Fiat Freemont

2012 Fiat Freemont

Summer in Europe is almost here and what would be better prepare for the long weekend is the new Fiat Freemont, the first Fiat under the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat and it is essentially based on the Dodge Journey/JC (recently on its Phase II). The Fiat Freemont was imported from Mexico, where the Toluca plant made those.

First off, the Freemont is a crossover utility vehicle that will compete the likes of the Chevrolet Orlando (made in Korea), Kia Sportage R, Hyundai Tucson iX, Peugeot 3008, or even the European Ford Kuga. It features sharp edgier design that has something you might want for the Italian-American experience. It was made for their active lifestyles and it is ready for the long European vacation.

The interior of the Fiat Freemont is highly convenient for everyone. With seating up to seven passengers, experiencing the new Freemont is just one thing to enjoy the long weekend with your friends and family. Okay, there are optional features such as the rear entertainment system that lets passengers watch their favorite movies while on the go. There is also a special navigation system that you can listen to music, to radio, watch movies, or seek directions on your next destination. You'll be glad to know that this car has Bluetooth connectivity so hands-free calling is simple as ABC. Aside from that, there are various seating arrangements offered on the new Fiat Freemont. Think about what comes next and you need to pick which seating arrangements fit your situation. Think of carrying so many babies, playing chess inside the Freemont, bring everything you saw, or you just want to sleep inside the Freemont when your wife doesn't let you in. The Fiat Freemont is made for your hectic lifestyles. Don't forget that when you're here.

At its launch, the Fiat Freemont is offered with the 2.0L Multijet 16-valve CRDi engine. It can be either 140ps or 170ps of power output but its transmission is a 6-speed manual transmission. Not quite good as a family mover but it can be a great part of your driving pleasures. The 2.0L Multijet 16-valve CRDi engine is Euro 5 compliant so this engine performed the cleanest possibilities on the European roads.

The Fiat Freemont is available at the following colors such as Bianco Idealista, Grigio Argento Vivo, Nero Indomito, Rosso Avventuriero, Blu Amletico, Grigio Viaggiatore, and Perla Esploratore.

My comment:
The Fiat Freemont is essentially based on the Dodge Journey thanks to the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat. Since Dodge is exiting the Italian market and no longer selling the Dodge Journey, the Fiat Freemont takes place. I just hope someone has some kind of badge conversion kits that can transform the Dodge Journey Phase II into the Fiat Freemont. The Dodge Journey is for the North American market while the Fiat Freemont is for the European market. It doesn't matter which side are you on but what it is made it more like Americans eating Italian pasta while riding.

One warning if CATS Motors bringing the Fiat brand to the Philippines very soon, they will offer the Freemont instead of the Journey but the engine lineup will source from the American versions. If both the Journey and Freemont come to the Philippines, be ready for a protracted fight. I don't know which one of these two will bring it to the Philippines soon but only CATS Motors will tell if they will bring the Dodge Journey Phase II or return Fiat to the Philippines so they will bring the Freemont.



Photo: Fiat Automobiles SpA

Dodge Journey/Chrysler Dodge JC Minor Change

For the second phase of Dodge's crossover utility vehicle, the Dodge Journey (known in Japan as Chrysler Dodge JC) gained an even more aggressive stance to max out its crossover potential and to repel the competition away from boring crossovers.

2011 Dodge Journey

2011 Dodge Journey interior

The revised Journey/JC comes with the new trademark Dodge grille as seen on the third-generation Durango and the upcoming Charger sedan, packed with an aggressive front bumper to bring out its cool appeal. The rear view's also changed with the hint of the DODGE emblem spelled it out like this "D O D G E" and minus the Ram logo. With the aggressive minor change, every young drivers in their 20's and 30's would go gaga for that stylish and handsome crossover.

The interior of the Journey/JC has been heavily redesigned to make it more functional, sophisticated, and high-tech, bringing out every edge of fun factor for the driver. Depending on the variant, the Journey has some of the finest features like Uconnect touch CD/DVD/MP3 player, Infinity Premium Speakers, Uconnect Voice Command, Audio Jack input for most mobile devices, USB port, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio with free 1-year subscription to SIRIUS Radio Service. Best of all, the Journey can seat up to seven passengers. Great for the middle class families and for the hip youngsters for their next road trip.

There are now two available engines offered on the Journey/JC Phase II; aside from the entry-level 2.4L DOHC 16V Dual VVT engine, there is a new Pentastar V6 3.6L VVT engine. Debuted in the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee last year, the new Pentastar V6 3.6L VVT produces 283HP/6350rpm and the fuel economy of 25mpg highway. Most Journey/JC variants with the new Pentastar V6 engine comes standard with the 6-Speed Automatic 62TE Transmission, while the entry level 2.4L variant is equipped with just the 4-Speed Automatic VLP Transmission. The best variant is the new 3.6L variant because of the gears, new engine, everything you need to know.

My thoughts about the Journey:
Revamped to take on new challenges (and the possibility of coming to Europe as the Fiat Freemont), the second phase of the Journey/JC is just one of the many reasons why Dodge is back from the dead. With the new Durango, new Charger, Grand Caravan minor change, improved Challenger, and the Avenger's minor change, it is good to say that the latest minor change for the Journey/JC is just one of them and adopting Dodge's new concept "Never Neutral", they are always NEVER NEUTRAL on North American roads.

I just hope that CATS Motors got the memo and bring either the Dodge Journey's minor change or possibly the Fiat Freemont to the Philippines soon but pricing seems to be an unhappy manner because it might just cost us over 2 million Philippine Pesos for the 2.4L variant and over 3 million pesos for the 3.6L V6 variant.

Photo: Chrysler Group, LLC.

Italian Journey?!

2012 Fiat Freemont

As the Dodge Journey (Dodge JC in Japan), received a minor change and soon on US dealerships this year, I think that Fiat has something to bring this facelifted Journey to Europe as a Fiat.

Replacing the Europe-spec Dodge Journey is the Fiat Freemont, the OEM of the Dodge Journey.

I have one weird feeling; if FIAT returns to the Philippines soon, can the Fiat Freemont replace our Dodge Journey?

I don't know but the Freemont is scheduled for Geneva debut this March...