Jeep Announces New SUV Model

libertyAs part of a bigger expansion plan, Jeep has announced that it will be producing a smaller SUV model at its plant in Melfi, Italy.

This new SUV is not the previously announced replacement for the Jeep Compass and Patriot but rather a whole new model. Even though the new, smaller SUV will be built in Italy, Jeep plants in the United States have no need to fear. The Compass/Patriot replacement will be built in the United States, and Chrysler currently plans on adding over 1,100 workers to the Toledo plant next year.

Chrysler’s majority owner Fiat expects that production of this smaller SUV and another new Fiat model at the Melfi plant will help the local economy as well as increase auto sales in Europe. Also, the Melfi plant has been underutilized of late, and it makes sense to put it to good use.

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2014 Jeep Liberty Prototype Spotted!

If you want to see the next generation of cars out in the wild, you might want to stick around the offices of Automobile Magazine. For whatever the reason is, they seemingly have all the luck. Just the other day, they not only got to see a pre-production Buick Encore and a Citroen DS5, but they also managed to catch a glimpse (and some pictures) of the prototype for the 2014 Jeep Liberty.

Cloaked in complete black with no real discernible features didn’t keep the editors at Automobile Magazine from realizing they were getting a sneak peak at something special. Under that disguise, they were able to recognize core features that pointed to this being the future of Jeep. Most notably is that it is similar to a Jeep prototype they caught sight of in April and then there’s also the seven-slot Jeep grille.

The 2014 Jeep is expected to take many of the lessons learned in the 2013 Dodge Dart and put them to use. It’ll likely have a 1.4-liter turbo-four. For buyers looking for more power, a 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4 may be a variant seeing as how it’s also being offered for the Dart. It’s too early to set anything in stone, but definitely expect there to be powerful options as Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne promised that the new Liberty will still be a “trail-rated, full-blooded Jeep.”

No word yet on when to expect any official word on the 2014 Jeep Liberty, but production of said vehicle is slated to begin next year at the Toledo, Ohio plant. Keep current on any news about it by liking us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. You can view the current Jeep line-up online at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

New Jeep Prototype Spotted?

Allpar seems to be busy of late with their numerous spies that scour the roads of America looking for anything secret. They had already showed off what might be the first prototype for a new Ram Heavy-Duty Truck and that really wasn’t enough for them. They have put out details and pictures of what just may be the new Jeep vehicle.

Their reasoning behind claiming this could be the new Jeep model is that the Compass is due for a replacement. Both it and the Jeep Patriot are going to have a shortened 2013 and 2014 year. That could mean this is a whole new Jeep Compass but also could just be a whole new model meant to replace the Compass for 2014 or 2015.

According to the article, Allpar says that Chrysler is reportedly still wanting to have the Compass name. They reference insider comments that the interior would be similar to the current Patriot in shape and size, but mixed in with the soft lines of the old Jeep Renegade and Willys2 concepts. Whatever it is really, there’s not a lot of doubt that it will follow the Dodge Dart in borrowing many ideas from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Is this a sneak peek behind the curtain to what Jeep has plans for the future? Nothing is known for certain at the moment but as soon as it does, we’ll make sure to let you know.

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