Revealed! 2011 Jeep Phoenix Based On Fiat Panda 4x4!
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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!
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Comments
I am just not into the look of the vehicle. Jeep is getting so far away from that unique durable 4x4 and starting to look just like everyone else. The Wrangler which I have owned one of for 20 years is getting to be all plastic. And the Cherokee Classic which was a great all around family car was discontinued. No wonder they are going bankrupt!
great car!!!!!!!!!
The panda cross does not have a gasoline engine..its a Turbo diesel which is why it gets such good mileage and has the power to get up steep angles.
Oh and another thing 54bhp is the power rating for the 1.1 litre petrol which is not available in the Panda Cross the 1.3 diesel is 73bhp
gbrox: Yes, thinly disguised as it's Photoshopped! :)
Camping Dan: Fiat doesn't have any Jeep-worthy chassis platform that is even in the league of the Patriot/Compass, let alone any of the heavier duty Jeeps. If Chrysler does survive and Fiat does base the backbone of its offerings, we can all look forward to a whole lot of teeny tiny cars! :)
jaybell: I've driven a 2008 Fiat Panda 2WD for several months in Europe and I love it! I can hardly wait to buy one on this side of the pond! :)
Steveo: I specifically plunked the 1.2 l engine in there as I don't see the US market adopting a tiny turbodiesel in significant numbers. Don't denigrate that little gas engine though, as I know from experience it has more than enough grunt! :)
The Jeeps sold in Australia have included some real lemon models, I will be interested to see the Fiat marriage.
nice car, great and enjoy to drive.thanks for article.
earnestshub: There was nothing wrong with the Australian Jeep Cherokees of the early 2000s! The engine fires were an additional bonus feature provided by Chrysler to the Ozzies so that they could barbie their shrimps anywhere they went! :)
prasetio30: Yes, the Panda is a great car, and one that I'd love to own on this side of the pond!
Great concept! Don't think of it as a replacement for the Wrangler. Think of it as a new choice for people who want to throw a canoe or kayak on top of a vehicle with ground clearance and good gas mileage. Everyone raves about the Honda Fit. Try driving that ground hugger down a rutted gravel road to a trail head. The Fit drags in the icy ruts we get in the Midwest. I don't need a rough, tough Jeep. Repeat: good gas mileage and ground clearance is missing in action here in the U.S. Need a better idea? Build it at the Fenton, MO assembly plant. (No, I don't know anyone who works there. I just know Fenton is a state-of-the art plant that is being shut down.) If the price is as low as I've seen on the net and it is made in the USA, this little gem will sell like hotcakes. Bring it on - the sooner the better! Where can I sign up for one?
Sorry, Canoe Camper. You'll have to be the second person to get a Jeep Phoenix since Chrysler owes me the first one for inventing it! :) I love the Panda as I've driven it all over Europe and I'm salivating at the possibility of owning a Phoenix. Come on Chrysler! Get this car into the dealerships. And BTW, I certainly wouldn't mind a meagre $10 million royalty charge for using my creation! :)
nice car.
:)
This hub is pure genius! I like how you created this and car sites picked it up as if it's totally legit! Great work on the photos and the concept.
Thanks, Thadrok! When I was composing it I had no idea that it was going to become globally acknowledged as "the next small Jeep", but it does speak volumes that such a vehicle is required in North America. And I would most certainly love to collect some Chrysler-Fiat Royalties for "inventing" it! :)
what a nice car!
Yup! I hope they market it and pay me! :)
its so cute!! jeeps=love?
Let's hope that Sergio is reading this and decides to market it here soon! :)
im sorry but wat do any of u c in this sorry excuse 4 a jeep it looks like a smart car suv type thing from the bac and from the dirrect front it isnt 2 bad but the hood and front fender lines should be more straight and flat distinguishing that it is in fact a jeep by looks and not just badging and the distinct grill i also think fiat should die as a present company but i do like their older small compacts which are pretty cool i guess but fiat should be booted and the designers of this particular jeep deserve 2 b smacked and asked wat they were thinking
Well, first of all I am the designer so you can ask me what I was thinking. Then you should wake up and smell the Italian espresso: Fiat runs Chrysler now, so if you think that in this day and age with gasoline prices skyrocketing again, Jeep is going to come out with its own Hummer H1 you are the one who "deserve 2 b smacked". :)
Nice reply Hal! This is a very cool design and well done for doing it! Must have taken you a while to complete it! Well done!
Looks sooooo real! Excellent work with Photoshop BTW!
