Jeep Liberty

After some eight years, an entirely new model joins the Jeep line-up. It combines the traditional Jeep attributes with new ones which the modern generation of SUV (4WD sport-utility vehicles) buyers expect. The design takes themes previously seen in the Dakar and Jeepster concept vehicles and thus has short front and rear overhangs and a very upright profile to deliver efficient space-utilization, high seating position and prominent road presence.

In developing the Liberty’s style, the designers and engineers executed the design with great finesse and attention to detail. One place this can be seen is in the jeweled lamp lenses. The panel fits of the flares to the fenders and fascias were carefully designed using CATIA (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application) to ensure the execution looks like one continuous piece.

“This new Jeep stands apart from the new generation of less capable compact SUVs”, claims Rich Schaum, Executive Vice President – Product Development and Quality & General Manager Passenger Car Operations, DaimlerChrysler Corporation which owns the Jeep brand through its merger with Chrysler two years ago. “The all-new Liberty stands alone in the world market because it combines legendary Jeep capability that our customers have come to expect with superior on-road refinement to broaden our buyer base even further.”

PETROL AND DIESEL ENGINES
The new Liberty was engineered with a wide array of new features that are said to make it equally capable on virtually any terrain. Under the bonnet is a newly-developed SOHC 3.7-litre V6 which is based on the 4.7-litre V8 which powers the Grand Cherokee. This new engine features a 90-degree even-firing V-6, cast iron block and bedplate, aluminium cylinder heads and a balance shaft. Its output is 157 kW/210 bhp at 5200 rpm with maximum torque of 305 Nm at 4000 rpm. Manual or automatic transmissions are available.

To broaden its appeal globally, the Liberty will also be available with a new 2.5-litre Direct Injection 4-cylinder Turbodiesel which has a cast-iron cylinder block and a one-piece aluminum cylinder head with 16-valves. The output for this engine is 105 kW/140 bhp at 4000 rpm and torque is 343 Nm at 1800 rpm. For improved performance and fuel efficiency, the engine uses belt-driven overhead cams, direct fuel injection and counter-rotating balance shafts. Vehicles equipped with this engine also have a viscous heater system to supplement passenger compartment heat.

INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION
An all-new Jeep-engineered coil sprung independent front suspension has been developed for the Liberty which offers generous 203 mm travel. Sturdy, cast iron lower and forged steel upper control arms coupled to a cast iron steering knuckle with permanently lubricated ball joints provide a stable base for the front suspension. Such a design not only enhances robustness and durability but also improves the ride over rough surfaces due to reduced unsprung vehicle weight.

GRAND CHEROKEE REAR SUSPENSION
Forsaking the more traditional leafspring rear suspension of earlier Jeeps, the Liberty uses a link-coil rear suspension similar to that found under the Grand Cherokee. Apart from the coil springs having less static and dynamic friction, the rear configuration also has a roll centre closer to the vehicle’s centre of gravity to reduce body lean during cornering. The trailing A-shaped upper arm’s sturdy, box section construction, tuned to provide extremely high stiffness, helps isolate axle and road noise. Box section lower control arms provide exceptional durability. Progressive rate springs in the standard suspension system provide a consistently comfortable ride and help maintain controlled handling under varying load conditions.

INNOVATIVE REAR DOOR
For quick and easy access to the cargo area, the Liberty features a patented single-action swing rear door/flipper glass system. The rear door opens from the kerbside of the vehicle for safety and a unique pull-type latch mechanism makes the opening of the glass section and swing door an intuitive, one-motion operation. Jeep says that this is an easier operation than other SUVs which require multiple steps because pulling the release handle performs both operations, as the latch includes a detent to separate the functions. Pressing the cargo door button on the keyless entry transmitter or turning the key in the swing door lock also opens the glass window.

’REFINED’ SAFETY
Well aware that today’s buyers are demanding greater safety in their vehicles, Jeep engineers have given greater attention to this aspect. Its sturdy construction uses high-strength alloy steel for a network of steel beams, rails and pillars that create a “safety cage” for the occupants. Underbody rails that run the length of the vehicle are built with high-strength alloy steel and work with other structural components to reduce intrusion into the passenger compartment and help preserve the fuel system in a collision.

New-generation multi-stage driver and front passenger airbags are designed to deploy at different levels, depending on the severity of the crash and whether the occupant is using a seatbelt. This way, low-speed crashes generate less forceful airbag deployment, while high-speed crashes or an unbelted occupant will trigger the airbag’s maximum force.

Side curtain airbags are also available for additional head protection for both front and rear occupants seated next to the doors. This is the first Jeep to have side curtain airbags.

For active safety, the Liberty uses larger, thicker, full-cast brake discs with greater heat capacity and larger, stiffer calipers in front combined with a new integrated ABS that includes electronic brake distribution for optimal braking performance. An interesting feature is the way the ABS activates when the vehicle is in the 4WD low-range mode and allows for limited wheel lockup as needed, such as when the vehicle is descending steep sand or gravel hills. Special programming ensures that the ABS will not react to sudden wheel lock-up that occurs on bumpy surfaces, such as at railway crossings and on the rough “washboard” surfaces of gravel roads.

RUGGED CABIN THEMES
The design of the Liberty’s interior is also derived from Jeepster and complements the exterior theme. The interior features a bold, round-dialed cluster with large gauges and black-on-beige graphics. Round a.c outlets and a round motif applied to the interior door handles add to the functional design aesthetic. Deep-sculpted doors with generous map pockets in the front and bottle holders in the rear continue the theme of providing substance with excellent space utilization.

The interesting textures and finishes seen throughout the interior further exemplify attention to detail. The centre and side accents on the instrument panel, gearshift lever and handbrake feature a ‘mechanical grain. This contrasts with the more traditional animal grain found on the top of the instrument panel, the glovebox door and door trim panels. Satin chrome finish is found on cruise control bezels, the centre of the instrument panel, gearlever surround, switch plate bezel on door, door remote handles and lock plungers on premium models. There is also a bright Jeep logo on the round, natural grained steering wheel horn pad.

The cloth seat fabric is made of a flat, woven material that gives a sense of ruggedness in a smooth, sophisticated way. An optional premium leather package uses dramatic colour differences of Dark Slate complemented by Light Taupe on the seats and door trim panel inserts.

The Liberty’s interior packaging provides superior versatility and comfort. Headroom is exceptionally good with the vertical rear end while the 65/35-split rear seat with one-handed folding operation maximizes passenger and cargo flexibility. The boot area features cargo tie-downs and grocery bag hooks.

END OF THE CHEROKEE
With the arrival of the Liberty, it is believed that the Cherokee, which was originally introduced in 1984, will be retired. The Cherokee has served Jeep well, having been the company’s most significant export model. It was also the model which Jeep used for its factory in China, the first model to be built there by an American manufacturer.

Whether the Liberty comes to Malaysia remains to be seen since there is no longer a distributor here. MBf-Peugeot, which held the franchise for some years in the 1990s, has been clearing remaining stocks (but continues to offer after-sales support to its customers) and no new party has taken over the franchise and a C&C Bintang source said that so far, there have been no discussions with DaimlerChrysler about the company handling Jeep sales in Malaysia in future.

LIBERTY DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Length: 4437 mm
Width: 1819 mm
Height: 1796 mm
Tracks (front/rear): 1524/1516 mm
Ground clearance: 257 mm
Kerb weight : 1592 kgs ~ 1751 kgs