Jeep Liberty diesel

[Champane Flight]

Anyone driven one yet? I have heard it is a Motorini Diesel inline four, 2. 4 liter turbocharged. Sounds like a common rail outfit.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

I found one today! It had CRD On the right rear of the tailgate. It was parked on the curb on a streen in Amsterdam NL. Sure wish it were running so I could hear it!



Haven't seen one in the US yet. I'll be home in Texas monday night; flew a trip out on Friday afternoon. . 9 hours over non stop from Houston. 11 hours back (headwinds).

Blah!

 

[Champane Flight]

All

I have heard only rumors. Able to pull 5000#s and do it with relative ease, that and 25mpg empty, 15 loaded. Being common rail, very quiet. I know Motorini has extensive experience in BIG boat diesels, but really don't know much about them.

 

[LightmanE300]

The engine is made by VM Motori, out of Italy, which is owned by DC. Not sure what "motorini' is.



They have hit US shores, I've seen pics of them sitting at dealerships on other forums, yet nobody has driven one as far as I've read.

 

[ezcurra]

http://www.vmmotori.it/en/index.jsp

 

[Champane Flight]

Motori

Ok, I stand corrected.

 

[amsoilman]

The engine is made by VM Motori, out of Italy, which is owned by DC. Not sure what "motorini' is.



They have hit US shores, I've seen pics of them sitting at dealerships on other forums, yet nobody has driven one as far as I've read.

I saw one at the local auto show this past Month. Looked good, but of course could not drive it. The rep was from Factory, and said they were NOT FOR SALE just yet, but they wanted to show it. He said they were only going to BUILD 5,000 of them to see how the publics reaction was!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Chief USA]

I was really excited about a diesel Renegade until I found out that it will be equipped with an automatic transmission ONLY! Sorry, but I think I will pass on this one. I hope I am just getting incorrect information. A 5 and preferably a 6 speed trans. would be my choice. Does anyone have any other info. about this?

 

[datablitz]

from what i have heard, the epa is the reason they are not for sale yet, it was planned to be released this feb, but may be delayed a bit... . damn epa... .

 

[XJSuperman]

2. 8L CRD built by motori which is Italian based and owned by DC. The engine was designed by detroit (also owned by DC) and manufactured by motori.



165 HP 295 ft lbs TQ (@ 1900 RPM). Rumors are floating around that it will be available in the entire jeep line in a couple years (provided it does well in the libby) and this includes the new "Gladiator" concept truck.



Diesels are nothing new to jeeps... just new to the American ones. If this engine does as well as it's European counterparts we may see LOTS of them over here.

 

[Marco]

Yup, I've driven one.

They're out for quiet a while now here. The engine is quiet, gets good MPG, power is smooth. Nothing out of ordinary... :-laf



Marco

 

[wcaldwell]

Marco,



Nor are diesel Alfa Romeos, Lancias, Peugeauts, Renaults, Fiats, Simcas, etc, etc, out of the ordinary for y'all over on that side of the pond. And your air quality is slowly becoming better because of the higher emissions standards and better mileage for diesels.



I was stationed with the American Air Force in Madrid de Espana from August 75 - May 80 and also in Napoli di Italia from June 88 - May 92. Had a ball both times.



Wayne

 

[willysrule]

Haven't drove one yet, but I do have a few calls into guys that rebuild wrecked DC stuff... if they get a line on a wrecked one I want it... the CJ needs a diesel... .

 

[IC Smoke]

WoooHOoo let the bomb's begin!!!



I can see it now! TWINS on a jeep!



Ian

 

[msimmons]

We received our first two KJ's w/the CRD last Friday... . just in time for the St. Louis car show. They were on hold for EPA reasons and they have just been released.



I had a short test drive in our first one and they are quite peppy. At idle, it is obvious that they are diesel powered. In the cabin, they also have the characteristic diesel rattle at idle. Off idle on launch, the rattle disappears and the KJ just scoots! I don't find the engine noise objectionable but I'm afraid the general public might> I think that D/C needs to use a tad bit more sound insulation in the firewall area as it "appears" to be a bit noisier at idle than my DR.



Momma drives an '04 KJ which she loves and I was going to hold out 'til the CRD was available, but she couldn't wait.



Mike

 

[TboneMan]

I wish you guys would stop talking about these new Jeeps. It makes my blood boil knowing that they aren't 50 state legal (meaning that they are illegal in NYS).



My wife wants a Liberty but I really don't want to deal with the pathetic gas milage they get.



Grrr.

 

[LightmanE300]

I think the release is going to be a flop unfortunately. They are trying to test the market , seeing if diesels are a viable product offering, and hoping to change perception about diesels. Well I think they failed. The thing doesn't get THAT good of mileage at all, isn't quiet, and isn't THAT powerful. I mean if the thing was fast and got 30+mpg people would go nuts. However it's in the low 20's realistically, and that gain in mpg isn't enough IMO to turn many heads. Add to that all the reviews from the magazines saying that it's somewhat noisy - louder than a VW TDI- and I don't think people are going to buy it. I hate to be negative about it, and I think it will be a sweet little vehicle - but I'm a diesel fanatic...



If they would have instead put this in a wrangler, or put the 270CDI engine in the Grand Cherokee - might be a different story. I might just HAVE to have the diesel wrangler!

 

[av8r]

I think the release is going to be a flop unfortunately.

I bet you a cup of coffee that they will sell every one and then some. I still believe this will be the first trickle of the eventual flood of light diesels (I can only hope). But, I will reserve any judgement untill I hear and drive one for myself, I never trust automotive journalists. After all they like the Durimax and PS better than the Cummins, too.



BTW, I also bet the MPG figures on these are an on purpose low ball. A couple of easy bombs (eg. open up intake, bigger exhaust) and these will be a real ripper.

 

[XJSuperman]

Isn't THAT powerful... it has the same HP as the early cummins dodges. And in a rig that weighs MUCH less... PLUS the 295 ft lbs of TQ is the same the 4. 7L V-8 in the grand cherokees (@ 295).



EVERY review I;ve read has been positive... EVERY one. No. . it's not an econobox BUT in the realm of 'soccer-mom' mobiles it is a killer vehicle. It's got a REAL transfer case, REAL axles, and can seat 5 REAL people.



And the mileage... 27 MPG on the hwy is the rating and 22 city... that's DAMN good for the weight and size of the vehicle... and a good amount better than the gas engine options in the same vehicle... NOT to mention you can get one for under $30K which is in the same price range as the other engines.



So while I'm becoming a diesel fanatic... and I am a HUGE jeep fanatic (even though I hate the liberty because of the XJ's demise) I think this little vehicle will sell VERY well with the diesel option.

And Tboneman... give it time... we finally got the cummins with the big HP/TQ number to be 50 state legal... I;d make a wager that in a year or so the libby diesel will be too.

 

[opjohnny]

I was at Camp Jeep when it was in Missouri and got a chance to drive the diesel WJ Grand Cherokee. It was sweet. If I had money like Bill Gates I would import one. I would prefer ot over the Libby.