First Drive: 2009 Chrysler Sebring
For 2009, the Sebring sedan and convertible are mechanically unchanged, but receive numerous changes to their list of standard and optional features. Most notable is the deletion of all-wheel drive, previously available as an option on the Limited model; all Sebring models are now front-wheel drive only. The base vinyl convertible roof has also been deleted, with all convertibles using a cloth soft top, and two trim lines offering an optional retractable hardtop.Engine choices for the Sebring are a 2.4-litre four-cylinder with four-speed automatic, a flexible-fuel 2.7-litre V6 with four-speed automatic, and a 3.5-litre high-output V6 with six-speed automatic and manual shift mode. The 2.4-litre is standard on LX sedan and convertible; the 2.7-litre is standard on Touring sedan and convertible, and on Limited sedan; while the 3.5-litre is standard on the Limited convertible and optional on the Limited sedan.
Features on the LX sedan include 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, electroluminescent cluster with exterior temperature gauge, floor mats, power locks with keyless entry, heated mirrors, CD/MP3 stereo, cloth seats, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, cruise control, tilt and telescopic wheel, tire pressure monitor warning lamp, power windows, and variable intermittent wipers.
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First Look: 2011 Chrysler 300
The golden crest is gone, but the Chrysler name is still spelled out and surrounded by a pair of wings atop the front-grille frame. The eggcrate grille has been swapped for one composed of sculpted horizontal slats, as seen on the Chrysler 200 and Town & Country (and, unfortunately, the Hyundai Sonata). Projector-beam headlights have evolved to incorporate must-mean-it’s-luxury LEDs.
Although the windshield is more steeply raked, the upright proportions, boxy roofline, and purposeful stance clearly recall the car that nabbed our Golden Calipers back in 2005. But now it’s more refined and less cartoonish. Gone are the slab sides and sharp creases that hint at Gotham City chase scenes and staccato tommy-gun fire. Though the muscular wheel arches remain, softer lines and smoother arcs shape the hood and trunklid, while chrome-trimmed taillights serve as a dramatic flourish to this top-hat-to-spats reformulation. The LED daytime running lights are arranged in the shape of a “C” in Chrysler’s honor.
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New York 2010: Chrysler shows off new SafetyTec package for Town & Country
Although the Chrysler Group still has a rather large amount of floor space here at the 2010 New York Auto Show, the company didn’t have a lot to offer this year…at least not just-baked stuff for the assembled media. Instead of showing off a new 300 or maybe even a 200C hybrid, they merely gathered up a bunch of older concepts and special editions and dropped them off at Javits. Chrysler at least had the good sense not to have a press conference. To be fair, the Pentastar is struggling and we don’t mean to kick them when they’re down so we’ll focus on the positive instead.
One new vehicle we found amidst the recently unveiled specials was a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country with seemingly every one of Chrysler’s latest safety and security features. The press release, which you’ll find after the jump, says the package includes the company’s Rear Cross Path (RCP) and Blind-spot Monitoring systems (BSM) to help drivers in making “safe lane changes and backing out of high-traffic parking situations.” Both features are apparently firsts in this segment.
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Detroit Auto Show 2010: Fiat 500 BEV and Fiat 500 Abarth SS are in the house
The tiny Italians are coming! That’s right gentle readers, Fiat has dropped two little baby 500s off inside COBO Hall – and one of them’s electric. Let’s start with that one, the uninspiringly titled Fiat 500 BEV (background). The suffix stands for “Battery Electric Vehicle.” Let’s call it truth in advertising. The powertrain is carried over from the work Chrysler’s now defunct ENVIgroup had been working on for the past couple years. We can’t say too much more (hint, hint), but rumor has it that this sucker is fast. Also, no tail pipe(s).
Fast is good, however, and the Cinquecento that sets our hearts all a flutter is (obviously) the 500 Abarth SS. Or as they say in Italy, Abarth Esse Esse. That last part of the name is significant, as it indicates this particular 500 doesn’t have 133 horsepower, but rather 160 hp. The beauty part? After standing next to the Abarth for a few moments it becomes uncomfortably obvious that its much smaller than the Mini. Meaning… all sorts of wonderful things.
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2010 Detroit Auto Show:Dodge announces upgraded lineup for 2010 including Nitro Detonator
A few weeks ago, everyone, including us, was wondering when The Chrysler Group was going to have anything new to show us at next week’s Detroit Auto Show. You can look at the latest news about potential Ram models, Chrysler’s special editions and Dodge’s just-unveiled offerings either as wheezing gasps, or signs of pointing in the right direction. Since it’s a new year, we’re going to give Chrysler (and Fiat) the benefit of the doubt… for now.
Dodge says it “has taken ‘base model’ out of its vocabulary” by moving heaps of kit from the Options column to the Standard column on cars like the Journey, which for 2010 will automatically receive 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, sunscreen glass, body-color mirrors, floor mats and passenger grab handles. It has also added “Heat,” “Hero,” “Crew,” and “Uptown” packages to the Journey’s options list for those who like trim names that sound like they came from an SNL skit.
Categories: Auto Show, Chrysler, Detroit Auto Show, Dodge Tags: Chrysler, Detroit Auto Show, Dodge
Chrysler to bring electric Fiat 500, hatchback concept to 2010 Detroit Auto Show
Just because Chrysler won’t be holding a press conference at next month’s Detroit Auto Show doesn’t mean that America’s third-largest automaker is coming to the party empty-handed. Far from it, in fact, assuming there’s truth to the rumors that the Pentastar will be showing off both an electric version of the soon-to-be-US-bound Fiat 500 along with a Chrysler-ized version of the Lancia Delta hatchback.
While the Chrysler -branded concept is said to be nothing more than a standard-fare Delta emblazoned with Chrysler’s trademark chrome fascia, the electric Fiat 500 is a bit more interesting. We’ve heard that the automaker’s erstwhile ENVI group was disbanded and assimilated into the rest of the company’s product development workforce, so we’re curious to see the integration of a battery-powered drivetrain into the little urban runabout. Will it be a fully-functional vehicle or just a mock-up of what could potentially be possible?
Categories: Auto Show, Chrysler, Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Detroit Auto Show, Hatchback Tags: Chrysler, Detroit Auto Show
First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD comes strong with more models, configurations and classier duds
Back in 1993, truck drivers had no choice but to depend on domestic automakers for work-ready pickups, and only Ford and General Motors offered competitive haulers. That all changed a year later when Dodge set the pickup truck market on its leaf springs with the introduction of its all-new Dodge Ram. With a big-rig appearance thanks to an imposing front grille that looked ready to kick you in the Truck Nutz, Dodge’s truck sales tripled inside of 12 months and gave load-hauling manly men a real alternative to Ford and Chevy. But while Dodge hit a home run with the 1994 Ram, the Penta-horned brand didn’t have a heavy-duty option in its lineup until 2003, and an all-important diesel powerplant didn’t come online until 2004. In 2008, Dodge filled out its pickup lineup with heavy-duty 4500 and 5500 variants, finally giving Chrysler‘s trucking arm the range of choices necessary to get plucky with the competition from Detroit and Dearborn.
