Chrysler pondering whether Sebring/Avenger replacements should go rear-wheel drive?
Chrysler 200C concept car - click above for high-res image gallery
Setting the Challenger and 300 aside, what Chrysler needs now most of all is a C/D segment car that moves more metal than the pitiful performance of its current offerings. According to Automotive News, Chrysler shifted just 133,626 of its Sebring and Dodge Avenger platform-mates, a number that pales in comparison to class leaders like the Toyota Camry (436,617) and Honda Accord (372,789). The constant clamor to put the 200C concept into production in some form has got Chrysler looking for ways to make that car a reality, but finding a platform that will play on Main Street is a thorny little chestnut.
Replacing the universally jeered Sebring and Dodge Avenger (and their Mitsubishi platform) by going rear-wheel drive is a possibility. The 200C show car sat on a shortened version of the LX platform, in theory inviting both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. Fiat's D-Evo platform, debuting with the replacement for Alfa Romeo's 159, is another possibility, but there are concerns it may not be flexible enough to grow to the size the 200C needs. Fiat's bid for General Motors' Opel unit brought with it speculation that the 200C could snag the Epsilon platform, but that's since fallen off the radar.
While a rear-drive Chrysler midsizer sporting the sharp exterior and interior design of the 200C and priced like a Fusion would be something distinctive, the sales case for such a departure from the class-norm of FWD remains yet to be convincingly argued. Tuned properly, such a vehicle could give much higher-zoot iron a run for its money, and performance enthusiasts likely would embrace such a model; though they may not actually buy one. Chrysler needs to close sales, not set internet chatrooms abuzz, so regardless of how it comes to market, the 200C must be more fully realized than the current Chrysler midsizers.
Gallery: Chrysler 200C Concept
[Source: Automotive News (subs req)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Avinash machado 11:03AM (6/22/2009)
Anything they come up with, will be better than the current Sebring\Avenger.
Reply
Motor_Yakuza 1:55PM (6/22/2009)
Agree
FSM 11:07AM (6/22/2009)
One of the best looking cars I saw at the Detroit Auto Show this year.
Reply
Dondonel 11:25AM (6/22/2009)
The main reason why manufacturers don't go RWD is the cost of developing a new RWD platform compared with the FWD platforms they already have available. Chrysler is not in this position, they do have a good and cheap RWD platform. They should just shorten the 300C platform and install it in a mid size sedan with C200 styling.
dwightB 11:57AM (6/22/2009)
@ Dondonel
IMHO, had Chrysler been thinking on their toes (which, recent events show that was NOT the case) they would have just used some version of the Mercedes C Class drivetrain for the next Avenger / Sebring and had this program rolling YEARS ago. Using existing parts is ALWAYS cheaper and more efficient than coming up with your own. Basically how they used parts from the older Mercedes E-Class to cut the development cost of the 300C.
tuxchown 12:39PM (6/22/2009)
I agree. This car is even more beautiful in person. I think it should do well for Chrysler when the dust settles and I wish Chrysler the best. As far as whether or not it goes rear wheel drive depends upon how high upmarket they are aiming. Most Americans don't care about rear wheel drive.
Tool 1:41PM (6/22/2009)
I've said, repeatedly, that Chrysler should have been liquidated instead of saved.
However, looking at this concept again, it is one tasty vehicle. If Chrysler was smart enough (which is debatable) to do this car exactly like the 200C concept, they would have a huge winner.
In regard to RWD vs FWD . . . it would certainly differentiate Chrysler to go RWD since all of the segment is FWD. But considering that Chrysler's typical buyers are Midwesterners in the snowbelt, they might be reluctant to purchase a RWD vehicle. And yes, I know that there are excellent traction control systems out there, but consumers have been driving FWD for 30+ years now. Hard for some to make the change.
Judy Zik 1:57PM (6/22/2009)
I have to agree. In a perfect world we could have this with a newly developed modern and efficient RWD platform with AWD optional. The problem is this car can't wait that long. For now it needs to be dropped onto something that have available and sent out the door. A shortened version of the LX might do the job. This design looks great now but it isn't going to still look fresh if we have to wait 5 years to drive it while they build a new platform from scratch.
