In case you didn’t know, the Dodge Journey is sold in several European markets as the Fiat Freemont and to help boost already strong sales of the Freemont, Fiat used the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show to introduce a new high end trimline – the Black Code.
While it is hard to tell from the image provided by Fiat, the Freemont Black Code sports a unique gloss black grille with black filler, black headlight bezels, a black lower front fascia, gloss black 19” wheels, gloss black exterior mirrors, black B and C pillars and black trim along the bottoms of the sides and rear of the vehicle. On the insider, the Freemont Black Code wears heated plush black leather seats with contrasting white stitching and power adjustment on the driver’s side, silver trim on the dash, door panels and center console, three zone climate control, keyless entry, push button start, navigation, an 8.4” infotainment screen and a premium sound system with six midrange speakers and one subwoofer.
Like other Fiat Freemont models, the Black Code is available with a standard 2.0L diesel engine that produces 170 horsepower or an option 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 280 horsepower. Buyers who pick the diesel engine can pick from a 6-speed manual transmission with front wheel drive or a 6-speed automatic transmission with all wheel drive while the Pentastar comes standard with all wheel drive and the automatic transmission.
Unfortunately for American buyers, the Black Code isnt like to pop up as an option on the Dodge Journey anytime soon and that is a cryin’ shame as this package looks great – particularly on vehicles that arent black. However, the exterior components (except for the Fiat badging and the diesel engine) are already very similar to what is offered on the Journey SXT Blacktop package except for the Journey Blacktop, the leather seats are an optional upgrade whereas the Black Code comes standard with the heated leather seats.
European buyers can expect to begin seeing Fiat Freemont Black Code models in their local dealerships in the first quarter of 2014. When it arrives, the Black Code should help the Freemont continue to be the most popular choice in the segment among Italian buyers.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
