Dodge Journey

Dodge Journey
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler
Also called	Fiat Freemont (Australia/Europe/Brazil/China/South Korea)[1] Dodge JC (Japan) Dodge JCUV (China)
Production	2008–present
Model years	2009–present
Assembly	Mexico: Toluca, Mexico State (TCA)
Designer	Ryan Nagode
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size CUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive/four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler JC platform
Related	Chrysler 200 Chrysler Sebring Dodge Avenger
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L VW I4 (t/c diesel) 2.0 L JTD I4 (t/c diesel) 2.4 L World I4 (gasoline) 2.7 L LH V6 (gasoline) 3.5 L EGG V6 (gasoline)[2] 3.6 L Pentastar V6 (gasoline)
Transmission	4-speed Ultradrive 41TE automatic 5-speed Magna T355 manual 6-speed Aisin BG6 manual 6-speed Fiat C635 manual 6-speed Getrag Mps6 DCT automatic 6-speed Ultradrive 62TE automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	113.8 in (2,891 mm)
Length	192.4 in (4,887 mm)
Width	72.2 in (1,834 mm)
Height	66.6 in (1,692 mm) R/T: 69.5 in (1,765 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	North America: Dodge Caravan (Short-Wheelbase version only) Europe: Fiat Ulysse Fiat Croma

The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV built by the Dodge division of Chrysler. It started as a 2009 model in the lineup in late 2008 and was substantially updated for the 2011 model year.

First generation (JC49, 2008–)

Unveiled first at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show,^[3][4] and later appearing at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show,^[5] the Journey identified internally as the JC49,^[6] has an shorter wheelbase 113.8 in (2,891 mm) than the outgoing Chrysler Pacifica, and shares a modified platform with the Dodge Avenger.^[7] Featuring 5 or (5+2) passenger seating with four forward-hinged doors, and as with past models of the Chrysler minivans, the Journey is available with a four-cylinder engine. The Journey's exterior was styled by Chrysler's Ryan Nagode.^[8]

Dodge JCUV in China

Production versions of 2009 model year vehicles went on sale in March 2008 in North America, and mid-2008 elsewhere. A version for the Chinese market was unveiled at Auto China in 2008, marketed as the JCUV. Initial model production began in 2009.^[9] Freemont went on sale in Russia in 2013.^[10]

With model year 2010, the model name emblem moved to the right-end of the trunklid, replaced by the brand emblem.

2011 update

Post-facelift 2012 Dodge Journey SXT

Revisions for the 2011 model year include modifications to the grille, lower front fascia, interior, suspension, steering, powertrain, and use of Dodge's new logo, launched in 2010.^[11]

Chrysler forecasted that it would stop marketing the Journey in Europe as a Dodge model after the 2011 model year, instead marketing the vehicle as Fiat Freemont (a Ulysse replacement). The Freemont is still being made in Mexico.^[12] The new Fiat Freemont was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2011.^[13] In addition, parent company Fiat decided to no longer market Chrysler & Dodge in Europe, as all Chryslers in Europe became Lancia vehicles and all Dodges became Fiat vehicles.

For the 2012 model year, the Journey becomes Dodge's smallest SUV after its smaller but more expensive counterpart, the Nitro finished production. Chrysler added the Dodge logo with two slanted rectangles instead of just showing the Dodge text for the 2012 models.

North American models

The following trims were available in North America from 2008 to 2010:^[14]

• SE - 2.4L 173 hp (129 kW) I4
• SXT - 3.5L 235 hp (175 kW) V6
• SXT AWD - 3.5L 235 hp (175 kW) V6
• R/T - 3.5L 235 hp (175 kW) V6
• R/T AWD - 3.5L 235 hp (175 kW) V6

Features:

• Aluminum hood.^[15]
• Composite plastic tailgate.^[15]
• One-third of the Journey's body-structure, by weight, made of high-strength steel.^[6]
• Second row H-point is 1.6 inches (40.6 mm) higher than the first row; third row 0.6 inches (15.2 mm) (17 mm) higher still.^[7]
• Rear doors open 90-degree angle^[7] allowing for easy rear access and helping child-seat installation.
• Markets outside North America in both left-hand and right-hand drive.^[7]
• Under-floor storage lockers behind front seats.
• Rear climate control vents and optional rear climate control panel.
• Extra power outlets.
• Optional hard-drive-based stereo/navigation/phone system.
• Interior child-view mirror.
• Optional booster seats (these are not integrated child seats but are aimed at older children).
• Theatre seating (second row is substantially higher than the first row).
• Third row of foldaway "occasional use" seats (with minimal seat height and legroom).
• Gas mileage: 16–19 mpg_-US (15–12 L/100 km; 19–23 mpg_-imp) city, 23–25 mpg_-US (10.2–9.4 L/100 km; 28–30 mpg_-imp) highway (2008 United States Environmental Protection Agency figures).
• Standard (US & Canada) multi-stage front driver and passenger air bags, front-seat-mounted side air bags, three-row side-curtain air bags, standard four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP), and electronic roll mitigation, brake assist.^[7]
• Traction control, rollover sensing, trailer sway control, tire pressure monitors, and a rear backup camera.

