Dodge’s Australian Journey enters new phase

CHRYSLER Australia has announced full local specifications for its new Dodge Journey, the US brand’s first seven-seat wagon to be available with petrol and diesel power.

Due in Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge showrooms from late next month following its official launch on September 23, the Journey joins the small Caliber hatch, mid-sized Avenger sedan and mid-sized Nitro SUV as the fourth Dodge model in Australia.

Blurring the line between people-mover and SUV, the car-based front-drive Journey shares its underpinnings with the Chrysler group’s mid-sized Sebring and Avenger models.

To be available with two engines, two transmissions and two specification grades, and with a starting price expected to be in the low-$40,000s, Chrysler expects the Journey to be a volume-selling model for its fledgling Dodge brand in Australia, despite limited supplies from the US.

“The Journey is a whole new ball game for us,” said Chrysler Australia public relations manager Jerry Stamoulis. “As the only diesel-automatic combination of its type available, we have confident sales volume projections.

“We won’t do Kluger numbers and initial sales numbers will be low because we’re vying with other global markets, which are also taking delivery around the same time. But the car has received a good reception in the US and if we do the sales numbers we’ll then need to work hard and talk to the factory about increased supply.”

Said to combine the practicality of a people-mover, the flexibility of an SUV and the overall efficiency of a passenger car, Australia’s entry-level Journey will come powered by a 139kW/258Nm 2.7-litre petrol V6, similar to the one that powers the Dodge Avenger sedan and Chrysler Sebring sedan and cabriolet, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The petrol V6 will be available in two specification grades: the entry-level SXT, fitted with “YES essentials” stain/odour-resistant anti-static seat fabric, and the leather trimmed R/T flagship.

Both variants will come with a full complement of safety equipment as standard, including multi-stage twin front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags, (ESP) traction/stability control, an anti-rollover function dubbed Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) and an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The more interesting powertrain will be an optional 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-diesel engine that features four valves per cylinder and a variable-geometry turbocharger to produce 103kW and 310Nm of torque.

Available only in top-shelf R/T specification, the turbo-diesel will come only with a new Chrysler-Getrag six-speed double-clutch automated manual transmission, which makes its debut in the Journey.

The diesel engine option will come at a price premium over the petrol V6-powered Journey and is expected to deliver outstanding fuel consumption, thanks in part to the new dual-clutch auto, which is claimed to deliver a fuel economy improvement of up to six per cent compared to a conventional automatic, and also promises seamless and refined shift quality.

A 3.5-litre petrol V6 Journey is also available in the US, complete with all-wheel drive.

“Active life styler’s expectations will be exceeded with so many user-friendly amenities on the all-new Dodge Journey,” said the managing director of Chrysler Australia, Gerry Jenkins.

“This is a unique vehicle that will appeal to a crowd of consumers who want a reasonably priced, fuel efficient vehicle with seven seats today - not tomorrow.” “Offering Journey to the Australian market was an easy decision - seven seats, curtain airbags, ESP, automatic transmission and Dodge good looks are all standard across the range,” said Mr Jenkins.

The Journey will offer seven seats as standard, under-floor 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 area behind the rears eats.

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