Like most spy photogs, Brenda Priddy typically captures her subjects from ground level. But a tip caused her to get some elevation when staking out prototypes of the '08 Jeep Liberty, and now we know why. Her shots show what appears to be a retractable fabric panel on the Lib's roof. Other body mods to the next-gen KK include the migration of the spare tire from the back hatch to under the truck, a two-piece tailgate that lifts up instead of to the side, and the use of the Load n' Go sliding cargo system that debuted in the Nitro. Priddy says the Liberty will be available with two V-6s at launch, a base 3.7L and optional 4.0L, though the common-rail diesel won't be available until late 2008 or early 2009.
Readers' Rigs to Hit the Newsstands
Ever wanted to see your truck in our magazine? Now you've got a chance to see what you-and your fellow 'wheelers-are building for rocks, mud, sand, and snow. Our newest publication, Readers' Rigs, is the only 4x4 magazine devoted exclusively to you and your 4x4, be it a Chevy, Ford, Jeep, Toyota, or anything else that plays in the dirt. In each issue you'll find profiles of more than 100 reader vehicles, with plenty of photos, in-depth specs, and comments from owners about which setups work, which don't, and their favorite parts and accessories. Check out the premiere issue when it hits your local newsstand on February 13, 2007.
Bye-Bye Humvee
First the H1 disappears from dealer lots, now this: The U.S. Army is undertaking a search to replace the aging High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee). In response, International Truck and Engine Corp. has submitted the Future Tactical Truck System, or FTTS, for the Pentagon's consideration. The heavily armored pickup would be about two feet longer than the M1097A2 (base pickup) version of the Humvee, a couple inches narrower, and have similar ground-clearance specs. Like the Humvee, the FTTS design has planetary hubs at each wheel and a Central Tire Inflation System.
Though International says its truck will be available with "conventional powertrain provisions" (which we assume means some form of International diesel), the FTTS is being presented with a Parallel Hybrid System, mating a 3.0L I-4 diesel with an electric motor to give the truck 387 peak horsepower and 564 lb-ft of peak torque. By comparison, the 6.5L V-8 diesel in the Humvee puts out just 160 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque.
The Army earlier this year awarded International $12.25 million to build a demonstrator version of the FTTS. That truck was delivered to the Army for testing in November.
Whether the Army chooses the FTTS or a competing design submitted by Lockheed Martin, it looks like Humvee builder AM General won't be out of the picture entirely. An article in Automotive News quoted an AM General spokesman as saying, "We intend to make light tactical vehicles for the Army for a long time." So even if International's design wins, production could still be in the General's hands.
Toyota to Tackle Baja
One of the many news announcements made at the recent SEMA Show was about Toyota's new desert-race FJ Cruiser, which made its debut at the Baja 1000. Driven by the father-and-son team of Rod and Ryan Millen, the FJ was entered in the Stock Mini class (where the long-time rally driver faced serious competition from long-time desert racer Rod Hall and his Hummer H3).
The racing FJ is based on a new TRD Special Edition of the Cruiser, which boasts an all-black paint scheme (including the Cruiser's normally white roof), better synchronization of the locking diff and Active Traction Control, TRD/Bilstein shocks, performance exhaust, and TRD 16-inch alloy wheels.
While the Stock Mini class rules mandate that much of the vehicle remain in factory condition, suspension and safety modifications are allowed. Donahoe Racing coilovers and Fox Racing external-bypass shocks augment the Cruiser's chassis, and the FJ rolls on LT285/75R16 BFGoodrich All-Terrains. The stock 3.73 gears have been swapped out for 4.88s.
As of this writing the race was still a week away; next month we'll let you know how the FJ did against Rodney and the rest of the Stock Minis.
Preview: '08 Ford Escape
We don't have much in the way of details, but here's a photo of the upcoming '08 Ford Escape. Ford tells us it retooled the Escape inside and out, designing an exterior that bears a closer resemblance to its Explorer and Expedition siblings. Expect powertrain and chassis "refinements," too, says the maker. More info to come as we get it.