Fiat Freemont

Fiat Freemont's front badge (the exterior itself remains substantially unchanged)

Chrysler stopped selling the Journey in Europe after the 2011 model year as Chrysler rebadged the vehicle as Fiat Freemont (a Ulysse/Croma replacement), although the Freemont is still made in Mexico.^[12] In its place, a larger Durango replaced the Journey after the 2011 model year. The new Fiat Freemont was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2011.^[13]

The Freemont had its Italian launch in the end of May 2011.^[16] The Freemont has different suspension tuning and cosmetics changes in front and rear bumpers.^[17] The interior is completely different between the two models.

The Freemont has two front-wheel-drive turbodiesel variants the 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and the 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) version of Fiat's 2.0 L Multijet turbodiesel. Later will be introduced all-wheel-drive version of 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) diesel and the Pentastar V6.^[18]

The Freemont was originally available in LHD markets only. A RHD model was introduced to Australia in April 2013.

In Australia and Brazil, both the Freemont and the Journey are available for sale. However, to create a distinct market for the two vehicles, the Freemont is only available with the 2.0 and 2.4L 4-cylinder engines, while the Journey is now only sold with the Pentastar V6 engine (both engines were available before the launch of the Freemont).

Engines

Dodge Journey SXT Diesel (Europe)

The available four-cylinder is a 2.4 L (146 cu in), with 173 hp (129 kW) and 166 lb·ft (225 N·m) of torque; a version of Chrysler's GEMA, "World Engine" class of four-cylinder engines shared with Hyundai and Mitsubishi.^[2][19]

Through 2010, the V6 offered in North America was a 3.5 L (214 cu in)^[2] with a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 235 hp (175 kW) and 232 lb·ft (315 N·m) of torque. For 2011, it was changed to the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, producing 283 hp (211 kW) and 260 lb·ft (350 N·m) torque.^[20] Other markets offer the six-speed automatic transmission with the flex-fuel (E85 compatible) 2.7-liter V6. All-wheel drive is only available with a V6.

Also through 2010 a Volkswagen-sourced diesel engine was available outside of North America with an automatically shifted dual clutch transmission. Chrysler performed primary engineering for the dual-clutch transmission with support from long-time partner Getrag, which was to build the transmission in the United States. Due to funding issues, this did not happen, and the factory, nearly finished, was sold and used for other purposes.^[21] For the second generation in 2011 it was replaced by the Fiat 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with 140 hp (100 kW) or 170 hp (130 kW) and 258 lb·ft (350 N·m) of torque and a manual or optional automatic six-speed transmission.

Safety

Euro NCAP test results
Fiat Freemont (2011)[22]
Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	30	83%
Child occupant:	40	82%
Pedestrian:	18	50%
Safety assist:	5	71%

NHTSA 2012 Dodge Journey:^[23][24]

Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover FWD:	/ 18.5%
Rollover AWD:	/ 17.9%

Production

Chrysler manufactures the Journey at the 220-acre (0.89 km²) Toluca Car Assembly in Toluca, Mexico, on the same assembly line as the Fiat 500 (2007).^[7]

Sales

Marketing

Dodge Journeys marketed in Japan are known as Dodge JC because "Journey" has been used by Isuzu Motors. JCs were qualified by the Japanese government to be included in Subsidy Scheme for Environmentally Friendly Vehicles.^[37]

As part of the vehicle's introductory promotion, Dario Franchitti's No. 40 Dodge Charger carried a "Journey" paint scheme for the 2008 Daytona 500 on February 17, 2008.^[38]

Future

On 25 March 2013, Chrysler CEO has announced that the Journey will get a second generation refinement for the 2015 model year, alongside the new mid-size sedan Avenger replacement, nameplated "Aspen". Both will be based on Fiat-derived prototypes, currently in testing.^{[citation needed]}

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dodge Journey.

• Dodge
• Dodge Journey U.S.
• Dodge JC Japan
• Test Drive: DODGE Journey 2.0 CRD SXT - 2009 - by Autoevolution.com
• Dodge Journey 2009 2010 Tecnical Information
• Dodge Journey Club