Great road test by a fellow Canadian on the 2006 Liberty diesel.

Here’s a bit fo the road test - you can read the full test after the jump where it was originally posted.

I don’t know how many times I’ve seen that bumper sticker or windshield banner which reads “It’s a Jeep Thing, You Wouldn’t Understand.” on the back of a muddy old TJ. I don’t own a Jeep, it’s been a while since I’ve ever driven one, and no, you bunch of mud slinging maniacs, I don’t understand. That being said, I spent some time trying to figure it out, meaning among other things, getting really dirty. Here’s my story.

The Liberty CRD annihilated the trails I bring SUV testers to. It proved, without any doubt, that if you want to tackle challenging terrain, all wheel drive probably isn’t going to cut it. The last AWD I tried back on these trails (I wont tell you what it was) proved to be a nice warm place to wait for assistance to show up and push, because I simply could not Escape without having the control of a locking center differential. Another important bit of off-road hardware is…

Full road test here.

Tougher emission regulations cited as reason popular version of compact SUV is going extinct.

While DaimlerChrysler’s Jeep brand is touting its plan to build a Grand Cherokee with a fuel-efficient diesel engine, the automaker quietly ended production of a successful diesel version of its Jeep Liberty SUV for the U.S. market.

In April, J.D. Power and Associates said light-vehicle diesel sales are projected to grow from 3.2 percent of U.S. auto sales in 2005 to more than 10 percent by 2015.

Holy crap - are the automakers blind, or just blind?

I mean, sales are down for trucks and SUVs as a direct result of the price of fuel in North America. Here’s a way to ensure these cash-cows (trucks and SUVs) can be maintained a sales leaders, and the automakers seem ready walk away from it.

Diesels are nothing new, and the auto-rumor mill says folks like the General (should they survive) are planning an assault in North America with diesels. I guess they’re hoping the drivers of today will forget the butchered cobble-job GM was responsible for in the late 70’s/early 80’s. Back then they simply figured it’d be easy to converty a gas engine to diesel and the market was so starved for fuel efficient vehilces that GM would own the market.

Wrongo - it was a POS - a BIG POS! And that one move single-handedly helped create the image of diesels as slow, under-powered, unreliable, smelly and bad. Because, largely, that particular offering from GM was all of those things.

Fast forward though to today’s offerings, (more accurately this action is known as North Americans getting their heads out of their asses), and we see full-sized diesel-powered pickups capable of embarassing sportscars with their power, while returning mid-20 mpg economy. Pretty damn good when you absolutely need the kind of power to pull houses off foundations.

On the car front, we’ve got Mercedes offering token diesel models to the moneyed few, while VW is left to fly the flag for diesels everywhere and for the common pocket-book.

No wonder they own the market and will continue to do so for years to come.

The Europeans are laughing at us right now. THEY know high fuel costs. THEY know what a fuel efficient car is. THEY know the value of running a small car with a diesel engine.

So, while it’s great to see Jeep saying they’re getting rid of a motor which won’t meet future emissions requirements in NA, for crying out loud - the replacement is the freakin’ Grand Cherokee. COME ON! If I could afford a Grand in the first place, do you think I would settle for the spotty built quality of the Liberty? Don’t you think I WANT to buy the best for myself?

I do - I really do. Trouble is, I can only afford so much. A Grand (stupidly priced now anyway) will only be even MORE EXPENSIVE with the diesel option. And if you think you’ll claw the difference back in fuel savings - think again. Fuel efficiency will only save you so much - just ask those who paid a premium for a hybrid. Sure it’s cool - but what else could I get for my $50,000+?

OK, Jeep - hear me know!

Make the new 3.0 CRD diesel engine available in the Wrangler Unlimited AND the Liberty at a future date - THAT would make things right for Jeep owners. Hell, the Commander, more than any other model, should see this option. Imagine having the Commander and everything it actually is, PLUS more than 20 MPG?

Shit, I might have to consider a second mortgage if that combo came to market…

Parts of this story originally posted here.

For Earth Day, DaimlerChrysler Shows Commitment to Renewable Fuels
. DaimlerChrysler has sold nearly 1.5 million flexible fuel vehicles capable of running on E85
. DaimlerChrysler has approved use of 5 percent biodiesel in the diesel-powered Jeep Liberty CRD
. Beginning with the 2007 model year, DaimlerChrysler has approved use of 20 percent biodiesel in the Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty diesel pickup trucks operated by government, military and commercial fleets

Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 19, 2006 -

DaimlerChrysler offers diesel and flexible fuel vehicles that can run on clean, renewable, American-made alternative fuels.

