Dodge Journey

Dodge Journey

Manufacturer	Chrysler
Also called	Fiat Freemont (Europe/Brazil) Dodge JC (Japan) Dodge JCUV (China)
Production	2008–present
Assembly	Toluca Car Assembly, Toluca, Mexico
Predecessor	Dodge Caravan, Short Wheelbase (North America) Fiat Ulysse (Europe)
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Body style(s)	5-door wagon/MPV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive/four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler JC platform
Engine(s)	2.0 L I4 Diesel 2.4 L (144 cu in) I4 2.7 L LH V6 3.5 L (215 cu in) EGG V6 3.6 L Pentastar V6
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	113.8 in (2891 mm)
Length	192.4 in (4887 mm)
Width	72.2 in (1834 mm)
Height	66.6 in (1692 mm) R/T: 69.5 in (1765 mm)
Related	Chrysler 200 Chrysler Sebring Dodge Avenger
Designer	Ryan Nagode

The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV built by the Dodge division of Chrysler.

First generation (JC49, 2008–)

Unveiled first at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and later appearing at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Journey identified internally as the JC49, has an almost identical wheelbase 113.8 in (2891 mm) as the outgoing Chrysler Pacifica, and shares a modified platform with the Dodge Avenger. 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. Production versions of 2009 model year vehicles went on sale in March 2008 in North America, and mid-2008 elsewhere.

Dodge JCUV

A version for the Chinese market was unveiled at Auto China in 2008, marketed as the JCUV. Initial model production began in 2009.

2010 revisions

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

2011 revisions

2011 Dodge Journey Mainstreet

Revisions for the 2011 model year include modifications to the grille, lower front fascia, interior, and use of Dodge's new logo, launched in 2010.

Chrysler forecasts that it will 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 will still be made in Mexico. In its place, a larger Durango will replace the Journey after the 2011 model year. The new Fiat Freemont will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2011.

Engines

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

Through 2010, the V6 offered in North America was a 3.5 L (214 cu in) with a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 235 hp (175 kW) and 232 ft·lbf (315 N·m) of torque. For 2011, it was changed to the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6, producing 283 hp (211 kW) and 260 ft·lbf (350 N·m) torque. 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.

A Volkswagen-sourced diesel engine is 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.

During development, Dodge benchmarked the European Ford S-Max, a popular multi-activity minivan.

North American models

The following trims were available in North America from 2008 to 2010:

• 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.
• Composite plastic tailgate.
• One-third of the Journey's body-structure, by weight, made of high-strength steel.
• Second row H-point is 1.6 inches (40 mm) higher than the first row; third row 0.6 inches (17 mm) higher still.
• Rear doors open 90 degrees.
• Markets outside North America in both left-hand and right-hand drive.
• 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.
• Rear doors open to a 90 degree angle allowing for easy rear access and helping child-seat installation.
• 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 city, 23-25 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.
• Traction control, rollover sensing, trailer sway control, tire pressure monitors, and a rear backup camera.

Fiat Freemont

Fiat Freemont

Chrysler will stop selling the Journey in Europe after the 2011 model year as Chrysler will rebadge the vehicle as Fiat Freemont (a Ulysse replacement), although the Freemont will still be made in Mexico. In its place, a larger Durango will replace the Journey after the 2011 model year. The new Fiat Freemont will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. The Freemont has different suspension tuning and cosmetics changes in front and rear bumbers. The Freemont will have 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.

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 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Sales

Calendar Year	United States	Canada	Outside North America	Total
2008	47,097	11,817	24,155	83,069
2009	59,381	15,390	15,908	90,679
2010	48,577	23,785	N/A	72,362

Marketing

Dodge Journeys assembled and marketed in Japan are known as Dodge JC because "Journey" has been used by Isuzu Motors.

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.

External links

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

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Dodge Journey