| Chrysler has been facing the toughest problem | | | | drive systems, the new Selec-Trac II full-time |
| that it has. Market share in the all-important United | | | | system and the Command-Trac part-time |
| States auto market has been decreasing although | | | | system." |
| their sales last year saw some improvements. | | | | The power of the 2008 Jeep Liberty comes from |
| Thus, the automaker has taken bold strides | | | | a V6 engine which produces as much as 210 |
| towards attracting more consumers into their | | | | horsepower. Russ had this to say: "An interesting |
| dealerships. | | | | 90-degree single overhead cam engine, it's |
| One of the vehicles which the group has come | | | | essentially two-thirds of a Grand Cherokee V8 |
| out with to appease the car buying public is the | | | | and uses a balance shaft to counteract the |
| 2008 Jeep Liberty which is offered in a variety of | | | | vibration inherent in that design. Internal |
| trim levels. Although the Jeep Liberty has | | | | enhancements have reduced noise and increased |
| achieved some level of success, the automaker | | | | low-rpm torque." |
| decided to give the Liberty a facelift. | | | | And as consumers are becoming more and more |
| Carey Russ of The Auto Channel recently took a | | | | concerned about the safety features of vehicles, |
| Jeep Liberty for a test drive. Russ said that he | | | | the automaker has given the 2008 Jeep Liberty |
| did not recognize the vehicle instantly. "This was | | | | safety features which are designed to adequately |
| because about the only thing not changed in and | | | | protect its occupants in the unfortunate case of a |
| on the 2008 Liberty was the name. The new | | | | collision. "The Liberty's passengers are protected |
| styling - now looking like a shrunken Commander - | | | | by a sturdy unibody structure with front and rear |
| may be the most apparent attribute, but that's | | | | crumple zones and side impact-protection beams," |
| only the surface," said Russ. | | | | said Russ. |
| According to him, the new Liberty is given a | | | | "Advanced-design multi-stage front and full-length |
| longer wheelbase. This change though did not | | | | side curtain airbags are standard in both models, |
| affect the maneuverability of the vehicle. The | | | | as are four-wheel antilock disc brakes with rough |
| additional length and width of the said vehicle said | | | | road detection for better off-road functioning, |
| Russ does not make any considerable change if | | | | brake assist, all-speed traction control, hill start |
| one will look at it on the outside. But he went on | | | | assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and |
| to say that the changes in the dimension of the | | | | Electronic Roll Mitigation systems (ERM), and a |
| vehicle affect the interior room greatly. | | | | tire-pressure monitoring system." With those |
| Being a Jeep, the Liberty is expected to be like its | | | | safety features, the Liberty can protect its |
| rugged brethren and this is what Russ had to say | | | | occupants better than an Acura CL bumper |
| about that: "Biggest difference from the | | | | bracket. |
| crossover competition? Being a Jeep, the Liberty | | | | In conclusion, Russ said: "The Jeep Liberty |
| is designed and built to go where the pavement | | | | provides a real-deal alternative to the common |
| ends. Two-wheel drive (to the rear wheels) is | | | | crossover in the mid-size SUV class. |
| standard, but there are two optional four-wheel | | | | |