New Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 confirmed for 2010
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Dodge Charger
Ending speculation about what new products Chrysler will be rolling out in 2010 is none other than Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli. Now confirmed are redesigned full-size sedans in the form of a new Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 as well as a new Jeep. While none of these vehicles is likely to be particularly fuel efficient, the man behind the scenes at Chrysler also stressed that new fuel-saving models are on their way by means of the automaker's recent partnership with Nissan. We believe that the new vehicle will be a version of the Dodge Hornet concept that we've seen everywhere these last few years.
The redesigned 300 from Chrysler and the Charger from Dodge will be extremely important launches. We expect the square-jawed styling to be radically different since Ralph Gilles, who has promised more "organic" styling, is now head of design. Lastly, we're still a bit skeptical that Chrysler will be able to launch an electric car by 2010, we'd love to be proven wrong. A hybrid drivetrain for the Charger and 300, though, seems like a real possibility.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
David(Postal) 1:38PM (10/07/2008)
That is great news! I love these cars but the designs have grown tired on me after all these years.
Reply
Ed 1:46PM (10/07/2008)
Especially since they're essentially 90's era Mercedes-Benz E-classes.
TJ 1:58PM (10/07/2008)
Ed: WRONG. Thanks for playing though.
Berto 1:59PM (10/07/2008)
Definitely. The current 300 design has been around for too long now.
The Charger is missing something, it's just not very exciting.
Hopefully they will throw something good our way.
Manolo 2:03PM (10/07/2008)
and you'll grow even more tired after seeing all the police cruisers out there using the Dodge Charger...
Bengoshi-San 1:40PM (10/07/2008)
It's exactly these kinds of cars which Dodge and Chrysler need to avoid manufacturing.
The market is saturated with powerful, heavy cars that guzzle gas.
If Chrysler/Dodge wants to show the world that they are a thinking auto manufacturing company, then they will do some market research and begin production of smaller cars that are more fuel efficient and look towards the future.
Americans simply do not need these cars in any shape, way or form.
Reply
TJ 1:43PM (10/07/2008)
You are so wrong on so many levels... beginning with your incorrect premise that these will be 'powerful, heavy cars that guzzle gas'.
Check your badge hatred at the door, and learn to keep an open mind about product pipelines from ANY manufacturer.
Bengoshi-San 2:03PM (10/07/2008)
The Dodge Charger gets about 15mpg city and 22mpg highway.
The Chrysler 300 gets about 15mpg city and 18-22mpg on highway.
Are we living on the same planet? Because in my opinion those are not good fuel efficiency numbers. Note that the article itself even mentioned that these new continuations of these vehicles will probably not be any more fuel efficient.
Assuming I have badge hatred because I am using facts and experience behind my comments is ignorant. I actually really like the design and style of both vehicles. I have close friends who have purchased these vehicles. I have sat in and driven the Charger and was impressed with it. However, my original comments stand true considering their fuel efficiency and current market trends.
Research really isn't hard in today's world. Get your facts straight and then come back to this debate.
Berto 2:02PM (10/07/2008)
"Americans simply do not need these cars in any shape, way or form."
Don't tell me what I need you Average Consumer.
Bengoshi-San 2:14PM (10/07/2008)
It is for this particular reason why these companies need a bailout.
They cycle through this near-bankrupt status every so often.
Sooner or later, a company that has been making unwise decisions about its mass-produced products gets the boot.
Should they continue to make these cars? Sure, but should they mass produce them and have them as their flagship vehicles when they produce nothing smaller and more practical for the "average" consumer? Keep in mind that the average consumer is about 90% of the market.
If they want to make these, they should limit production, mark up the prices and sell them to whoever wants to buy them and has the money for the gas on these.
At the end of the day, it's simple business common sense that tells you something... you either get with the times or you walk out the door.
TJ 2:17PM (10/07/2008)
"Research really isn't hard in today's world. Get your facts straight and then come back to this debate."
Happy reading.
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/phoenix-engines.html
Red 2:19PM (10/07/2008)
@TJ,
I'm not entirely sure how you got "badge hatred" out of his response, but as you told Ed, "wrong...thanks for playing though".
Stop assuming just because someone has a differing opinion from a manufacturer, particularly domestic, he or she automatically "hates" them. *rolleyes*
TJ 2:20PM (10/07/2008)
Happy reading again:
http://www.allpar.com/cars/ly/index.html
ehisforadam 2:20PM (10/07/2008)
The Charger with the 3.5L V6 gets 19 City 27 HWY, I average around 23mpg with my mixed commute and other, mostly stop and go driving. That's not bad for a 4000lb car. In the coming years the Mopar V6s'll get better with the Phoenix.
TheRedMonkey 6:47PM (10/07/2008)
You really must be a fool. Claiming no one wants these cars and Chrysler is not selling cars people want. Apparently you did not notice the EV reveal. Go back to your bridge troll.
And you speak of common sense, its been stated that the next 300 will be available with their new EV drive train. Don't comment unless you know what you are talking about.
Bakk 2:52PM (10/07/2008)
@TJ:
I love how everything you post is from a site called allpar.com! I'm sure they arent 100% biased just like yourself, as there name explains. Why dont we wait until this new Chrysler engine and designs come out before we put the words Lexus and Chrysler even in the same state.
Toledo Guy 2:47PM (10/07/2008)
Chrysler needs to produce smaller cars? Perhaps, but what really needs to be done is they need to find a way to build more efficient large cars, which is what the American consumer wants. I'm not interested in a long drive in a Honda Fit. Chrysler need to invest in the technology to improve fuel efficiency. New engines, new transmissions, and find way to take weight out of the cars. That's what the consumer wants. Not to be forced into small cars that don't do the job they want.
Frylock350 2:56PM (10/07/2008)
@bengoshi-san,
There is most certainly a market for these vehicle. The 300 sells well even to this day. The Challenger has generated more buzz than any efficient car save the Volt. And you are also wrong about the fuel efficiency. A 2009 Charger R/T or 300C with a 5.7L 370hp HEMI V8 gets 16/25. 25mpg is not bad in a vehicle that's got best in class interior room and will run under 14 in the 1/4 mile. I'd own a Charger R/T if it could actually tow something.
Please dear god do NOT do organic styling on the Dodge. I want a long hood and a big front end. That's what makes a Dodge a Dodge.
TJ 3:46PM (10/07/2008)
@Bakk
Did you even look at the links I provided? Wow.
edzy 3:56PM (10/07/2008)
I thought it was strange that they squeezed some more Mpg out of the 5.7 then upped the HP as well.
The 5.7 is what they try to push on everyone, but now (from a mpg standpoint) it gets about the same as the two V6s. Its just a price issue.
Makes me wonder what kind of mpg they could have got if they would have kept the HP back where it was or put their new found mpg making ability to the smaller engines as well..