To alleviate any concerns you might have regarding smelly, smoking, noisy diesel engines, those days are in the past. Europeans purchase diesels more often than gasoline engines now, with even luxury cars like
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| Really, now there's no negative compromise when opting for diesel power. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class featuring oil burners. I've driven a variety of cars so equipped, from the aforementioned BMW, to a more recent drive through Spain in a new Volvo V50 turbodiesel, and can attest to their respective levels of refinement. Common-rail technology has helped to reduce interior and exterior noise, and no smoking tailpipe has ever been seen in any of the modern diesels tested, even under full acceleration. Really, there's no negative compromise when opting for diesel power. On the other hand, off-the-line acceleration should improve dramatically over the current range of gasoline engines due to the diesel's 295 lb-ft of torque arriving at only 1,800 rpm. The 3.7-liter V6 needs 4,000 rpm to arrive at its peak torque which is only 235 lb-ft. You do the math.
Just the same there will still be city slickers who will prefer the perceived refinement and convenience of a
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| The current 4- and 6-cylinder engines, as found in the 2004 Liberty shown here, will carry forward to the 2005 model unchanged. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
gasoline-powered Liberty, diesel can't be found at every refueling station. The current 4- and 6-cylinder engines, the first being a 2.4-liter making 150-hp at 5,200 rpm and 165 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, and the second a 3.7-liter V6 making 210-hp at 5,200 rpm and, as mentioned previously, 235 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, will carry forward unchanged. So also will the Liberty's standard 5-speed manual, optional 4-speed automatic transmissions, and part-time four-wheel drivetrain.
"True to its Jeep heritage, the 2005 Jeep Liberty continues to give enthusiasts a sense of personal capability and freedom by offering the best four-wheel-drive lineup in the segment," said Bell. "The Jeep Liberty distinguishes itself from less capable 4x4s."
