While based on the Liberty the Nitro is about the same size as the Grand Cherokee; 1.5 inches taller, probably due to the 20-inch
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| After reading over the dimensions of the Nitro, it's probably a safe bet to assume it will be based off of the Jeep Grand Cherokee if produced. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
concept wheels and tires, and 0.2 inches narrower, a negligible difference. At 178.8 inches long without a hitch and 179.7 inches with one, the new concept is shorter than the GC by 6.9 inches at its longest - a fairly substantial difference but one that could also be attributed to the Nitro's near vertical liftgate. The concept's wheelbase is nearly identical to the Grand Cherokee, mind you, only being 1.1 inches shorter, while both feature similar cargo capacity; the GC nudging the Nitro out by about 2.8 cubic feet with the rear seats upright and only 0.3 cubic feet when the seats are folded flat. It makes a person wonder why it's not based on the Grand Cherokee?
Now that we're talking dimensions and measurements, the Nitro concept weighs in at 4,115 pounds, which is 261 pounds lighter than the 4,376 pound Grand Cherokee Laredo. The Laredo
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| While Dodge is selling a lot of vehicles, it would of course like to boost its 6.9 percent market share. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
features a 4.7-liter V8, however, which would make up for a great deal of the extra weight. I suppose what might be the most intriguing prospect about comparing the Nitro to the Grand Cherokee, rather than the Liberty, is the prospect of alternative powertrains. The JC comes with Chrysler Group's strong 4.7-liter V8, as mentioned above, which would go a long way to making the Nitro more, well, "Nitro", if you get what I'm trying to say. Of course, the automaker's 5.7-liter HEMI would give it more bang as well, as would the 425-horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI - the first already available in the GC and the second on its way as a special SRT8 version. This said, if Dodge offered the Liberty's 2.8-liter turbo diesel, which makes 295 lb-ft of torque, I'd probably step up to the plate with real money... as long as it was noticeably larger than Jeep's compact model inside.
