The 2011 Jeep Phoenix... why not?
2011 Jeep Phoenix – Click above for image gallery
With Chrysler's proposed alliance with Fiat all but a done deal, people have begun turning their attention towards the Italian automaker's vehicle line up and creating a wish list of which ones they'd like to see for sale over here in the U.S. Thing is, those people should keep in mind that any Fiat making the long trek overseas may not be badged a Fiat when it arrives. Before any Fiat sets foot on these shores, it may be transformed into a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep model. And so we present you this, the 2011 Jeep Phoenix, a wish for what might be when Chrysler starts getting new vehicles from Fiat. The owner of this idea claims the Fiat Panda Cross 4x4 is an eminently suitable canvas on which to create a small, fuel efficient yet very capable Jeep. While never having driven the Panda ourselves, we've been hearing Europeans rave about it for some time. And for some reason, the Phoenix strikes us as less antithetical to the Jeep ethos than the Compass does. Check out the gallery below for more renderings and let us know if you think the Panda could cut it as a Jeep.
Gallery: 2011 Jeep Phoenix
[Source: Hubpages]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
John 5:04PM (5/07/2009)
No thanks :)
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Smegley 5:34PM (5/07/2009)
John, dont give up hope, man. With any luck we will get the late 1990s Fiat Multipla soon!
See for yourself!: http://qewl.com/pages/ugliestcar.shtml
Victor 6:18PM (5/07/2009)
Looks more "Trail rated" than the Compass!
Mr Clickerson 6:43PM (5/07/2009)
That Fiat looks like a platypus.
Jeff Banks 7:08PM (5/07/2009)
The Fiat Panda doesn't look like it has any off road capability, but it does pretty good for what it is. See a recent Fifth Gear Episode where they took one into a coal mine and gassed one around with a Land Rover. It looked like a hell of a lot of fun.
Judy Zik 12:46AM (5/08/2009)
I always wanted to have the chance to rent a Multipla! It is right up there with the Aztec and Toyota's FJ Fugly on my list of vehicles that made me burst out laughing when I first saw them. But then Fiat has had their share of stinkers.
James 1:04AM (5/08/2009)
This makes the Suzuki SX4 aka Sedici look good...err, oops that's a Fiat too.
Kumar 5:05PM (5/07/2009)
Not bad. I like the simple, utilitarian dash, but some of that plastic exterior cladding has to go.
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Jimbo 5:08PM (5/07/2009)
I'm not sure why, but I always thought the Skoda Yeti would have made a perfect entry-level Jeep. But alas, that's a VW product, not a Fiat.
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Tdogg 5:08PM (5/07/2009)
No... it doesnt even look close to jeep's recent designs.
This as a 4X4 Caliber would be way better.
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the_MVP_X 5:09PM (5/07/2009)
Oh riiight, kill the Wrangler legend and bring this, just nope.
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Brent 6:11PM (5/07/2009)
What are you talking about?
The Luigiian 7:31PM (5/07/2009)
@Brent:
He's saying the legend of the original Jeep Wrangler--descended from the greatest of military vehicles, ultimate off-road machine--is being tarnished and ruined by a host of new Jeeps that have little to no off-road capability and have little charisma. This vehicle if it comes without off-road gear for example, the terrible Compass, the overweight and overwrought Liberty, the underdeveloped Patriot (had potential but was poorly executed) etcetera etcetera.
I agree with him that without off-road capability a vehicle should not be sold as a Jeep, and that Jeep could be killed just as easily as Pontiac or Hummer if it's the victim of excessive badge engineering.
Riaf28 8:49PM (5/07/2009)
I think they are saying position this under the Wrangler.
Also the Panda has plenty of Off-Road 'cred', it is used in the mountains a lot in small European towns since it can get to places the bigger SUVs can't.
You should youtube the Fifth gear review of the Panda, it isn't the greatest thing out there but it isn't supposed to be either.
This would cause way less tarnish to the Jeep brand than the Compass or Commander.
Mattias 1:24AM (5/08/2009)
This Panda 4x4 is the delivery vehicle of choice by the Post in the Swiss and French Alps. It is very popular because it is narrow and because it has such a short wheelbase. So it can operate on paths and tight switchbacks initially intended as hiking trails. Because of the short wheelbase the ground clearance does not need to be as high as with longer wheelbase vehicles.
The only big criticism is about the engine. The 1.3l turbo diesel does not have significant torque below 1900rpm and reaches its torque maximux at 2000rpm. For proper navigation on narrow roads one would wish a slightly larger engine with significant torque around 1500rpm.
BTW: Rhe original Panda 4x4 is this cool old vehicle, capable of doing the Dakar:
http://www.a112.de/html/paris-dakar_panda.html
John 5:14PM (5/07/2009)
Barf.
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Ben 5:18PM (5/07/2009)
i just threw up in my mouth a little bit
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Bloke 6:33PM (5/07/2009)
^^I was expecting this comment from one of the American pre-teens on here.
Ben 6:58PM (5/07/2009)
I'm 25...yikes.
Bloke 7:06PM (5/07/2009)
25? But of course ...