Source: New Car Test Drive
January 28, 2008
On Sale: First Quarter 2008
Expected Pricing: Mid-$20,000s
A new crossover SUV called the Dodge Journey goes on sale in early 2008.
Larger than the Caliber hatchback but smaller than the Grand Caravan minivan, the Dodge Journey rides on the same D platform as the Avenger and Sebring. However, its wheelbase is five inches longer to make room for three rows of seats.
Journey will offer a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, the latter restricted to V6 models.
The base powerplant is the 2.4-liter four-cylinder world engine with 173 horsepower mated to a four-speed automatic. Powertrain options include a 2.7-liter flex-fuel V6 with 186 horsepower on SXT versions, or a 3.5-liter V6 with 235 horsepower and a six-speed automatic on the top R/T models. Fuel economy is expected to be 19/25 mpg for the four-cylinder model under the new 2008 EPA measuring system.
Journey's interior offers five seats with rear passenger doors that open a full 90 degrees for easy entry and exit. An optional third row can carry two more people for a total of seven.
Tip 'N' Fold seats in the second row provide quick access to the back with the turn of a lever. Both second-row seats and the front passenger seat fold to form a flat load surface. An optional Flip 'N' Stow front passenger seat allows owners to stow cargo underneath the seat cushion. A pair of storage bins under the passenger footwell of the second row offers a clever feature: Each bin is designed to hold a dozen 12-ounce cans surrounded by ice. The bins have removable liners and can be easily drained and cleaned after a tailgating party.
A navigation system with a rearview camera, a 40-gigabyte music storage hard-drive, 19-inch tires and wheels, and an eight-inch color monitor for DVD viewing will be among the options.
Journey will come with the whole package of safety equipment including front, side and curtain air bags, ABS, electronic stability control and rollover mitigation.
Dodge is the new international brand of Chrysler LLC and held the world premiere of this new crossover SUV at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The U.S. versions will be assembled at the Chrysler LLC factory in Toluca, Mexico. The Journey extends the use of the platform currently used for the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring sedans sold in the U.S. to a new family hauler for world markets. The U.S. version of the Dodge Journey should arrive in early 2008, with a Chrysler version of this same long-wheelbase platform to follow.
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www.chrysler.com
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