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Jeep’s Liberty Replacement May Revive Cherokee Nameplate: Report

5 3,707 views Jan 8, 2013

2012 Jeep Liberty Arctic

2012 Jeep Liberty Arctic

Enlarge Photo

The replacement for the aging Jeep Liberty will likely be the first all-new Jeep model launched under Fiat’s ownership of the storied brand, and word is that the Cherokee nameplate may be revived for the new SUV.

As Autocar reports, the model that replaces the Liberty will be built on a version of Fiat’s Compact Wide Platform known as Compact US Wide. Though currently used beneath the front-drive Dodge Dart, the Compact US platform can also be configured to accommodate four-wheel drive systems.

The new Jeep model will reportedly use a four-wheel drive system biased towards front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive. Regardless, the new Jeep should still deliver the off-road goods that buyers have come to expect from the brand.

Power for U.S. versions is expected to come from a 3.2-liter V-6, mated to a nine-speed (yes, nine-speed) automatic transmission. Diesel versions will be offered in Europe, but probably not here since the perception is still that U.S. buyers don’t want diesels.

We hope that Jeep does decide to resurrect the Cherokee nameplate from the dusty bowels of its historical archives, assuming that the new model can live up to the off-road potential of the last Cherokee, of course. It would be oddly fitting, since the Jeep Liberty retired the previous Jeep Cherokee after the 2001 model year.

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Comments (5)

  1. fb_579789275 avatar JL Serkes Posted: 1/8/2013 11:12am PST

    Loved the original Cherokees. If I didn't have a 68 Scout, I would have a late model old school Cherokee.
     
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  2. fb_1779529571 avatar Bill Burke Posted: 1/8/2013 1:41pm PST

    Anyone who travels in Europe knows that the Liberty is badged as a Cherokee in Europe. Calling it Cherokee in the US makes nominclature consistant and revives a ledgendary name for Jeep fans. I've seen the new Cherokee and it is really good looking crossover and is obviously a Jeep. The Compact US Wide platform will spawn a whole bunch of vehicles for a variety of Chrysler brands and some Fiat vehicles also.
     
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  3. fb_82100996 avatar Richard Shanks Posted: 1/9/2013 10:31am PST

    Yes, revive the Cherokee name. And, yes, bring the diesel engines to North America too.
     
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  4. fb_1035028238 avatar Edward Harting Posted: 1/9/2013 10:48am PST

    Bring back the Jeep Cherokee! Make it a civilian off-roader with the option to choose a model without all of the bells and whistles!
     
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  5. fb_100002936767634 avatar Kathy Engemann Posted: 2/7/2013 9:15pm PST

    yeahhh Chrysler gotta bring the CHEROKEES BACK!!! I never like the idea of killing the Cherokees in order to bring the Libertys. I do like the Libertys too, but if u give me a choice Cherokee or Liberty, then I will pick up the first. Or gotta exist both Cherokee and Liberty, but the Cherokees rocks and never died in the hearts of real Jeepers. I have my Jeep Cherokee 97, AT, with over 200000 miles on it and still running like a pro and real strong engine ever made!!!
     
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