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All-New
2002 Jeep® Liberty Delivers Brand's Hallmark Off-Highway Capability
and Superior On-road Ride and Handling
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1/8/01,
Auburn Hills, MI - 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,
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.
Major features include:
All-new
3.7-liter PowerTech V-6
The
3.7-liter V-6 engine is designed with similar architecture to the
highly acclaimed 4.7-liter V-8 engine which powers the Grand Cherokee.
This engine features a 90-degree even-firing V-6, a cast iron block
and bedplate, aluminum cylinder heads and a balance shaft. Output
is 210 hp @ 5200 rpm (157 kW @ 5200 rpm) and 225-ft. lbs. @ 4000
rpm (305 kW @ 4000 rpm). This all-new V-6 shares many technology
features with the 4.7-liter V-8 including:
Chain-driven single overhead cams for superior performance and long-
term durability
Fabricated tubular camshaft with powder metal lobes for reduced
engine weight
Zero-leaks engine sealing system proven successful on the 4.7-liter
engine
Direct mount accessories with a single belt drive for reduced vibration,
harshness and weight
Features
unique to the 3.7-liter:
Gear
driven balance shaft to minimize engine vibration
Composite intake manifold with individual tuned runners on each
cylinder to improve overall performance o Active knock sensor system
to improve engine performance and reliability
The
3.7-liter equipped with a multi-speed automatic transmission provides
5,000 pound towing capability that can't be beat. Both this engine
and the 2.4-liter PowerTech I-4 are available with a 5-speed manual
transmission.
New
2.5-liter Direct Injection 4-cylinder Turbodiesel (for international
markets)
The
new 2.5-liter direct injection turbodiesel engine features a cast-iron
cylinder block and a one-piece aluminum cylinder head with 16-valves.
It provides 140 hp @ 4000 rpm (105 kW @ 4000 rpm) and 253-ft. lbs.
@ 1800 rpm (343 kW @ 1800 rpm). For improved performance and fuel
efficiency this engine features belt driven overhead cams, state-of-the-art
direct fuel injection and counter rotating balance shafts. Vehicles
equipped with this engine also have a viscous heater system to supplement
passenger compartment heat.
All-new
Jeep Independent Front Suspension
An
all-new Jeep-engineered coil sprung independent front suspension
combines excellent overall ride and handling and precise steering
control with Rubicon-tested capabilities. The generous eight-inch
suspension travel ensures hallmark Jeep off-highway performance.
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. This design
not only gives consumers confidence about the vehicle's robustness
and durability, but improves rough road ride by reducing the vehicle's
unsprung weight.
Link-Coil
Rear Suspension from Grand Cherokee
A
link-coil rear suspension, similar to that on the Grand Cherokee,
provides a smooth, comfortable ride. This system provides a more
comfortable ride than leaf springs because coil springs have less
static and dynamic friction. This configuration also provides a
roll center closer to the vehicle's center 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.
All-new
Rack and Pinion Steering
Engineered
to maintain Jeep off-highway ruggedness, a precise rack and pinion
steering system provides on-road steering control. Effort, feel
and response are tuned to give the driver accurate control and positive
feedback. Steering response is precise and consistent with steering
wheel input, while retaining the fun-to-drive quality Jeep owners
have come to expect.
Innovative
Swing Gate / Flipper Glass Design
For
quick and easy access to the cargo area, Liberty features a patented
single-action swing gate / flipper glass system. The swing gate
opens from the curb-side of the vehicle for safe, convenient loading.
A unique pull-type latch mechanism makes the opening of the flipper
glass window and swing gate an intuitive, one-motion operation versus
competitive multiple step operation. 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 gate lock also opens
the flipper glass window.
For
further information, contact:
DaimlerChrysler
1000 Chrysler Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2766
www.jeepunpaved.com
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