Today, Jeep has re-launched the Cherokee today at the New York Auto Show and Moab, Utah. The 2014 Cherokee fits into the void in the company left when the Liberty was removed, offering a mid-sized SUV that offers a fuel economy of up to 31 mph.

While the 2014 Grand Cherokee was fitted with an eight-speed transmission, the new Cherokee receives this segment’s first nine-speed automatic transmission to provide fuel improvements of more than 45 percent compared to the Liberty. The Cherokee offers a best-in-class V-6 towing capability of 4,500 pounds. It also boasts a rear-axle disconnect that can be activated when 4×4 isn’t needed to reduce energy loss and increase fuel efficiency.

Jeep and Mopar will be showcasing its unique concept vehicles next week at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Off-Road.com will be on hand to provide more in-depth coverage of the event, which is in its 47th year, along with a closer look at each of the Jeep-Mopar vehicles.

“Off-road enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised by the range of Jeep models we’re bringing to this year’s Easter Jeep Safari,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We go to this extremely popular event in Moab each year to showcase the latest production vehicles from Jeep, as well as a host of new customization and personalization ideas. In doing so, we connect with and receive a tremendous amount of feedback from our most loyal customers.”

Jeep and Mopar have just released a few sketches previewing the concept vehicles they will showcase to the media at the upcoming 47th annual Easter Jeep Safari.

The Easter Jeep Safari, which takes place in Moab, Utah, from March 23-31, gathers Jeep and off-road enthusiasts to the area for a number of trail runs and off-road events throughout the week. For years Jeep and Mopar have teamed up to create unique concept vehicles for the event, which they show off to the media at an invite-only gathering. Off-Road.com will be on hand to check out the new vehicles and even take them for a short spin to report how they feel.

Leaked photos last week prompted Jeep to at least reveal images of the 2014 Cherokee, which hit the news cycle while we were in Texas testing the new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The all-new design of the popular Jeep Cherokee platform is certainly unique.

The new 2014 Cherokee will be filling the spot of the Liberty, which will not return to the company’s lineup in 2014. It does feature styling of the Grand Cherokee and Compass, but its size and smaller headlights also put it more in line to the Nissan Juke and vehicles of that size.

SEE MORE: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review and Info

At a press conference in Santa Monica last week, Jeep gathered the media to make two major announcements – a new Wrangler model and a new partnership with USA Basketball for 2012.

First off, Jeep will offer a limited run of the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude. This monochromatic-styled Wrangler is based on the Unlimited Sahara model, offering body-color hardtop and black-gloss exterior parts that include the gas cap and wheels, to name a few. The unit will be available in Deep Cherry Red, Black or Bright White, and only 4,500 units of the 2012 Wrangler Unlimited Altitude will be available. It will be hitting showrooms next month.

“With a production run of only 4,5000 units, we expect the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude to sell out very quickly,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO of the Jeep brand.

HOUSTON – The Jeep brand has introduced a new, production-intent concept version of its award-winning Grand Cherokee, a unique model with distinctive yet stealthy exterior cues designed to attract new Jeep Grand Cherokee enthusiasts and customers.

Showing the vehicle publicly for the first time this morning at the Houston Auto Show, Jeep also announced that it has created an online contest for consumers to name the new production-intent Grand Cherokee concept.  The person who chooses the winning name will have an opportunity to win a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

“Highlighted by a unique platinum-chrome front-end appearance and distinctive black-gloss 20-inch wheels and exterior treatments, our new Grand Cherokee concept provides a completely new look – one that is edgy and aggressive, and certainly different than any Grand Cherokee on the road today,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.  “Jeep enthusiasts have always appreciated limited-edition models and the ability to customize their vehicles.  This new Grand Cherokee comes with a unique, ‘factory-customized’ stealth appearance directly from Jeep, and is certain to attract interest from an array of potential customers.

“We plan to garner feedback from consumers at the Houston Auto Show, and via our online Jeep ‘Name My Ride’ contest,” Manley added.  “If the level of excitement is what we anticipate, this new Grand Cherokee will be in Jeep showrooms this spring.”

Jeep recently invited Off-Road.com to Los Angeles for a lunch at the Automobile Driving Museum. Jeep decided to gather some of the automotive media to highlight some of its 2011 vehicles, including the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee. Chris Ellis, head of marketing for the Jeep brand, was on hand to walk us through some of the features of the new vehicles. We had the chance to meet Ellis at last year’s Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Jeep has kept a relatively low profile in the past year, which Ellis noted that other than the launch of the new Grand Cherokee, the company has been a little quiet … on purpose.

Motor Trend’s yearly awards are interesting to readers and can create great headlines for vehicle manufacturers, so it’s always interesting to hear that an off-road-related vehicle is up for an award. That is the case with the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (see the Off-Road.com review here).

Motor Trend recently discussed that the new Jeep is in contention as Sport/Utility vehicle of the year. The all-new platform is noted in the piece as taking direct aim at vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz M-Class as being a more capable off-road vehicle.

As we all should know, nothing is as easy as it looks.  Sure, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is an off-road icon but unfortunately it doesn’t come installed with off-road skills, the guys in this video may have not thought this maneuver through fully, that’ll learn ‘em!

Click the jump to see the video.