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From Jeep: A Liberty
It is something that doesn’t happen very often but when it does it’s automotive news. It’s a new Jeep! The Jeep brand once again moves to the forefront of engineering and design with the introduction of the 2002 Jeep Liberty, delivering a unique combination of ruggedness, capability and superior on-road refinement that sets this all-new vehicle apart from the pack in true Jeep tradition. The Liberty joins the already formidable Jeep lineup as the newest member of the legendary brand that defined sport-utility vehicles during its 60-year history. The all-new Jeep Liberty was created to expand the breadth of the Jeep lineup and broaden the brand’s global appeal. Not only for traditional Jeep buyers, this vehicle is also for a new generation of SUV buyers who value on-road refinement and ruggedness. Building on themes illustrated by the Dakar and Jeepster concept vehicles, shown at auto shows over the last few years, Liberty features short front and rear overhangs and a very upright profile to deliver efficient space utilization, command of the road seating and excellent road presence. The Jeep Liberty stands apart from the new generation of less capable compact SUVs. "The all-new Jeep 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," said Rich Schaum, Executive Vice President - Product Development and Quality & General Manager Passenger Car Operations, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. The 2002 Jeep Liberty was engineered with a wide array of new features that make it as capable off-highway as it is competent on any interstate. Putting the power behind the fun-to-drive Liberty is an all-new 3.7-liter PowerTech V-6 engine, similar in architecture to the highly acclaimed 4.7-liter V-8 engine powering the award-winning Grand Cherokee. Rated at 210 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque, Liberty enters the segment at the head of the pack. Designed to get more power from less displacement, the 3.7-liter engine maximizes air flow through the engine and reduces internal friction. This engine features a 90-degree even-firing V-6, a cast iron block, compacted graphite bedplate, aluminum cylinder heads and a balance shaft. The 3.7-liter motor is mated to the smooth-shifting 5-speed manual transmission, refined for use in the new Liberty. When equipped with the available multi-speed automatic transmission, this engine provides 5,000 pound towing capability that can’t be beat. Also available is a 2.4-liter PowerTech I-4 available only with the 5-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. The 2.4-liter engine is rated at 150 horsepower. "The all-new 3.7-liter is derived from Grand Cherokee’s highly successful 4.7-liter and gives Liberty segment-leading power," said Craig Love, Vice President, Jeep Platform Engineering, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "This combines with a Jeep-engineered independent front suspension to achieve just the right blend of capability and refinement." Jeep has a long tradition of integrating safety into every vehicle and Liberty represents the next chapter in that history. "We know that safety is a major concern for buyers in the SUV market," said Craig Love, Vice President Jeep Platform Engineering, DaimlerChrysler. "The 2002 Jeep Liberty builds on the rock-solid safety reputation that Jeep already owns. The result is a vehicle that, from top to bottom, offers as much safety and security as it does performance." Whether the all-new Jeep Liberty is carrying people to the mall or to the mountains, safety is always an integral part. Important active and passive safety features provide protection and peace of mind customers expect from the sport-utility pioneer. These is something special about driving a Jeep. Perhaps it is the history that is not present in other brands. Perhaps it is the feeling that your Jeep can take you places that other vehicles just will not go. Deliveries of the Jeep Liberty have just started and your local dealer can arrange for a test drive. |
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