Super TestCar reviews - Dodge - Journey - 5-dr wagon rangeDodge modelsLaunch Story25 Sep 2008 DODGE has launched its new Journey crossover wagon in Australia with sharp pricing up to $5500 less than seven-seat competitors such as the Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger. The three-model Journey range starts from $36,990 for the V6 petrol SXT, with a premium specification called the R/T priced at $41,990 as a V6 or $46,990 as a 2.0-litre CRD turbo-diesel. The Journey will only be sold as a front-wheel drive with automatic transmission (a dual-clutch in the CRD), with the all-wheel drive powertrain available in the US only with a 3.5-litre V6 engine. The Journey is based on the Dodge Avenger/Chrysler Sebring platform and uses the 2.7-litre V6 also fitted to these models. The 2.0-litre CRD is a Volkswagen engine that is also used in various Chrysler products such as the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Caliber and Jeep Patriot and Compass. The Dodge is a tall-riding wagon measuring 4888mm in overall length, 1878mm in width and 1745mm in height. Kerb weights range from 1750kg to 1785kg, and the Journey has a maximum towing capacity of 1600kg and 160kg ball download. As GoAuto reported in August, the new model will arrive with a full kit of safety equipment on all models, such as multi-stage twin front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags, traction/stability control, an anti-rollover function dubbed Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), trailer sway control and an anti-lock braking system (ABS). The 2.7-litre V6 develops 136kW of power at 5500rpm and 256Nm of torque at a high 4000rpm. Fuel consumption is quoted as 10.3L/100km combined and CO2 output is 246g/km. Claimed acceleration to 100km/h is 11.6 seconds and top speed is 182km/h. The 2.7 V6 is teamed to a conventional six-speed automatic also used extensively in other Chrysler products. The 2.0-litre CRD turbo-diesel produces 103kW of power at 4000rpm and 310Nm of torque at 1750-2500rpm. The official combined fuel figure is 7.0L/100km and CO2 output is186g/km. Claimed acceleration to 100km/h is timed at 13.2 seconds, on to a top speed of 188km/h. Only available in the R/T specification grade, the turbo-diesel will be available uniquely with a new Chrysler-Getrag six-speed double-clutch automated manual transmission, which makes its debut in the Journey. The new dual-clutch auto is claimed to deliver a fuel economy improvement of up to six per cent compared with a conventional automatic. The gearbox has dual launch and shift clutches with a manual transmission-style lay-shaft gear set-up in preference to a conventional torque converter and planetary gearset. One clutch drives the odd-numbered gears and reverse, while the other clutch drives the even-numbered gears. The transmission anticipates the next gear and pre-selects it. Then one clutch is opened while the other is closed, allowing shifting without torque interruption. As with similar systems found in DSG-equipped Volkswagen Group models and DCT-equipped BMW 3 Series models, the result is quicker acceleration and better shift quality. Chrysler claims the lay-shaft arrangement of gears allows increased flexibility to allow ideal gear ratio selection for performance and fuel economy. Extensive weight-saving and strengthening measures have also been implemented. According to Chrysler, 36 per cent of the vehicle’s structure (by weight) contains hot-stamped and high-strength steels. The American manufacturer claims that the Journey’s hot-stamped steel A and B-pillars reduce upper body weight by 13.6kg compared with conventional steel equivalents. A composite tailgate is also used, reducing weight by a claimed 20 per cent. Furthermore, the Journey has extensive use of what Chrysler calls “next-generation” elastic adhesives, which add strength to joints, creating a more rigid body structure, which in turn reduces noise, vibration and harshness levels. The crossover is built on a monocoque chassis with all-independent suspension comprising MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link configuration at the rear. It uses rack-and-pinion steering and has a turning circle of 11.5 metres (SXT) or 11.7 metres (R/T). Four-wheel disc brakes are also included, measuring 302x28mm up front and 305x12mm at the rear. The Journey offers seven seats as standard, an underfloor storage compartment, theatre-style second-row seats that flip and slide with the push of a lever, a 50/50-split third-row seat with reclining seatbacks and an in-floor storage bin behind the rear seats. The rear doors open 90 degrees for easier access, and the front passenger seat also flips forward for carrying long loads. Cargo tie-down loops are supplied in the cargo area and four 12-volt power sockets are supplied throughout the cabin. Standard equipment on the SXT entry-level grade includes dual-zone front climate-control, rear air-conditioning, front and rear foglights, a removable/rechargeable LED flashlight, folding and heated side mirrors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, AM/FM six-CD six-speaker sound system with MP3 capability and auxiliary input jack, remote central locking, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a reach/rake-adjustable steering column, roof rails, and 17-inch alloy wheels on 225/65R17 tyres. The R/T grade adds leather trim, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped gearshifter and steering wheel (the latter with audio controls), 19-inch alloy wheels with 225/55R19 tyres, a chrome-detail instrument cluster, chrome door-handles, body-coloured sills and chrome roof-rails. The 2.0 CRD also includes hill-start assist. Options include a MyGIG entertainment system ($3250), an electric sunroof ($2000), a second-row video screen ($1500), rear park assist ($400), metallic paint ($300) and tinted windows ($300, SXT only). All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
Super TestClick to share
|
Facebook Twitter Instagram