autoevolution
 

Fiat Freemont Replacement Rendering Combines Toro Truck and Jeep Compass

Why do we keep mentioning the Fiat Toro? Surely, a truck from Brazil has no influence over the European or American markets. Except the 2017 Jeep Compass was first shown in September in Brazil, not at the LA Auto Show.
Fiat Freemont Replacement Rendering Combines Toro Truck and Jeep Compass 3 photos
Photo: Theophilus Chin
Fiat Freemont Replacement Rendering Combines Toro Truck and Jeep CompassFiat Freemont Replacement Rendering Combines Toro Truck and Jeep Compass
Both the Toro and the Compass share a platform. And there's no denying the SUV segment is on fire right now. Europe shares its unhealthy obsession with America, but despite having access to the Jeeps, Fiat's only 4x4 is the little 500X.

Previously, Sergio Marchionne's answer to the SUV problem was to put Fiat badges on the Dodge Journey and sell it with a diesel engine. But that's not going to work anymore.

The Journey is old, having been in production since 2008. What's more, people want the rugged go-anywhere attitude, which something based on a minivan lacks.

The simplest thing to do would be to badge-engineer the Compass, a Fiat version of which would look just like these renderings by Theophilus Chin.

To say that we like what we see would be understated. The front end has those squinting lights placed right next to the hood line. It makes the Fiat Freemont replacement appear like it's looking down on everybody.

But it kind of feels like Jeep wants its customers to feel sorry for buying a compact 4x4 instead of the Cherokee. The proportions are wonky at the back, too narrow and tall.

Is design not important? Well, Jaguar's sexy F-Type just won woman's car of the year. But even before that, it outsold the XE and XF sedans combined.

Cars by Fiat-Chrysler are among the most fun to render into something new. You can make a coupe out of the 124 Spider or a 2-door out of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. But the companies run by Marchionne are among the least committed to reliability and customer care. I wouldn't buy the Freemont if all the seats were occupied by the Swedish volleyball team because it would break down and I couldn't get them to practice.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories