Fiat Freemont, now with four-wheel drive

When Fiat announced plans to rename the Dodge Journey and Freemont in order to sell into the European market under its own brand, more than one was a bit skeptical about this decision. After all, the passage of Journey by our market was not enough to write home about. However, time always takes care to put each in its place and in this sense, it appears that sales have finally responded to expectations, making the Fremont one of the most important models in the range of the manufacturer Italian.

Facing the imminent Geneva Motor Show, Fiat introduced AWD versions with the expected four-wheel drive, but for now they are limited to two engines - one diesel and one petrol - and one automatic change of six relations. The first is the familiar 2.0 liter 170 hp MultiJet. Although not a benchmark in its segment, the 350 Nm of torque offered, available between 1,750 rpm and 2,750 rpm, and consumption of 7.3 l/100 km approved make Fremont a more than valid in the European market for versatile crossovers. For its part, the maximum speed of 184 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 11.0 seconds is expected of a vehicle like this.

The other engine available with the new AWD is the powerful 3.6 V6 Pentastar, an engine that yields 280 hp but which fit into the European market is much more doubtful. Although improvement in acceleration of 2.5 seconds over the figures of model diesel consumption of 11.3 l/100 km approved - equivalent to 262 g / km CO2 emissions! - Makes this version a real nonsense for times. Whatever engine you choose, the change will necessarily be an automatic six-relations, for the time AWD system is not offered with manual.

Unlike other all-wheel drive systems like the Torsen or viscous coupling, the Fiat Freemont will feature an electronic system that will work with the ESP system: when it detects a loss of traction on the front axle, the system sends power to the rear to the needs of the moment. Thus, the Fiat Freemont AWD will behave in the day to day as a front-wheel drive vehicle, sending power to the rear axle only when needed.

With the addition of four-wheel drive, Fiat has taken a new twist to the surprising success of Freemont (especially in Italy, with 25,000 units sold in six months). With what has snowed in the last days and considering that these versions are highly valued in the countries of northern Europe, would not be surprising that the Fiat Freemont runs to consolidate as one of the seven-seat crossovers the market leader. I bet the makers of Dodge must be wondering why Fiat has gone well the play and they do not ...