This is clearly not the final sheet metal for the 2014 Jeep Liberty however what this proto type is porting is the new engine/power train configuration. This Jeep in Alfa Romeo Giulietta clothing actually looks like a Dakar shaped race truck however don’t let the ride height and exhaust placement fool you. This prototype is testing engine and transmission configuration in addition to on road testing of the newest “Quadra drive” AWD system.
2014 Jeep Liberty -Spied Front 3/4
We had previously read reviews that the Jeep Liberty would be one of the first Chrysler vehicles to receive their currently in development 3.2-liter Pentastar V6. However this rolling mule has every indication that it’s sporting a turbocharged power plant. The fuel filler cap has a prominent sticker warning that premium gasoline must be used, while frontal photos appear to show a large intercooler.
Could this mean that the new Liberty will also use the Fiat 500 Arbath sourced 1.6-liter turbo I-4 that outputs 160 hp and can be found in the upcoming Dodge Dart? Or could either of the 2.0 or 2.4 liter tigershark engines also being used in the 2013 Dart be receiving a turbo upgrade? Time will tell but we would love to drive a Dodge Dart SRT model that uses a 2.4 turbo engine dialed up to close to 300 hp. Wouldn’t you?
2014 Jeep Liberty - Spied from the Rear 3/4
We are expecting Jeep to offer this new Liberty as a Front or All-wheel drive model and we are expecting it to also use the also in development 9-speed ZF automatic transmission. Could there be a manual transmission offered on the smaller displacement turbo engine? We would suggest that if it is sold in Europe then yes such a vehicle will be built.
One fact that we can confirm is that the 2014 Liberty will be built on Fiat’s new Compact U.S Wide Platform or CUSW for short. The CUSW will make its North American debut in the 2013 Dodge Dart this summer and is a variant of the European Alfa Romeo Giulietta Chassis, which explains why this Liberty test mule is wearing a crude Alfa Giulietta body. Will that make the Next Liberty model a soft roader? We think not but stay tuned for more future information.
