Next-gen Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger to beat CAFE standards, get 8-speed auto
It's pretty obvious at this point that Cerberus doesn't want to keep Chrysler, and turbulent economic realities have scuttled what few available prospects there would have been for new ownership. Some have openly wondered whether team Pentastar is even working on new products at all. Product development VP Frank Klegon insists that new Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models are on their way, and he points to the next 300/Charger as proof.
Klegon told Automotive News at the LA Auto Show that the 2011 redesign of these two large, rear-wheel-drive sedans will beat projected 2011 CAFE standards. That feat will be accomplished with improvements to aerodynamics, axle ratios and upgraded engines. Klegon mentioned that the upcoming Phoenix engines, the development of which has not been cancelled, would motivate the Charger and 300. The new Phoenix family of V6 engines will have variable valve timing, cylinder deactivation and direct injection among its many efficiency increasing technologies. Automotive News also mentioned that Chrysler may employ an eight-speed automatic transmission to further improve performance and fuel economy. We don't know of any Chrysler transmission projects that are this ambitious, and Daimler currently utilizes only seven cogs in its Mercedes lineup, but suppliers like Aisin and ZF already have 8 speeds on the market.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John 11:42AM (12/02/2008)
And they are really good looking cars on top of these new "claims" of vastly improved fuel economy...
I am getting more and more excited about these cars...
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Torrent 11:41AM (12/02/2008)
good move.
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MemphisNET 11:42AM (12/02/2008)
I really wish them well. I love my Magnum R/T and can't wait for the LX replacements.
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300Kid 12:35PM (12/02/2008)
Me too, I'll be due for a new car when the LX replacements come out and I'm really anxious to see them. Love my current 300 though :)
Red 11:46AM (12/02/2008)
This is all well and good, and I'm certainly not knocking them, but I'm interested in what they do with the rest of the lineup, particularly the designs. I think I read they were moving to a more "organic" look or something like that? It has me curious what an "organic" 300C will look like.
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MemphisNET 11:48AM (12/02/2008)
Hopefully it looks like a 1st gen neon, the Chrysler Akino concept, and maybe a '57 c300 / '69 Dodge Charger
nickinacan 11:49AM (12/02/2008)
Maybe something similar to the Nassau concept? That was actually a pretty good looking vehicle.
TJ 12:06PM (12/02/2008)
I would like to see:
Firepower! sedan
Chronos (looking now at images, the haunches from the Chronos were clearly present on the Imperial...and the Firepower to a certain extent)
1991 Chrysler 300 concept
2000 300 Hemi C
Man. The production LX really did suck compared to the concept predecessors.
FThorn 11:52AM (12/02/2008)
I'd like to think that I helped in submitting this story, as found at Allpar.com forums. My first email to Autoblog. Keep up the good work, guys. Love the podcasts.
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Sea Urchin 11:50AM (12/02/2008)
#1 So what will be the MPG on this car?
#2 Also it looks old already, they should have made more changes to the outside of the car. Why not do it now instead of later once once they will realize that sales are too weak, ala Sebring, Caliber and others.
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Jj 11:57AM (12/02/2008)
The picture is of the current car, not the redesigned model that is still 2 years out.
Epyx 1:30PM (12/02/2008)
You have seen the new version? Awesome, please give us a link! Dumb ass.
Trev 11:53AM (12/02/2008)
Maybe if they sold the CRD diesel version here (they're sold all over the UK) it'd beat the CAFE standards TODAY
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Trev 11:57AM (12/02/2008)
bad form to reply ... but I should've pulled the info out first
"The state-of-the-art 3.0 CRD engine smoothly delivers 215 bhp and 376 lb/ft of torque and features unique low-weight aluminium construction."
"Combined Cycle 34.9 (8.1) mpg (L/100 km)
Extra Urban Cycle 42.8 (6.6) mpg (L/100 km)
Urban Cycle 26.2 (10.8) mpg (L/100 km)"
(remember those are Imp Gallons, not US Gallons)
http://www.chrysler.co.uk/300c/models.html
Matt 11:56AM (12/02/2008)
I can't remember now, but what, if any, mid-cycle design refreshes were done to the 300? I know the SRT8 came later, as well as the interior updates with myGIG and etc, but is the exterior sheet metal exactly the same as when the vehicle debuted?
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TJ 12:16PM (12/02/2008)
Extremely minor tweaks to the front bumper/headlights rear bumper/taillights. Actual sheetmetal did not receive any tweaks.
However, this vehicle was introduced in 2005. meaning, it is now only ~4 years into production as the '09's have just started rolling off the lines.
It would be borderline retarded to expect major sheetmetal changes within the first 3 years of production, and overall it is a six year production run with improvements and changes made every year. Not bad.
Matt 12:28PM (12/02/2008)
Huh, yeah that makes sense. It just seems the current-gen 300 has been out far longer than it actually has. BTW lots of manufacturers tweak their designs prior to the 5 year mark; an extreme example being Subaru with their Impreza/WRX/STI lineup. Seems like that one's changed every year since 2005.
300Kid 12:41PM (12/02/2008)
They did a very minor refresh which included 1 sheetmetal change - the trunk which now has a prominent spoiler crease. Also the tailight lenses (not the actual shape) got revised and the front clip that was previously only available on v-8 models is now available on v-6 Limited models. And some other minor things like a different radio receiver mounted on the back of the roof and different wheel designs.
Inside the center console got redesigned, the door panels were revised, MYgig became available, the dashboard now has a piece of "wood" or "aluminum" on the passenger side, guages are different and materials got a slight upgrade.
There's more I'm forgetting....
ken_aisin 11:59AM (12/02/2008)
Will Chrysler consider including the Rolls Royce Phantom replica body kit as an option?
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Frylock350 12:06PM (12/02/2008)
The important question for me is: Will it still feature a HEMI V8?
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