Auto For Speed

When an automaker’s resources are limited, logic suggests they be diverted to the product that will deliver the greatest return. So it’s not surprising that the all-new Grand Cherokee has gotten the lion’s share of Jeep’s attention, and its vastly improved sales results speak for themselves. For those models farther down the ladder, such as the 2011 Jeep Liberty, the changes are far less dramatic.

Updated significantly for the 2008 model year, the 2011 Liberty is but a mild mid-cycle refresh, despite the need for more drastic action. In fact, Jeep only lists four changes, one of which is a selection of new paint colors.

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Jeep has proclaimed itself as “one of the world’s few, true icons.” Normally, we’d take issue with such a brazen statement, but in the case of Jeep, we don’t really disagree. In fact, in a good portion of the developed world, the word ‘Jeep” is synonymous with sport utility vehicles in general… like Kleenex or Coke.

With that in mind, Chrysler think it’s time to celebrate Jeep’s 70th anniversary in 2011, and as you might expect, the off-road specialist is releasing a slew of special editions to commemorate the occasion. All of the new 2011 models – one each of Jeep’s five models – will be available in a unique Bronze Star exterior paint in addition to Bright Silver and Black along with the appropriate spate of 70th Anniversary badges.

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The Chrysler LLC group has rolled out fresh pictures and a new video with some B-Roll footage of its all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee a couple of weeks ahead of the SUV’s U.S. market launch in early June.

The 2011 Grand Cherokee will be offered with a choice of two engines including the Chrysler Group’s all-new 290HP 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that delivers up to 23 mpg, and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360-horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque.

In its latest press release, the company revealed prices for the entry-level 4×2 Laredo model that starts from $30,995, while the 4×4 version of the Laredo will start at $32,995. The new Grand Cherokee is built at the Chrysler group’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit.

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The Patriot S-Limited is Jeep’s latest offering in the U.K. market and it owes its existence to the crafty marketers a few unique exterior and interior appointments. It is available exclusively with a 2.4-liter petrol engine and aside from the black paint finish, the S-Limited is distinguished on the outside by special badges, the Startech chrome grille surrounds, body colored door handles and mirrors, and front and rear under-ride body-kit. Read the rest of this entry »