Spirited Design Backed By Legendary Capability

These elements helped sculpt its design: wind, rain, mud, snow, granite, dirt. Yes, even pavement. These features will infuse a legendary brand with remarkable new energy: an all-new suspension system (independent front and solid axle rear), available 3.7L Power Tech V6 engine, patented rear swing gate mechanism. These craftsmen took sketches to steel. Concept to reality.

Introducing - The Next Great Jeep® Idea. Scheduled to arrive at our dealership late this spring, Jeep Liberty first flickered to life on a computer screen at the DaimlerChrysler Design Studio in the spring of 1997. The vehicle has an upright profile and an aggressive stance. Underneath, the genetics are all Jeep: Command-Trac® or Selec-Trac® four-wheel drive with high and low range, an available 210-horsepower 3.7L Power Tech V6 engine, rugged UniFrame construction, automatic recalibration of available antilock brakes and engine idle speed when low-range four-wheel drive is selected. And that's only the beginning.

Design to Departure.

"We wanted to capture all of the heritage of our original military vehicle through all the Jeep® CJs, YJs (1987-1996 Wranger models) and TJs (1997-present Wranger models)," said designer Bob Boniface. As such, round headlamps were integral from the beginning. Flanking the traditional seven slats of the grille and slightly exposed above the hood, the headlamp forms extend into the hood surface and add distinction and character up front. Below them, a muscular front fascia leads right into wide wheel flares - bringing capability, strength and power to the design. A high roofline ends at the outside, rear-mounted spare tire, suggesting a Wrangler lineage while opening up valuable interior storage space. "We could have lowered the roofline," he said, "but we really wanted to provide a sense of spaciousness. The view from the vehicle should be just as breathtaking as the view of the vehicle."

This airiness is immediately evident in an all-new interior that harmonizes nicely with the exterior theme. Circular door pulls curve into your hands, providing excellent grip. Round air gauges provide maximum airflow while adding an upscale look. Well-tailored, supportive front seats and a large glass area give you an excellent command-of-road feel. From the instrument cluster to the sculpted door-trim panels, Liberty's highly functional interior is sculpted to offer spaciousness, comfort and all the other features you'll need to enjoy the ride ¾ whether you're heading out on the trails or hitting the highway.

Liberty's off-road capability has already been established by Jeep® engineers on countless trips over the fabled Rubicon Trail. Short front and rear overhangs, an all-new independent front suspension (IFS) with eight inches of suspension travel and a choice of two proven four-wheel-drive systems lead the way. But that's only the beginning. Jeep engineers worked hard to make Liberty's undercarriage as snaggle-free as possible. You won't find low-hanging wires or cables. Front and rear sway bars are tucked up, out of danger's way. Tapered flanges on the front lower control arms allow for the suspension to "ride" over objects. For the errant rock strike off-road or curb impact in the parking lot, the heavy-duty, cast iron makeup of these control arms is designed to withstand the impact. The reduced heat and friction of the mono-tube front shock absorbers result in far less wear in dusty, off-road conditions. In the rear, outboard location-mounted shock absorbers allow for Liberty to crawl over objects without impacting the shocks. And with the IFS, all-new rack-and-pinion steering and solid axle, link-coil rear suspension, Liberty delivers smooth, refined handling once you're back on pavement. So on rock climbs, on freeways and everywhere in between, the Jeep Liberty is solid and comfortable. On road. Off road. Any road.

Copyright © 2001 Jeep News, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. All rights reserved.

They are: Tim Anness, Design Manager; Rick Zalewski, Senior Sculptor; Ken Zalewski, Interior Design Engineer; Eric Kurtz, Sculptor; Jerry Elrick, Program Planning Supervisor; Bob Boniface, Manager, Advance Product Design Strategy 1; Doug Quigley, Senior Manager; Ronald Sauger, Industrial Sculptor Supervisor; Bill St. Clair, Manager, Interior Design; Gene Paye, Sculptor; Mike Moore, Director of Design, Jeep Exterior and Interior; Gary Coghlan, Sculptor; Joe Papai, Interior Designer.