LOL - Great hub and interesting comments. I got all sorts of shit for suggesting that American cars are nowhere near as fuel efficient as European cars. Gotta have the 9 liter muscle car apparently. "Till gas hits 5 bucks a gallon.
Bristol Boy: Thanks! I took basic photos of the Panda Cross and Jeep-ized them. It was about an hour's work and it was fun!
BuzzWorthy: Thank you very much. I appreciate the props.
Mark Knowles: Thanks! I agree that it seems that many North Americans are still playing deaf, dumb, and blind when it comes to the future of fuel prices and the necessity for much smaller cars... something that Europeans learned many years ago!
Had me going for a few minutes. Good stuff. I think more Americans will accept diesels than the car companies think.
Mark
I've driven thousands of miles in Europe in their diesels and absolutely love them. I also owned a Jetta TurboDiesel in Canada and ADORED IT!
I am salivating for a proper Euro diesel, but beside the few offerings by Mercedes and VW, there really doesn't seem to be any out there on the North American market! In my area diesel is selling for about 65% the price of regular unleaded gasoline, and with the considerably higher MPG, I'd do anything to get one.
You have some photoshop skills that thing looks flawless.
Thanks! I appreciate the props! :)
Great gas mileage! Styling reminds me of the early model Kia Sportage..or maybe it's a Mini. I hope we continue to see small crossovers that will offer good gas mileage. If there from the US's floundering auto manufacturers that's all the better. I hope they don't leave design out of the process.
Let's just hope that Chrysler can keep the lights on in the dealerships who between now and some time in 2011 won't have anything to sell but air. :(
OK, so this isn't what we expect from Jeep, or is it? The first Jeep was a government bid project and Ford built more of them than Willys did during WWII. Next, Kaiser took over and then AMC with financing from Renault and we got one of the best Jeeps every, the Cherokee. Daimler Benz has given great drive train support.
Maybe Jeep is vegetable soup of the auto industry. It's healthy, it contains lots of good stuff from all over and with the proper recipe and assembly cooks into an American favorite. Bring on the new Jeep Whatever and while they're at it, give this vechicle have an accessory package for towing behind a motorhome!
Daimler has given great drivetrain support? Have you ever driven a Compass/Patriot with that GAWDAWFUL Jatco CVT rubber band tranny which isn't even good enough to be fitted onto a 50cc moped? :)
It's true. Jatco is used by Daimler Benz but it's really a Japanese product that was spun-off by Nissan and hooks up to the noisy, vibrating Mitsubishi motor. I wouldn't put ewither of these in a good soup just like I wouldn't put rabbit pellets in chocolate chip cookies. My Grand Cherokee Overland has a perfectly good Benz transmission. I have driven a Patriot with a CVT and it was "GAWDAWFUL." Get the right stuff put togeather the right way and Jeep will pull out of the Chrysler mess.
Yeah, it seems that Dr. Z. did a lot more damage to the brand that he did good. Let's pray that Sergio is wiser than his German counterpart!
The Panda shown in the pics is the standard Panda Cross 4x4 for the European market.
The pics show the car on the Alps, and pic#5 should be rotated 45º, as grass doesn't grow sideways (LOL)
Someone mentioned the engines: in Europe you have two options, a 1200cc_62hp petrol (gasoline) and a 1272cc_72hp TDi, both with 5-speed manual gearbox as standard.
My assumption is that an auto tranny will NEVER be available and the FIAT 6-speed will not be even considered (pity).
My other assumption is that the 1400cc_74hp engine will make a better qualifier for the US model.
As for the price, at $10,500 it's astealm it retails at 19,000 Euro in Europe !!!
That's $26,000 !!! :^(
You're right on the auto tranny. It's not likely to appear but it's a shame as it will really limit the American acceptance of the vehicle. Also the TDi is unlikely but that's a shame. As for the $26K cost, Sergio is no dummy and he knows that he can't charge that outlandish price on this side of the pond. :)
Good fun Hal! The important distinction here folks is that the same "necessity" and "drive" that enabled the successful outsouring, collaboration, unbiased support and cooporation in the manufacture/design/etc of the old GPVs (JEEP Wranglers now), is the similar to what is needed today to make the brand and niche survive. JEEP is a decidedly American tradition, but it's also every bit the "vegetable soup" described in this hub. The FJ40 and the Defender/Commando are suitible rivals/allies as well.
