Revealed!
The 2011 Jeep Phoenix 4x4, a remarkable 1.3 litre, 5 door, four wheel
drive mini-Jeep that is going to take the North American market by
storm, while still getting almost 59 mpg!
Based on the Fiat Panda Cross 4x4, the Jeep Phoenix is simply
rebadged, but completely suited to North American offroad conditions. It
is also an exceptional city car that gets far higher mpg than any
hybrid on the market, including the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius.
And all that with a conventional gasoline engine with no hybrid
technology anywhere!
The new Jeep is very aptly named Phoenix as it is the type of vehicle
that will allow Jeep to arise magically from the ashes of the
devastated Chrysler. Just days away from what may be the last days of
Chrysler, it is important to note that there are virtually no scenarios
that allow for the Jeep brand to disappear from the face of the Earth.
For many years, Jeep has been the most powerful brand in the Chrysler
lineup and it is effectively inconceivable that Jeep will not continue
in one way or another even in the death throes of Chrysler: Perhaps as a
standalone brand, or maybe as a brand belonging to another major
automotive manufacturer
The Panda / Phoenix 4x4 is definitely the way of the future for Jeep.
It's a small, incredibly economical and thrifty car that can go
anywhere. Yes, its barely 1.3 litre engine would make it the smallest
displacement automobile currently sold in the USA with only the Smart
Car having a tinier engine, but the Panda / Phoenix delivers. It can
very comfortably cruise at highway speeds and the powerplant contains
enough grunt to take the little mini-Jeep up frighteningly steep
inclines.
With an innovative four wheel drive system which is engaged by
viscous coupling with two Electronic Locking Differentials that cut in
below 20 mph to brake wheels that find themselves without grip and
slipping and proceed to transfer torque to the other wheels, the Panda /
Phoenix 4x4 can handle anything the street or the dirt can throw at it.
Here are some specs for the Panda/Phoenix 4x4:
ESTIMATED NORTH AMERICAN PRICE • $10,500
SPECIFICATIONS & OUTPUT
- Body Style • Hatchback
- Doors • Number of • 5
- Seats • Number of • 5
- Engine Displacement (cc) & Cylinders • 1248 / 4
- Valves • Number of • 8
- Gears
- 1st • 3.909:1
2nd • 2.158:1
3rd • 1.345:1
4th • 0.974:1
5th • 0.744:1
Reverse • 3.818:1
Final drive ratio • 4.062:1
- 4x4 Specs
- Incidence angle • 24°
Exit angle • 42°
Slope angle • 24°
Climbable gradient • 50% - Type of Fuel • Unleaded
- Maximum Power (bhp @ rpm) • 54 / 5000
- Torque (lb / ft) • 65
- Engine Layout • Front
- Wheel Drive • Four Wheel
- Overall Length (mm) • 3538
- Overall Width (mm) • 1578
- Overall Height (mm) • 1540
- Front Seat Head Room (mm) • 940
- Front Seat Leg Room (mm) • 1010
- Rear Seat Head Room (mm) • 935
- Rear Seat Knee Room (mm) • 585
- Trunk Capacity Seats Up (litres) • 206
- Trunk Capacity Seats Down (litres) • 860
- Turning Radius (m) • 9.1
- Towing Capacity (kg) • 800
- Curb Weight (kg) • 840
PERFORMANCE
- 0 to 60 MPH (secs) • 15
- Top speed (MPH) • 93
EQUIPMENT AVAILABILITY & PRICING
EXTERIOR
SECURITY & SAFETY FEATURES
- Automatic Transmission • Option Not Available
- Central Locking System • Standard Equipment
- Power Assisted Steering • Standard Equipment
- Seat Belt Pre-Tensioners • Standard Equipment
- Driver Side Air Bag • Standard Equipment
- Passenger Side Air Bag • Standard Equipment
- Anti Lock (ABS) Brakes • Standard Equipment
- Vehicle Immobilizer • Standard Equipment
- Visible VIN • Standard Equipment
- Secure Spare Tire • Standard Equipment
- Etched Parts • Standard Equipment
- Window Etching • Standard Equipment
- Side Impact Safety Bars • Standard Equipment
- Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers • Standard Equipment
CONVENIENCE & COMFORT FEATURES
- Adjustable Steering Height • Standard Equipment
- Power Front Windows • Standard Equipment
SOUND, NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
- Theft Proof Radio • Standard Equipment
- CD With RDS • Standard Equipment
OPERATING COSTS
- City MPG • 39.2
- Highway MPG • 58.9
- Combined MPG • 49.6
- Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) • 7.7
- Carbon Dioxide Rating (g / km) • 135
- Estimated Average Insurance • $273.00
- Percentage Value Retained (3 Years / 36,000 mi) • 33.00%
- Estimated Average Monthly Lease Cost • $175.00
- Maintenance Factor • 24
- Estimated Maintenance Cost Over 3 Years • $680.00
- Maintenance Intervals • 9,000 mi
- Manufacturer's Warranty Term • 3 Year / 40,000 mi
Yes,
of course, there is no such thing as the 2011 Jeep Phoenix. Not yet
anyway. However, this Hub goes to show how there is no need for
extensive redesigning and reskinning of some of the best Fiat models.
They can go on sale right away, without having to be extensively
modified in any way other than to meet North American safety and
emissions regulations!
I've driven a Panda for thousands of miles in Europe and can assure
anyone that it is a spectacularly capable car, with ridiculous amounts
of room considering the overall size of the vehicle, and more than
powerful enough to shred any highway speed limit in North America. It is
nothing short of an amazing small car and when dressed up in Phoenix
4x4 garb it will make an astounding, proper, suitable, and extremely
welcome economy addition to the Jeep lineup.
I'd buy one as soon as they hit the showrooms. They may not be
Chrysler showrooms, but there will be some dealer network somewhere that
will carry this exceptional mini 4x4 onroad/offroad great city car!
http://hallicino.hubpages.com/hub/Revealed-2011-Jeep-Phoenix-Based-On-Fiat-Panda-4x4
