Subaru's Australian outpost is set to deliver a localized special edition Liberty GT (Liberty = Legacy) that's been upgraded with a laundry list of components from the STI catalog. The Liberty GT tuned by STI makes 260 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and will be made available with either a 6-speed stick or a 5-speed sportshift automatic. Brembos, Bilstein shocks, STI springs, a new muffler, lightweight Enkeis, and leather-and-Alcantara sport seats are but a few the features included in the 250-car limited edition, which is now on sale in Australia. Hey Subaru of America, where's the love like this for U.S. customers?
When is a Chrysler product branded as an SRT-6 not really an SRT-6? When it comes from Scott McCorkle's Liberty Dodge in Charlotte, NC. The dealership has created what it is referring to as a Dodge Charger SRT-6, though its fitted with just the standard 2.7 liter V6 engine and no performance mods. Also absent are the normal SRT-spec suspension, braking or interior refinements. So, what exactly is it that makes this vehicle qualify as an SRT? Umm, nothing; besides some cosmetic tweaks that range from new wheels to some leftover Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 badges, there is nothing at all with which to distinguish this model from a run-of-the-mill base model Charger. Sheesh, way to dilute the SRT brand, guys.
We would never suggest that making modifications to a stock vehicle is a bad thing. Far from it, in fact. We do, however, feel a bit bad for all the SRT engineers at Dodge who do an admirable job of taking a normal car and making it much, much better. When pressed, the dealership admits that what it's done amounts to nothing more than simple cosmetics, but we feel that they shouldn't have messed with the SRT badge in the process.
We have a few reservations about Liberty Electric Cars' plan to convert Range Rovers to extended-range Rovers in the U.K. While we applaud the idea of using electric vehicles in urban environments, it seems a little counter-productive to start with a large, heavy 4x4 like the Range Rover. Still, if the company is able to pull of its stated goal of creating 250 jobs along with "tens of thousands" of electric vehicles, we're all for it. To make this rather ambitious goal a reality, Liberty has invested £30 million into the "re-engineering" of the Rovers. A brand new electric drivetrain is being worked up, which is said to allow up to 200 miles of range on electricity alone for the Liberty Range Rover. Pricing starts at £95,000, and for £125,000, the company can fit the Landie with a range-extending generator, which makes the machine similar in concept to the much-hyped Chevy Volt. For those who can afford a $187,000 to $246,000 USD all-electric SUV, this is great news. For the rest of us, we hope these large electric luxury machines will allow for the adoption of smaller, lighter and therefore less expensive conversions in the near future.
Operation Gratitude is a nonprofit that assembles and sends care packages to troops serving overseas. To commemorate the occasion of its 300,000th package sent, Jeep ensured that particular box would contain a little extra "Thank You" in the form of keys to a brand new 2008 Jeep Liberty. Spc. Michael Gallagher (right), a vehicle commander from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division is currently stationed at FOB Warhorse in Baquba, Iraq. His name was the one randomly placed on box # 300,000. When informed by his CO that his attendance was required at a ceremony acknowledging the delivery, Gallagher recounts, "I thought it was just another care package and they were making a big deal about it because it was the 300,000th one." When he opened the box to find a letter from Chrysler and the Jeep keys, he realized exactly what the big deal was all about. Spc. Gallagher gets to pick up his new wheels when he returns to the States. While his new Liberty may be "Trail Rated," it won't hold a candle to his current work vehicle's off-road capabilities. Congratulations to him, a tip of the cap to Jeep for making his day, and thanks to the other men and women in uniform serving today. If you're interested in donating time or money to Operation Gratitude.