I'm all for Fiat (Italians) rebuilding a Phoenix (GREAT name, by the way) with all of the ingenuity, cooporation, sweat, engineering, etc from all corners of the world. Chrysler/Fiat is what is NOW and the old thoughts and ideas will no longer propel this or any other badge.
And I'm one American who is not blind to the seeming coup de fet duping most of us into believing that the entire market is driven by anything aside from oil consumption/usage. Clean Air Act my foot! I drove a 1973 Honda CVCC that got AMAZING mileage and was cleaner than the fresh-driven snow. We should be doing anything we can to reinvent these companies by doing exactly what Hal and others here are saying.... take the best of all involved and let the pure goodness emerge from the ashes. Carlos, Dr. Z, Iacocca, Lutz all of them have to understand by this pooint that the consumers of the world aren't QUITE as stupid as they thing we are. Are we??? ;-)
Serengeti
Thanks! I had a Honda CVCC as well and was completely in awe of it. That version of the Civic could be plunked into showrooms today and be a huge hit!
NO WAY DONT DO IT!!! BOOOOOOOOO Embarrasment to the JEEP heritage! along with the Compass that is already in production! OUCH
I'd rather take a beat up rusty Panda with a blown motor than even have a pee on a Compass! UUUUUGLY! :)
"This is not just a paper 4x4. It can tackle angles that would leave a Jeep Patriot gasping. "
The front overhang appears to be way to big for it to start up that incline. It would just burrow the nose into the hill.
That's why enterprising Italian four wheeler enthusiasts back up the hill. But then again, Italians do almost everything backwards! :)
Hey, before anyone accuses me of racism I AM ITALIAN! :P
You guys gotta know that this is a terrible pastiche of Badge engineering you have on that image there. Thats nothing more than the Panda 4x4 with Trek cladding and a photoshoped Jeep Logo and grill.
That being said, I think that, if you look closely at the specifications of this vehicle, it has WAY MORE OFF ROAD CRED than you might think or even dare to give it credit for! With the appropriate Body type and the appropirate styling, it has some serious market potential if slotted below the Wrangler, people. After all, Jeep has been about practicality and purpouseful performance above all else. Think about it a bit before you just go and bash the possibility.
I believe in the this US brand and I also believe in Fiat's abilities. Both these companies have made mistakes in the past but its time to pick up the pieces and move on. Thats whats best for all of us!
Guiseppe! NOOOOOOOOO! Don't say that! Are you accusing me of Photoshopping a Panda? OH MY GAWD!!!
Not that it's clear in the text of the Hub, but then again, as a good Paisano I know that Italians are usually too busy drinking vino and doing their mistresses to read much... :)
This thing is so stupid. Jeep has to get back to its roots. I am a big Jeep enthusiast and this thing is blasphemy to Jeepers everywhere
Yeah. Jeepers have a G*d-given right to rip up vast stretches of virgin wilderness with huge V-8 engines getting 8 mpg! After all, everyone knows that Jeepers are elite overlords who do not have to adhere to the ecological and economical rules the rest of us lowly citizens are stuck with. And they say that North America doesn't have a caste system! It does! Jeepers are at the top, and then everyone else is below them! :)
EGG MOBILE!
TIN CAN O' DEATH.
I wouldn't be caught dead driving that thing. Ask the guy with the 30" tires on his patriot if it would "choke" on that angle.
30" tires on a Patriot? Why not just turn a Kia Rio into a monster truck? :)
Hal:
Your abilities in Photoshop are extraordinary! I wish I had the knowledge and capabilites you posess in that program.
As for the vehicle.... I am a big fan of Jeeps, and I am looking into buying one right now. That said, however, I also can say that the "Jeepish" Panda 4X4 you created DOES actually have appeal. If they were sold in the US and marketed by Jeep/Chrysler, I think I would seriously consider the vehicle.
Especially in the "Willy's Green & Tan" color scheme. :)
PipeTobacco
Thanks, those are extraordinarly kind words. I appreciate it. :)
EWWWWWWWWW, what the h3ll is that? That is not a Jeep! I mean the front looks OK, like headlights, grill and what not, but from there to the back, its so ugly. It looks like a Smart Car and Old Jeep Liberty had sex and that ugly thing popped out. People like Jeep for its big masculine feel, this looks like a Jeep turned GAY!!!!!!!!!
No prob, dude, you go back to driving your Willys with the 33 inch wheels and 500 cu. in. Eldorado motor around town, and see ya at the gas pumps! :)
gbrox says:
7 months ago
It's amazing just how thinly disguised this Fiat Panda is. Hope it sells.