Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Fiat Freemont: driving impressions

The first Fiat "American" has officially arrived. Large, spacious, featuring a competitive price and a noticeable aftertaste still overseas, the Fremont enters the manufacturer's range as a proposal almost unprecedented in the history of Fiat. At a stroke, the Freemont replace three products at home, all no longer young: Croma, Multipla, Ulysse.

Halfway between an SUV and a large MPV, the Fremont is a direct subsidiary dell'americanissima Dodge Journey. But in spite of identical forms in all respects, the two products are distinguished by a number of technical and design differences that go far beyond aesthetics. Characterization about which we must say that is the result of a clear strategic choice.


The model could arrive on the market with a more differentiated design than the Dodge, but the leaders chose to accelerate the timing of the launch. Yeah, because Fremont is not simply a spot of what will happen tomorrow as part of the alliance Chrysler, but was created to sell substantial numbers and score.

Fiat aims to place an ambitious goal of 30,000 by the end of 2011 in Europe already. And the orders in Italy, in the first few weeks of marketing is already at an altitude of 6000. Fiat Freemont: our driving impressions Logos, wheel rims and little else. Outside the Freemont not change one iota from the Journey, then sharing with the "aunt of America" setting style, made of sturdy shapes, simple, linear.

Inside however the improvements are so many, and am pleased to touch it by hand, in the true sense of the word. Soft-touch materials, finishes and satin chrome in the right place, assembly that does not appear to have major limitations. And in terms of pure design, the instrument panel, steering wheel and center console are a leap forward from the old Journey absolutely awesome, let's face it-that-seemed a bit 'cut with an ax.

The rewards do not stop to the factor of perceived quality, but continue by analyzing the space and especially the versatility of the interior. Bella force sit back in a car by four meters and ninety tell you. And you are right. But it is not true that all cars with spacious let you take advantage of such simplicity of their interior volume.

The awards primarily go to the third row of seats. The two places at the bottom are not virtual, the Fremont is not a 5 +2, so to speak. Clear that things improve in the second row a lot, but behind is not to be bad. And the best part is when it comes to killing, the last two seats. Firstly, because the trunk (which is inevitably cramped seven-seat configuration) be substantial, then why change and configuration is really a snap, thanks to a simple hook fabric with a single gesture makes them recline to form a plan consistent with the floor.

As we said at the opening, the new techniques compared to the Journey are many. The main objective of the designers Fiat was to adapt the design of handling and comfort of the car to the tastes of European drivers. Known to be different from those of Americans. Two areas of intervention which focused on the engineers: steering and suspension, not to mention that even in terms of sound insulation aging compared to the starting point has been remarkable.

The steering has been made more "full" and "heavy" on the right side, in order to convey a better sense of stability. At the same time also, they have improved the qualities of accuracy and promptness when approaching curves. The technical scheme of the case is the same as the Journey, with McPherson front and multilink rear, but here are a number of innovations.

Work on suspension for the accuracy rose to a recalibration of the shock absorbers, a stiffening spring, a rather profound redesign of their own geometry to reduce the roll angle, the replacement of some components crucial to filter out the bumps in the cockpit - such as bushings, and the adoption of a stabilizer bar characterized by a diameter of 1 mm higher than the original.

Even in the hood things are the same. Both petrol and diesel Fiat Freemont are specific units, which replace the old drivers of the Dodge Journey. Of course, in our market, the Pentastar from 276 hp 3.6 V6, which will be matched only all-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission is not required to do large numbers.

The lion's share of the 2.0 MultiJet recite the 2, powerstep available in 140 or 170 hp. At launch, the proposal will Freemont own with two diesel engines, in combination with front-wheel drive only. Later versions will also launch a four-wheel drive diesel with 170 hp and the V6 petrol.

The four-wheel drive, in both cases will be available only with six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0 Multijet 2, of course with variable turbine geometry, also has a new oil pump with variable displacement. Compared with the first generation Multijet, change the fuel system, injectors faster and able to perform multiple injections close together.

