2008 Jeep Liberty "UNMASKED"

ALLPAR.COM - - For 2008, the Liberty is moving to a “baby Commander” look, gaining some length and mainly getting the squared-off, Land Rover/Hummer look. The headlights and turn signals are, as with the Commander, separate units behind a rectangular plastic housing. The glass has been trimmed, and it appears that the roof has been lowered; seats seem to be the more comfortable yet thinner new design from the Compass; and the fancy new stereos/nav systems should be available. The cargo area has been expanded. It appears that only the 3.7 liter V6 will be available, and that the four speed automatic will carry forward, so the four cylinder and stick-shift may have been dropped; a diesel is expected to return for late availability. We’re not sure, but the 4-liter V6 may replace the 3.7 or be available as an option. We don’t think the six-speed automatic used on the Pacifica would show up on the Liberty. (The 3.8 engine used on the new Wrangler is also possible.) Any of these engines would last until 2010-2012, when the Phoenix series will replace them.

Overall, the Liberty will incorporate a number of changes and improvements engineered into the Dodge Nitro, while increasing its off-road worthiness. Expected features including an Electronic Stability Program with Electronic Roll Mitigation, hill descent control, the Load ’n Go rear cargo slide out system (also seen in the Nitro), rear DVD video, and remote start installed at the factory.

Glenn Paulina wrote:

We caught the 2008 Jeep Liberty in an unintentional state of undress, revealing the revamped Jeep without camouflage for the very first time. We spotted our first Liberty prototype about one month ago, but it had some fairly thorough disguising covering the front fascia, its front and rear fenders,and its D-pillar. With its camo in place, the Liberty prototype looked a lot like its Dodge Nitro platform-mate, but in this undisguised state, it's clear that the next Liberty's Jeep DNA will show through loud and clear.

We can now see that the Liberty's fender are aggressively flared and appropriately angular (unlike the smoothly rounded wheel arches on the Nitro), in order to look at home alongside its rugged brothers (Wrangler, Commander, etc.). The '08 Liberty's headlights, and front and rear bumpers are very squared-off and chiseled (much like the Commander, though edgier), and the overall look is much more masculine than the softer-edged lines of the current model.

The above comparison was made much easier since a supplier conveniently parked this undisguised prototype nose-to-tail with a current Liberty. The comparative profiles also reveal the new Liberty's upsized stature, both in wheelbase and overall length, benefiting passengers and cargo capacity alike. The extra space has also enabled the next Liberty's undercarriage to be repackaged to make room for a spare tire placed beneath the rear bumper, instead of perched on the tailgate, as it is on the current model. The change allows the '08 model to have a conventional hatchback design instead of the left-hinged, swing-out tailgate that graces today's Liberty.

Brenda Priddy added: The photos above were shot at street level and may have overlooked one of the most interesting features that will be offered on the new Liberty: A huge retractable fabric roof!

When we first started inquiring about the upcoming Liberty, our sources seemed to switch subjects and asked us if we saw the ASC Cosmos Hummer H3 that was shown at the 2006 NAIAS. With that in mind, our focus on a camouflaged Liberty was from above, paying special attention to the roof. And sure enough, the roof had unique camouflage covering what apparently is Jeep’s biggest secret: a fabric roof system, which will put the Liberty in a class of its own.

Although we can’t confirm the designer and supplier of the retractable roof, there is good indication that ASC is involved in the development.

The new Liberty, internally know by the code name KK, will start down the production line in July of 2007. There will be two V6 offerings:

a 3.7-liter as the base engine, and an optional 4.0-liter powerplant, with a new diesel engine available in late in the 2008 model year, or possibly for 2009. The 2008 Liberty will also have the Load N' Go sliding cargo system that debuted in the Dodge Nitro. Also expected are such features as stability control and hill decent assist.

Another major change is the spare tire moving from the tailgate to under the vehicle. It will still have a 2 piece tailgate however, with the glass being able to lift up independently from the gate. And, although we couldn’t get a picture, we saw that the tailgate also lifts up now, instead of to the side.

And although some may think of the new Liberty as Jeep’s version of the Nitro (or vice-versa), the Liberty will prove to be more off-roadcapable than the Nitro, giving it rights to the Jeep nameplate.