Dodge Journey gets more efficient, less CO₂, if you live in the UK

When the Dodge Journey debuted here in the U.S. market a couple of years ago, it looked decent from the outside. Sadly, the interior was pretty atrocious and the performance and fuel economy were mediocre at best. For 2010, Journey buyers can get up to 37.3 miles per gallon, combined, at least if they live in the UK. Meanwhile, Americans are stuck with Chrysler's unloved 2.4-liter I4 or the old 2.7-liter V6 with EPA numbers of 19/25 mpg or 16/24 mpg respectively.

How do the Brits do so well? Diesel of course. European-spec Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles are available with diesel engines. The Journey gets a 2.0-liter turbodiesel I4 with a choice of 6-speed manual or Getrag dual clutch gearbox (DCT). It's possible to get a 2.4-liter gas engine, but almost no one buys that so it doesn't matter. For 2010, the manual transmission diesel drops CO₂ emissions by 5 g/km and DCT is cut by 10 g/km. In both cases, the vehicle now drops into a lower tax band (based on CO₂ emissions), which reduces registration fees for owners. Perhaps Fiat will one day allow Americans a chance at a diesel Journey – along with a new interior.

[Source: Chrysler UK]

PRESS RELEASE

THE DODGE JOURNEY NOW WITH LOWER CO₂, IMPROVED ECONOMY AND EXTRA STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Chrysler UK Ltd is pleased to announce that the new 2010 Dodge Journey models are now on sale in the UK.

This popular 'stand out from the crowd' seven-seat vehicle has a huge amount of interior space, high levels of equipment as standard and offers customers exceptional value for money.

Available in three derivatives, the SE, SXT and R/T, the front-wheel drive Dodge Journey comes with a manual or Getrag dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a choice of two engines; a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine and a 2.4-litre petrol engine.

The entry-level 2.4-litre petrol SE, is available from £16,990 and offers great family-friendly features including Tilt 'n Slide™ flexible seating system, spacious under-floor storage bins and under-seat storage areas and three-zone climate control. The model also comes with 16-inch steel wheels, a tilt and telescopic steering column, tyre pressure monitoring, power-folding and heated door mirrors, electric windows and six-disc CD with MP3 compatible sound system all as standard. New equipment on SE models this year includes second-row integrated child booster seats, odour and stain repel cloth and cruise control.

Safety is top of mind for customers and the Dodge Journey delivers with standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), three-row side-curtain air bags, advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags, all speed traction control, child seat anchor system, Brake Assist and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

The already highly specced SXT is priced from £19,990. In addition to the SE specification and costing only £1,000 more, SXT models feature six way power driver seat, lumbar adjustment, fog lamps and 17 inch alloy wheels. The 2010 Journey SXT gets even more kit as standard; second-row integrated child booster seats, roof rails and crossbars, sunscreen glass, leather steering wheel and gear shifter and steering wheel audio controls.

The top-of-the range R/T costs £21,990 and features all the SXT equipment plus leather-trimmed seats and 19 inch alloy wheels. New equipment for 2010 includes uconnect® phone with voice recognition, a hands-free communication system using Bluetooth technology, iPod® connectivity, roof crossbars and second-row integrated child booster seats.

The Dodge Journey has improved its CO₂ emissions and therefore dropped a tax band. The 2.0-litre diesel manual has decreased its emissions by five grams per kilometre, moving from tax band H to G, saving £25 of vehicle excise duty, and the 2.0-litre diesel automatic model decreased by 10 grams per kilometre, saving £40 of vehicle excise duty and moving from Band J to I. The frugal 2.0-litre diesel engine will return up to 44.8 mpg on a combined cycle.

Federico Goretti, Managing Director at Chrysler UK Ltd, said: "The Dodge Journey is the perfect 'right-sized' vehicle for families who don't want the look of a traditional people carrier but need the functionality and utility of a seven seat MPV, the versatility of a larger sport-utility vehicle with the fuel efficiency of a family saloon.

"The Journey further strengthens its customer appeal by offering high levels of standard equipment at a very competitive price, great fuel economy and an image that makes it stand out from its competitors in the mid-sized MPV market."