2008 Jeep® Liberty - All-new From the Ground Up
New
York, Apr 4, 2007 - The Jeep® Liberty has remained a leader in the
mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) market since its introduction in
2002. The popular mid-size SUV gives off-road enthusiasts and owners
their own sense of personal freedom and capability that only defines the
Jeep brand.All-new from the ground up for 2008, the Jeep Liberty
remains true to its legendary 4x4 heritage by offering two Jeep Trail
Rated® four-wheel-drive systems - Command-Trac® and the all-new
Selec-Trac® II. On-road ride and handling have been improved and refined
with the new independent front suspension, new five-link rear suspension
and rack-and-pinion steering.
The Liberty's exterior has been redesigned, and
takes on a more rugged, classic Jeep look that is
sure to captivate the attention of current Jeep
Liberty owners and broaden its consumer appeal.
Inside, cargo and storage space increases and seat
comfort improves. Making its world debut is the new
Sky Slider full-open canvas roof, an
industry-exclusive; giving the Jeep Liberty that
"Only in a Jeep" open-air experience. Remote start,
rain-sensing wipers, memory seats and mirrors, and
express up/down windows are added to the vehicle's
ever-growing list of available features and options.
There are two models - Jeep Liberty Sport and Jeep
Liberty Limited.
"The all-new
2008 Jeep Liberty stands out from the competition by offering customers
classic Jeep design, two four-wheel-drive systems, refined on-road ride
and handling, cargo and utility, as well as features that are not
typically found on vehicles in the mid-size SUV segment," said George
Murphy, Senior Vice President - Global Marketing, Chrysler Group.
The
all-new Jeep Liberty is designed to appeal to customers who are looking
for Jeep 4x4 capability as well as comfort and convenience. It is
targeted to young couples and new families, as well as professional,
young single men and women between 30 and 40 years of age, balanced male
to female. Jeep Liberty owners will balance day-to-day responsibilities
with their passion for adventure as well as the outdoors. They are
athletic, and pursue activities that combine their various interests
with their active lifestyle. The Jeep Liberty will be available at Jeep
dealerships starting in the third quarter of 2007.
Engineering
The all-new 2008
Jeep Liberty offers a balance of off-road capability and on-road
refinement.
-
All-new independent front suspension,
all-new five-link rear suspension, and a power rack-and-pinion steering
system contribute to the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty's blend of on-road
ride comfort and nimble, confidence-inspiring handling
- Two four-wheel-drive systems - all-new
Selec-Trac II, full-time four-wheel-drive system and Command-Trac, a
part-time four-wheel-drive system - both are Jeep Trail Rated
- The 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine provides
the 2008 Jeep Liberty with competitive peak power and torque while
providing smooth, quiet operation and proven durability. It produces 210
hp (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 Nm) of torque @ 4,000 rpm.
Fuel economy has been improved and now achieves an estimated *16 city
(18 mpg using 2007 EPA standards), and *22 mpg on the highway (23 mpg
based on 2007 EPA standards).
- Two transmissions are offered on the
Jeep Liberty in the United States: a six-speed manual transmission and a
four-speed automatic transmission
- The 2008 Jeep Liberty was designed and
engineered under the Chrysler Development System (CDS), the
comprehensive, coordinated and disciplined product creation process that
improves quality and speed-to-market while reducing costs and
encouraging practical innovation in new products
Design
In its first
redesign since its introduction, the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty embraces
its roots by taking on a more rugged, classic Jeep design that is
guaranteed to strengthen its draw to current owners and broaden its
appeal to a new audience.
-
Jeep classic exterior styling and
functional interior space are designed to broaden its consumer appeal
- Industry-exclusive Sky Slider full-open
canvas roof brings "Only in a Jeep" open-air experience to mid-size SUV
market
- Cargo capacity increases and front and
rear passengers will notice the improved seat comfort along with added
space
Safety and Security
The 2008 Jeep
Liberty has a full range of active and passive safety systems. Among the
vehicle's standard equipment are Electronic Stability Program,
Electronic Roll Mitigation, All-speed Traction Control, Brake Assist,
advanced anti-lock brakes, rain sensing wipers, Tire Pressure
Monitoring, and side-curtain air bags.
Technology
The 2008 Jeep
Liberty offers the MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System a completely
integrated audio, navigation, entertainment and hands-free communication
system. MyGIG allows customers to use touch screen or voice commands to
control features, and includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive where music and
photos can be stored. The system also includes a voice-memo recorder
feature. MyGIG supports real-time traffic information, available through
SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and can provide an alternate drive route based
on traffic conditions. All of these functions can be controlled through
voice commands and by utilizing a touch screen.
SIRIUS Satellite
Radio provides U.S. customers with 130 channels, including 100 percent
commercial-free music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and
weather. And the UConnect® hands-free communication system uses
Bluetooth® technology to provide wireless communication between the
customer's compatible mobile phone and the vehicle's on-board receiver.
Manufacturing
The 2008 Jeep
Liberty will be built using Chrysler Group's modern production process,
called the Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS). FMS allows multiple
products to be produced at one plant in a time-efficient manner that are
a higher quality for lower cost. At the core of the new manufacturing
process is the heavy use of robots at the Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly
Plant.
The Jeep Brand
Today, with the
all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty mid-size SUV, Jeep offers customers the
freshest, most capable and widest range of sport-utility vehicles under
one brand in the industry.
The Jeep vehicle
family consists of seven SUVs that represent four distinct vehicle
segments. In late 2006, production began on the newest member of the
lineup, the all-new Jeep Patriot. Earlier that year was the debut of the
redesigned Jeep Wrangler two-door, the icon of the brand; the all-new
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the first-ever four-door Wrangler; and the
all-new Jeep Compass. The Jeep Commander - the first Jeep vehicle with
seven-passenger seating - was introduced one year earlier. It shares its
platform with the Grand Cherokee, a descendent of the Wagoneer and the
legendary Grand Wagoneer.