads of seven people on board. We have to say, after introducing the decidedly soft Patriot and Compass models, we can get behind a Liberty that returns to the brand's tough roots in terms of styling. These no nonsense, slab-sided designs coming out of Jeep may not be a hit on the runways of Rodeo Drive, but their utilitarian style speaks clearly to their intended audience of weekend adventurers.
[Source: Allpar.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Juan 11:05AM (10/17/2006)
Hmm... not bad, but not that great either. The concept sounded good from John's description, but the front grill on that thing just doesn't materialize the way I was hoping it would.
At least it got rid of the "cute" styling. The Compass has got that covered now.
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roadside observer 11:18AM (10/17/2006)
Good. This is how a Jeep should look - not as overwrought as the Commander, not like the cartoonish styling of the current Liberty, and certainly not like the pantywaist Compass and Patriot. Kudos to Jeep for getting this one right. Now, could you please put the Compass and Patriot out of their misery?
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BLS 2:14PM (10/17/2006)
you might want to count the slots on the grill of jeeps one more time. They all have 7, this is not something new.
So, liberty replaced cherokee, this looks like an evolution on the cherokee rather than the liberty.
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Bret 11:54AM (10/17/2006)
Looks to be very much in the footsteps (tire tracks?) of the OG Jeep Cherokee - boxy, slab-sided, utilitarian and very Jeepish. I know lots of people who love the old Cherokees and much prefer them to the new "soft" Jeeps. This update to the Liberty should keep the faithful happy.
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Tool 12:09PM (10/17/2006)
" . . . We can clearly see the next Jeep Liberty is going to take its styling cues from the Commander"
Great Idea! The Commander has been a huge commercial success. LOL
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mr 8:47PM (10/17/2006)
Wow. The squared-off headlights are so... AMC/Renault.
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iQuack 12:31PM (10/17/2006)
How many Jeep variants does Chrysler need?
There seems to be a new Jeep model being introduced every week and the differences among them aren't that great.
Is Jeep creating too many confusing models? I think so.
Add the Dodge versions of these things and the confusion gets worse.
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Kowell 12:35PM (10/17/2006)
Just flush the Liberty and the Patriot and bring back the old Cherokee Sport
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Michael Karesh 1:07PM (10/17/2006)
The styling will help, as many people were turned off by the cuteness of the Liberty. I am concerned about the chassis revisions if they resemble those for the Nitro, though. The current Liberty rides and handles significantly better than the Nitro.
It's hard to tell from the photos, but I hope those door openings are higher than those in the Nitro. I found it a challenge not to bang my head when getting into the Nitro.
My full review of the disappointing Dodge:
http://www.epinions.com/content_262027710084
The new Wrangler, on the other hand, is impressive, if only for the nifty new roof.
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Howard Kerr 1:13PM (10/17/2006)
After "trying" rectangular headlights for a few years on the Wrangler, and before that, the old Cherokee, I thought Jeep had decided that round headlights were retro and part of it's design "language?" The current Wrangler and out-going Liberty have round headlights. But then the Commander and now the Liberty are ditching round headlights.
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Ken 1:56PM (10/17/2006)
I hope DCX decides to spend more than $1.52 on the interior for a change. Not just the Liberty, but on EVERY model they build.
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spencermfi 4:21PM (10/17/2006)
They're wisely moving away from the current Skeletor inspired front-end.
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Shelby GT 3:37PM (10/17/2006)
It looks like they went backwards in styling.
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Jro 3:27PM (10/17/2006)
I think that the Patriot, Liberty and Commander are going to make a great trio. They all differentiate themselves yet maintain a like image - that of the XJ Cherokee. With the Wrangler as an icon vehicle and the Compass as a way to get new customers to consider the Jeep brand, I think they will all equal success for DaimlerChrysler.
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Morrinn 3:32PM (10/17/2006)
Haha! That's awesome, the European version of the Liberty is badged as a Cherokee here anyway, and now we'll have classic Cherokee styling also. Love that look.
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Sean 4:24PM (10/17/2006)
Now they need to change the name back to Cherokee and the Liberty mistake will be forgotten.
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Nick 10:23PM (10/17/2006)
BLS, I was thinking the same thing, but then I realized they said "6 bar" grill. I think they're counting the 6 bars inbetween the 7 slots. Traditionally, I've seen it referred to as the "7 slot" grill, as well.
Re: The round headlights versus square headlights, it's really only a Wrangler issue, not a Jeep issue. Cherokee's/Wagoneers/etc. have had square headlights for eons.
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Tyler 6:26PM (10/17/2006)
I own a 2002 Jeep Liberty sport and I absolutely love it. I cant say I really like this new look. It may look more like an offroading machine but having it share the same platform as the nitro scares me a little bit, because although not many people take their liberties off road i dont klnow that the nitro will be able to just as it used too... but who knows.
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jason 10:53AM (10/18/2006)
The new look has een very positive on the net!!! Its a theme that will cary jeep to the top for suv buyers!!! Square headlights??? Very claasic design for jeep and they are round inside the glass squares!!
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drip 12:58AM (10/18/2006)
Hey it's an EXPLORER!
Nice job Jeep. Not.
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