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Considering they don't even offer a diesel Wrangler in Europe, I would have to guess it won't be happening soon. The Grand Cherokee diesel looks sweet though, of the V6 variety.
I too signed up for the Liberty CRD release and I'm waiting. I still think that a Jett or Golf is more cost effective but I do like the idea of possibly towing a small trailer to carry my motorcycle.
I'm surprised that DaimlerChrysler doesn't make diesels more available across the truck/SUV lineup. I would think that a Dakota would be cool with a diesel.
The Jetta/Golf or even the Passat TDI's can all tow 1,000# quite easily. I guess it would depend on how big your motorcycle/trailer is.
It pisses me off to no end that a Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition is not available with a diesel...and one priced properly at that. The price premium for a Powerstroke diesel is ridiculous...$4,000-$6,000...whatever.
No deals on the Passat TDI's because they're very high demand and short supply right now. I wouldn't look for any big discounts on the liberty diesel for awhile either. The 35mpg the Passat will likely average isn't too bad! I've seen folks averaging over 40mpg on all highway trips. My Jetta averages around 45-47mpg. My old Cherokee averaged about 17mpg:( Worse than my V8 4x4 Tahoe!!
As of the interior, the soft aspect plastic of the KIA is more delicate and thus will scratch and show wear. My dog's claws don't affect the look of the black lining in my Jeep...
Materials are #1 quality, but seem to be too stiff. This is why I claim it's too noisy above 75 mph. You simply have to sit in the truck and let the engine rev at 2600 rpm for one minute, then switch it off. This simple test is enough to make people feel dizzy.
I find the idling of this new engine very smooth compared to what I had before because it doesn't shake the truck any more.
I'm still planning on ordering one prior to ever driving one as soon as pricing is available provided the cost is reasonable.
This said, I would'nt change it for anything else. I've often driven this Jeep from sea level up to more than 2500 meters altitude, and it always has a lot of punch and doesn't overheat while driving above mountain passes (when they're opened to traffic).
Your argument here is analogous to: Hopefully, seatbelts will be an option and not standard. I do not want them. My philosophy is to drive a vehicle so that it doesn't crash. Driving in such a manner seatbelts are not necessary.
Also, when safety features on mainstream cars are optional, it is nearly impossible to find cars equipped with the option on dealer lots. They have to be special ordered. DC has attempted to rectify this on the new 300, promising that at least a certain percentage will be produced with the option.
Regarding mandatory safety equipment I will say that it is ironic that in the USA motorcyles are legal and in some states no helmet is required and yet importing an auto from outside of US w/o airbags is illegal even if it meets emissions.
To get back on topic....
What I really want is to see the Jeep Liberty with diesel at a local dealer sometime soon.
A car or a utility vehicle? Comparing my '01 Cherokee to this '05 Liberty, there was a big difference in handling. The liberty seems to sit quite high and probably doesn't have near the low center of gravity the cherokee had. Probably accounts for the bulk of it. Going through a turn and hitting the brakes caused some unusual wallowing as well. Not a reassuring vehicle to drive IMHO. Our much larger Tahoe takes the curves better.
It was a new vehicle and Jeep usually just puts medoiocre tires on from the factory. I didn't pay much attention to the tires, too busy filling the tank!! Averaged 15mpg!!
You will have to fill out info. to view article. A review by G Chambers Williams with basic info.., skip it if you are seeking any new info..
This is true on a cold start, but the engine fan rapidly makes much more noise, especially at night when you want to escape quietly...
The problem here is you're talking about your Butt calibration without any data. The Liberty should be more stable that your old cherokee, as the Liberty is longer, wider and lower than the Cherokee. Yes, it is taller too, but the little bit of extra glass, steel plastic and air that it takes certainly will not raise the cg significantly.
SO, if you do the math (ah, that pesky subject that we engineers rely so heavily upon...), I believe that you'll find the CG of the Liberty to be a fair bit lower than the Cherokee.
I suspect that cg and stability are some of the reasons that DC went with an IFS system in the Libo to begin with.
I too am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first CRD's to my local dealer. I've often thought that my wife would be driving a Dodge Durango now if DC would have put a diesel in that vehicle (instead she drives a Suburban to haul our children, with both getting 13-15 mpg, they may as well have three spacious rows of seats). Of course, they will not all fit in the Libo, so it's feasibility at my house is still questionable.
Happy Tuesday.
The Liberty does ride nicer and have better steering feel, which is mostly effected by the IFS i'm sure. It still jitter-bugs over bumpy turns though, which the XJ did as well. Take a turn a little fast, apply the brakes as you're hitting some rough spots, and you'll wonder if you're going to make it through the turn alive.
I will give them one thing though, they managed to make the seats just as uncomfortable on the Liberty as they were in the Cherokee.
For example, a 1982 VW diesel truck weighed 2100 lbs and produced 52 hp. MPG 39/48. http://www.volkswagen.org/caddy/brochures/81_05.htm
Liberty CRD 4306 lb, 160 hp, 295 lb/ft torque and 21/27 mpg. The Liberty CRD has more than 3X the HP, greater than 2X the weight of the VW still obtains greater than 50% the fuel economy of the small diesel truck. Now, add the fact that the Liberty is 4WD, transports 5 passengers compared to two of small pickup, and will tow 5,000 lbs and it is clear that 1982 technology is no longer present. Doing the math the Liberty produces power to mpg efficiency than a 1982 truck.
Without any battery, the engine could de started just by pushing the vehicle with a gear engaged. It could run until the fuel tank was emptied. No CAN bus but lots of dirty hands at the time...