TruthKid 8:18PM (6/22/2009)
In case you guys didn't know, this is based on a shortened LX platform so this car is completely feasible. Why you'd want an aggressive Chrysler blows my mind, no Chrysler's have aggressive styling, they are the near luxery brand, while Dodge would benefit from aggressive styling as it would blend in better with their lineup. I have a RWD 300 and I live up in the Syracuse area, no problems driving the car in the snow. The problem isn't FWD or RWD in the snow, the problem is people who don't know how to drive multiple wheelbases in the snow. I don't know how many 4WD or AWD vehicles I've seen in ditches during the winter because people who get stationed in Fort Drum who've never seen snow or actually been taught what to do when losing control in hazardous conditions. A pair of decent snow tires and common sense on a RWD will do just as good as a FWD. The traction control in the 300s is outstanding, and the only time I've been able to make it fail is parking on ice (turn it off and you'll save yourself a lot of tire spin) or getting caught in a snowstorm in October before you change your wheels out for the season.
Backyard Gnome 11:10AM (6/22/2009)
Looks like a fleet-car darling already...
Chrysler needs to be far more aggressive with their exterior styling if they want to attract new consumers.
Reply
Gary 11:14AM (6/22/2009)
And what's wrong with this?
Ligor 11:28AM (6/22/2009)
it looks way better than anything in the whole Toyota or Lexus line and for that matter anythign out of HOnda/Acura line as well.
But this needed to go into roduction last year not in 5 years.
i'd say make it RWD and have AWD as a very cheap option
a 4 cylinder RWD, v6 RWD and then have AWD variants
maybe for the mainstream 4 cylinder they can have an AWD system for only $400.00 - something that has 30% of the power going to the fronts all the time without much fancy electrnics (a 30:70 split all the time)
and then you can have a second AWD option that can be as competitive as the rest of te market
I mean subary's new Legacy has AWD standard and comes at $20k, so I see no reason why Chrystler couldn't keep the prce at $19.7k for RWD, and $20.2k for AWD
now add to this the phoenix V6 with 300+HP and AWD and you have a legit contender
i see this car as chrystler can be priced from $20 - $38k, the 38k better be full leather interior (even on plastic trims that cover doors and such they should add leather or somthing like that fake leather stuff BWM has)
Frank 11:38AM (6/22/2009)
Gnome,
Apprarently the Europeans disagree with you. When the 200C was shown at the Geneva auto show it was well received. And this was before FIAT bought in to Chrysler.
Backyard Gnome 11:44AM (6/22/2009)
I might be wrong about people wanting it, but my personal opinion is that it should be far more aggressive in styling if they want to impress me. Not saying it isn't good, just saying its not great.
simonlu 12:19PM (6/22/2009)
IMO, with a front and rear fascia change, the above could qualify for a current model Mercedes. I don't know about you, but that is a pretty good looking car.
Rob 12:55PM (6/22/2009)
@ Backdoor Gnome: Not everyone wants a super aggressive looking car, because not everyone suffers from low self esteem and penile inadequacy.
Bob-omb 11:15AM (6/22/2009)
Debating FWD and RWD isn't the issue. The problem is the Sebring/Avenger are the worst mid-sized cars on the market in practically every way.
At least there's nowhere to go but up.
Reply
Gary 11:15AM (6/22/2009)
And if *Mitsubishi* creates a crappy car platform, they aren't chastised for it?
Reply
Alex 11:20AM (6/22/2009)
Everyone knows the only thing Mitsubishi consistently gets right is the Evo.
Tourian 11:23AM (6/22/2009)
Because Chrylser modified the Mitsubishi platofrm so much they call it something else all their own(JS not GS). And the rest of the car is not that great. The cars Mitsu builds on its version fo the platform are the Lancer and the Outlander (and the Evo) and those cars have good ratings.