Next Jeep Liberty: More Carlike, Front-Drive Based, Fiat Engines, Coming in 2014

November 18, 2011 at 3:03pm by Justin Berkowitz

When Jeep’s next-generation Liberty arrives in 2014, it will be far more carlike and based on a front-wheel-drive platform, we’ve learned from an executive at the company.

Both previous generations of the Liberty (the second-gen 2012 model is pictured above) utilized a carlike unibody with a reinforcing frame underneath; the company refers to this as a “uniframe.” With the comment that the next Liberty will “evolve,” it seems that the reinforcing frame will be abandoned, and that the Liberty is almost definitely going to be based on one of the company’s car platforms. This in turn signals that, like the Patriot/Compass replacement and the upcoming subcompact Jeep, the next Liberty will offer either front- or all-wheel-drive motivation. If you need a simpler way to think about it, consider the next Liberty to be Jeep’s take on the Dodge Journey, even if they don’t actually share anything excepting corporate powertrains.

Softening the Liberty may get a rise from the brand’s faithful, but it will allow the model to compete more directly with segment bestsellers like the Toyota RAV4 and Chevy Equinox. Hard-core off-roaders with a need for more space should continue to flock to the four-door Wrangler.

We’re told that Fiat can supply a number of efficient powertrains for the next Liberty, which may mean Chrysler’s current 2.4-liter four fitted with MultiAir or even a new 1.8-liter turbo four from Italy. The option of a V-6 could hang around, with the current 210-horse 3.7-liter being canned for the stronger and more refined 3.6-liter Pentastar unit.

Tags: Fiat, Jeep, Jeep Liberty |

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The B-Specs Keep Coming! Mini Joins the Fray with Turnkey Cooper Hardtop Race Car

November 16, 2011 at 1:57pm by Alexander Stoklosa

Mini has announced that it, too, will get in on the new B-Spec racing action with a race-prepped Mini Cooper Hardtop. Mini USA has partnered with Mini of Charleston, South Carolina, to offer B-Spec–compliant turnkey Cooper race cars. Like most of the other participating automakers, Mini will also sell Spec-ready conversion kits for those who already own a 2007-2012 Mini Cooper and have the racing itch.

Who knew small, cheap race cars with their own competitive racing class would catch on? The 2012 SCCA, Grand Am, NASA, and World Challenge seasons haven’t begun yet and already the B-Spec field is crowded. The Mini B-Spec racer, per B-Spec regulations, is mostly stock—its engine produces the same 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque as a normal Cooper. It gets required safety equipment like a roll cage, racing seat and harness, and a window net. The Mini rides on KW V1 coil-overs and the brakes get heavier-duty pads and braided lines. Finally, the Cooper rolls on a set of itty-bitty 15-inch alloy wheels and Hoosier racing slicks. Like Mazda, Mini backs amateur race drivers with its Motorsport Awards Program, which awards cash prizes for racing successes.

Mini USA will announce pricing for both the racing kits and the fully prepped, turnkey Coopers closer to the start of the 2012 racing season. In the meantime, the company will show off a B-Spec prototype at this week’s L.A. auto show. We don’t know about you, but the Car and Driver office is geeking out over a racing series for inexpensive, buzzy little hatchbacks.

Tags: Mini, Mini Cooper |

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