Fiat Reveals Dodge Journey
At the Geneva auto show in March, Fiat will unveil the Freemont, a rebadged Dodge Journey for the European market. It will appear alongside another American export, the Lancia-labeled Chrysler 200, which is expected to be called the Flavia.
Other than the Freemont’s front fascia—which features three quarters of the Dodge’s crosshair grille—the differences are nominal. Most significant, the Freemont’s powertrain lineup adds two diesel options, which are sure to make up the overwhelming majority of sales in Europe. Shoppers will be able to choose from a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel with either 140 or 170 hp. Although Fiat hasn’t yet released full specs, in other applications these engines make a respective 236 or 266 lb-ft of torque. The diesels will be available only with manual transmissions and front-wheel drive. The range-topping Freemont will come with Chrysler’s powerful 3.6-liter V-6, a six-speed autobox, and all-wheel drive as the only configuration.
This car was previously sold in Europe under its Dodge Journey birth name, with either the 2.4-liter gas engine that was also offered in the U.S., or a transplanted Volkswagen four-cylinder diesel. It was not a stunning success, but that was also before the Journey was vastly improved through a reworked suspension and major interior upgrades. Marketing was weak in Europe under the poorly represented Dodge brand, too, so Fiat’s big dealer network should be a boon.
While the Journey isn’t a class leader, adding the Freemont nevertheless gives Fiat a credible three-row crossover overnight. Other European brands have gone a similar route, with Peugeot and Citroën offering their own versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander. Coincidentally, both the Journey and the Outlander spring from architectures that can be traced back to a Chrysler-Mitsubishi small-car collaboration of yore.
Check back during the first days of March for our full coverage of the Geneva auto show, which will include more details on the exhilarating Freemont and even more heart-pumping stuff (Click here! It’s a new Ferrari!).
At the Geneva auto show in March, Fiat will unveil the Freemont, a rebadged Dodge Journey for the European market. It will appear alongside another American export, the Lancia-labeled Chrysler 200, which is expected to be called the Flavia.
Other than the Freemont’s front fascia—which features three quarters of the Dodge’s crosshair grille—the differences are nominal. Most significant, the Freemont’s powertrain lineup adds two diesel options, which are sure to make up the overwhelming majority of sales in Europe. Shoppers will be able to choose from a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel with either 140 or 170 hp. Although Fiat hasn’t yet released full specs, in other applications these engines make a respective 236 or 266 lb-ft of torque. The diesels will be available only with manual transmissions and front-wheel drive. The range-topping Freemont will come with Chrysler’s powerful 3.6-liter V-6, a six-speed autobox, and all-wheel drive as the only configuration.
This car was previously sold in Europe under its Dodge Journey birth name, with either the 2.4-liter gas engine that was also offered in the U.S., or a transplanted Volkswagen four-cylinder diesel. It was not a stunning success, but that was also before the Journey was vastly improved through a reworked suspension and major interior upgrades. Marketing was weak in Europe under the poorly represented Dodge brand, too, so Fiat’s big dealer network should be a boon.
While the Journey isn’t a class leader, adding the Freemont nevertheless gives Fiat a credible three-row crossover overnight. Other European brands have gone a similar route, with Peugeot and Citroën offering their own versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander. Coincidentally, both the Journey and the Outlander spring from architectures that can be traced back to a Chrysler-Mitsubishi small-car collaboration of yore.
Check back during the first days of March for our full coverage of the Geneva auto show, which will include more details on the exhilarating Freemont and even more heart-pumping stuff (Click here! It’s a new Ferrari!).
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