In particular, the main fuel injection can be differentiated in several distinct stages and anticipate the future. The Multijet system 2 is capable of handling up to eight injections per cycle, with the new servo-balanced plug, offering greater speed, flexibility and precision in various stages of operation.

All this is also be cheaper and more reliable due to the greater simplicity of construction and 40% fewer components. One of the most interesting optimization strategies Multijet 2, is the system of Injection Rate Shaping (IRS), which includes the two main injections close together in succession so as to generate a continuous profile and modulated delivery of fuel in a combustion chamber.

In this way it improves the combustion process to the benefit of low noise and emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The Multijet 2, of course meets the Euro 5, is coupled to a standard six-speed manual transmission. Whether you use that 140 of 170 hp, maximum torque is 350 Nm at 1750 rpm is reached already.

For the less powerful units is the maximum available up to 2000 rpm, the other remains unchanged up to 2500 rpm. Considering the range of common usage, which typically does not exceed 3000 rpm for this type of propulsion, the couple is never less than 300 Nm powerstep With 140 hp, accelerates from 0 to 100 Freemont in 12.3 seconds, reaching 180 km / h top speed, while the 170 hp, performance go to 11 if 195 km / h respectively.

For both versions, the combined cycle consumption figures are equal to 6.4 l/100 km and 169 g / km of CO2. Nor must we forget that the Freemont MultiJet uses a DPF type of close-coupled (CCDPF) and a system of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) evolved, in which all sub-components are grouped into a single element of size reduced.

First of all Fremont car is very comfortable, well able to absorb the bumps of the road and keep passengers well-filtered by them, as every car has to approach tourism know-how. Second, it must be said that both of his powerstep 2.0 MultiJet 2 do not exhibit any kind of awkwardness in moving the large amount of the car, amounting to 1875 kg dry well.

Nothing sporty or exciting, mind you, but the engine still seems quite adequate to the task. While not exciting to the very low speed, four-cylinder pushes the already strong from 1500 rpm, and does so with the help of a turbine very progressive in his speech. From there until 4000, the brio provided by 350 Nm of torque is always there.

Only at an altitude of 4500 approaching, as is the physiological drive for oil, enamel is lost and the noise-always smaller than the turbo-fitted with the Journey begins to penetrate into the interior. The cars that we have tried, one with 140 hp, the other with 170, were both with the manual six-speed, maneuverable and pleasant enough drive and road use, but that does not earn special praise.

Different speech for the steering, which is significantly changed compared to the command "American", practically the first virtual Journey, but retains a footprint in every case (Dover) and travel-oriented search for lightness of use. Some concerns have stirred instead of the brakes, which seem to blame if mistreated a bit 'too much effort, especially in the first few inches of pedal drive.

In terms of driving dynamics finally, Freemont shows a physiological limit to the tendency to understeer and an equally natural inclination to roll. Given the high center of gravity, however, the lying side appears to be well content, in virtue of work done in terms of redefining the suspension geometry.

In Italy the range of the new Fiat Freemont presents the launch deliberately simple. Only two outfits, and Urban Freemont, each of which will be matched to both the diesel engines. The price starts from € 25,700 of the 2.0 MultiJet 140 bhp under construction Freemont, that during the launch phase will be offered at only € 24,900.

The Urban 140 hp, 170 hp as well as Fremont, will be proposed at € 27,200, while the top of the range rises to 170 hp Urban 28,700 €. In detail, the Freemont Trizonia offers standard automatic climate control, radio CD MP3, touch screen 4 "3, steering wheel audio controls, 17" wheels, fog lamps, cruise control, tire pressure sensor, keyless entry / go, and alarm.

The Urban construction adds Bluetooth, sensor lights, steering wheel and leather gear knob, rear parking sensors, roof rails, power-adjustable driver's seat (6 + 4-way-way back), electric folding mirrors, tinted rear glass, and electrochromic mirrors. -Price-like interior space and versatility-elasticity of the engine-not like better brakes

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