Renewable fuels, including ethanol made from corn and biodiesel made primarily from soybeans, help to:

- Reduce tailpipe emissions of pollutants
- Reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
- Reduce dependence on oil
- Support the nation’s agricultural economy

Since 1998, DaimlerChrysler has sold nearly 1.5 million flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) designed to run on E85 fuel, a fuel made up of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent conventional gasoline.

Beginning with the 2008 model year, DC will produce nearly 500,000 FFVs per year for sale in the United States.

Current vehicles capable of running on E85 fuel are:

- Dodge Stratus/Chrysler Sebring with the 2.7-liter engine
- Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan with the 3.3-liter engine
- Dodge Durango and Dodge Ram 1500 with the 4.7-liter engine

DaimlerChrysler is also promoting use of biodiesel, a fuel made from the vegetable oils from crops such as soybeans.

Biodiesel can replace conventional diesel fuel, reducing dependence on oil. The Jeep Liberty CRD diesel-powered SUV is filled with B5 (5 percent biodiesel) fuel at the assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, and B5 is approved for use by all Jeep Liberty diesel customers.

Beginning with the 2007 model year, the company will approve use of B20 (20 percent biodiesel) fuel in Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty diesel pickup trucks operated by government, military and commercial fleets. The company is working with industry partners to establish a national standard that would enable all diesel vehicle owners to use B20 fuel.

“Biofuels are proof that at least part of the solution to our energy, environmental and national security issues can be homegrown,” said Tom LaSorda, President and CEO - Chrysler Group.

This is good news folks - this is the way of the future, so the automakers might as well get on board now and start the work of enabling end users the choice and ability.

One note of caution to diesel owners:

If you are not currently using biodiesel, be very careful if you try to switch over. Biodiesel has some properties which make it very much like a solvent.

Over time, your regular diesel fuel leaves deposits in the fuel system. Biodiesel can loosen these, flush them out and lead to a non-running engine due to clogged fuel lines and/or filters. They typical rememdy is to flush the fuel tank out, purge the lines and re-fill the tank - not cheap or quick.

If you’re already using biodiesel, you can skip the worrying and know your lines are clean.

Great news for Jeep. The Libert diesel is on pace to double the expected sales figures set for it back in 2005. They’re about to run through 10,000 units since the launch in early 2005. That’s a dramatic difference to the last time Jeep offered a diesel option. Back in the 1980’s, Cherokees equipped with the Renault diesel engine languished on dealer lots and many were sold at cost or below just to get them off the lots.

Today, every Jeep Liberty diesel ships from the factory with B-5 diesel, too. This blended fuel (5% bio-fuel) is the key to an energy-conservative future for us. Since diesels can run on 100% biofuel, the ability exists for us in North America to produce our own fuel supply without dependance on crude oil for diesel powered motors. While not a 100% solution, it’s a very positve step fowrad, and Jeep shoud be commended for supporting it.

If you’ve never driven one of these great rigs, you’re missing out on something unique.

Sure, it’s noisier than a V-6 model, but the amount of low-end torque is eye-opening. Good thing they ship with traction control. Delivering almost the same overall horsepower ratings as the gas models, but with greatly improved real-world fuel economy, it’s no wonder they’ve caught on and become a hit.

Even moderately aggressive tipping-in of the throttle will induce a flashing dashboard light as the traction control works overtime to keep track of spinning rear tires.

Turned off, there’s great fun to be had, not that we’d condone such behavior.

Driven sanely, the Liberty diesel is said to be good for about 800 kms per fill-up. VERY useful range, and given that in our area diesel is cheaper than regular unleaded, worthwhile over the long-run, too.

And if you even think you might ever want to tow anything, this truck is going to be your best friend. Yard-work? Need some soil for the plants, maybe a small tree - hook up the trailer and go - zero drama. In fact, you’ll wonder if there’s anything behind you at all. Only that birch in your rearview mirror pacing you will tell the tale.

Step up and offer to move a friends boat - feel confident. With 4wd and this amount of power, the only limit is the 5,000 lbs tow-rating. THAT is a LOT of boat.

You say you don’t like your neighbor much? No worries, take Friday off, and while he’s at work, wrap a big tow-strap around his house, and yank it off the foundation. Best to look for an empty lot down the road to drop the house off in BEFORE you execute this move.

OK, while it’s not quite THAT powerful, it sure feels like it. It’s like a Liberty on steroids - like the ones fed to the Dodge Cummins models. The Liberty needs a new name when equipped with this motor…

Maybe the Jeep Torque? Nah, too Fast & Furious.

I KNOW! How about Jeep Liberty - Barry Bonds Edition…? This is one Jeep model that’s easily capable of hitting home runs!