There were some recent press reviews and articles on the design release of the 2014 Cherokee/Liberty (or whatever they are calling the KJ/KK replacement).

Apparently based on the Dodge Dart/Alfa G shared platform, it moves to smaller capacity engines and the use of more speed ratios in the auto to work the engine for maximum fuel economy. While I am certainly no expert, it seems hard to imagine that the electronic 'special effects' used on the Grand Cherokee independent suspension will come across to the new Liberty as the price point is much lower for this model. Even the presence of a transfer case seems questionable.

The internet seems to have come to life with some rather creative rebranding of this new model. In this recent piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, there is reference to the design of "The Catfish" - a name I think might just stick.
Here is the link: http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/cont ... 2ez93.html

As Jeep has seen fit to go in this direction I have no choice but to hold onto my venerable KJ CRD for many years to come. But what do you think of it?

At least it makes my KJ look about as hardcore as a CJ.....

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2008 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
2.5 Teraflex Lift
35" MT/R's

Lifted CRD - SOLD

I'll keep my old '05 CRD Libby, thank you very much!

With the exception of the Wranglers, which I do really like, Jeep hasn't had anything for about eight years that I would want to buy.
Doesn't matter though, as new Jeeps are really getting out of my price range
I hope to keep my KJ CRD for another five years at least.
Considering the cost of newer vehicles, it would make good sense for me to try to find another low mileage, "cream puff" CRD to store away as an replacement, heck I could afford to compile a hoard of spare parts for it also.

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TWO Identical 2005 Liberty Sport CRDS
#1 CRD, 174,000 miles. Eco tune, Samco hoses. Mobil1 0-40w used since day one
#2 CRD 143,000 miles. Bought used (unknown history) with 100,000 miles. Samco hoses.
Eco tune, new rockers, and 5 volt glow plugs installed at 124,000 miles

Ugh. Do not like. Especially if it's based on a car platform. Can anyone say Compass? I'm planning to hold onto my CRD for a year or two and pick up an 07/08 GC CRD or a '14 GC CRD after someone takes the hit for driving it off the lot. Family is growing so will need the extra room.

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Chris
Current:
2007 Steel Blue Metallic Grand Cherokee CRD Limited
GDE Eco Tune and DPF delete
CB Engineering DPF delete pipe
EHM

Past (sold to Mountainman):
2005 Patriot Blue Liberty CRD Limited

It's a mystery to me. Automobile design in general went to hell back when women came into the market with as much money to spend as we knowledgeable men of much greater experience

There is at least one other old geezer (besides me) here who doesn't care for the electronic BS that is attached in ever greater degree to newer cars. IMO, my Cherokee (I fully reject the name change to 'Liberty') is overburdened with electronic devices, sensors, fail-safe mechanisms, etc to make me a better operator.

I like the Indian (eg. Tata Motors) approach to building vehicles. I see the Mahindra as something I might take a look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mahin ... ropped.jpg if I have to 'feel protected,' or maybe this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mahin ... ro_ZLX.jpg, although this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mahin ... e_2011.jpg is something I might pay for. (Note the seven slot grill, I thought that was world copyrighted by Jeep)

Give me a Mahindra diesel pick-up and I'll swap two fine running mid-size diesels for it!

My '05 already has more 'stuff' than I prefer. If, when, I trade vehicles it will be to a model year prior to 2004.

YMWV, in relation to your date of birth.

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'05 Sport CRD 107k miles. NOBODY knows everything.

I agree with you here on every point....being an "Old Geezer" myself would tend to make me feel that way

I will be keeping my 2002 2.5 Export CRD KJ, Cherokee here in SA, for as long as is possible...it also has less fancy electronics than the later models do.

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2002 Export CRD 2.5 Sport

That must've been some crappy prototype or maybe it's an export.

Here's the 2014:

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Silver 2006 KJ 2.8L CRD Limited:
GDE ECO Tune / Fumoto Valve / E-Tecno GX3123 7v Glow Plugs / 2nd Gen Fuel Head / Mishimoto RED Hoses / Rockers/Lifters @ 114k / Hayden FC + 11 Blade Nylon / Sears P1 Battery / Transgo 45RFE-HD2 Reprogramming Kit / Timken Front Bearings

(Above)...Isn't that the Grand Cherokee for 2014. Looks like that's what it says on the door.

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2006 Liberty CRD, 85,500 miles, ECO Tunes
Dark Khaki, Sport, Sunroof, Tow pkg
I added: EVIC, Cummins Fuel Pump, CAT Filter, Hour meter, heated seats
Michelin LTX2, Double Gauge Pod (Volt, Fuel Press)

As Dieseldawg says, that's the Grand Cherokee. The article is talking about the new Liberty (rumored to go back to the Cherokee name).

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Chris
Current:
2007 Steel Blue Metallic Grand Cherokee CRD Limited
GDE Eco Tune and DPF delete
CB Engineering DPF delete pipe
EHM

Past (sold to Mountainman):
2005 Patriot Blue Liberty CRD Limited

Yes the article I posted was about the Liberty replacement, aka the Cherokee in the export market. My sources at Jeep Australia are telling me that the next Wrangler design update is going soft as well, with rumours of independent front suspension - can just hear the solid front axle guys moaning about that. They are softening them all up to appeal to a larger market so they can sell more. It's the reputation that they are selling and less about the capability as most never use it.

Hmmm. . . the demise of the Wrangler would mean the process has come full circle. The old-school offraoders put stickers on their rides. . . "if you want a BA vehicle, BUILD IT."

In Moab we see (saw in my case) every alleged off-road machine built come to try out the rock. The Wrangler Rubicon (Dana 44 front and rear, lockers, quick swary bar disconnect, moderate lift) almost became the ride the old guys used to have to build. Take the front axle off and the old style 'build it yourself' guys will probably love it.

This could be a real opening for a foreign (eg. India?) builder to come in with a simplified vehicle (something like early VW's) and carve out a very nice niche in a very competitive market.

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'05 Sport CRD 107k miles. NOBODY knows everything.