Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Report: Chrysler pushing 300 launch up to November]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/report-chrysler-pushing-300-launch-up-to-november/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/report-chrysler-pushing-300-launch-up-to-november/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/report-chrysler-pushing-300-launch-up-to-november/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It doesn't take a seasoned auto analyst to look at Chrysler's current product portfolio and see a rag-tag unit of long-in-the-tooth cars, trucks and crossovers. And other than the introduction of an all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee in the next few months and the next Dodge Durango arriving later in the year, Chrysler's product portfolio appears to be pretty bleak in the near term.

To bridge the gap between the upcoming Fiat-inspired Chrysler products, the folks in Auburn Hills are working with their overlords in Turin, Italy to whip up some serious overhauls to key products over the next 12-18 months. Among the vehicles scheduled for an extreme makeover is the Chrysler 300, which has been left to fend for itself almost completely unmolested by engineers or designers since its introduction in late 2004. A report by the Wall Street Journal claims that the overhaul of the Chrysler flagship sedan has been bumped up to November to help slap a tourniquet on Chrysler's traumatized sales numbers.

The next 300 will reportedly receive serious cosmetic upgrades to the front and rear fascia in addition to a far more luxurious and attractive interior. The rear-drive sedan will also receive Chrysler's new Pentastar V6, which promises 280 or more horsepower and fuel savings of up to 20 percent versus the current vehicle.

As much as we loved the 300 when it first hit the scene, the aging sedan has become a symbol of just how much Chrysler has to improve to again become relevant. Here's hoping November brings a vastly improved 300 (along with an equally impressive Dodge Charger) to give Team Pentastar a much-needed shot in the arm.


Gallery: Future Chrysler models spotted in video


[Source: Wall St. Journal - Sub. Req.]

Report: Chrysler pushing 300 launch up to November originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chrysler 3002011Chrysler300chryslerchrysler 300Chrysler300sergio marchionneSergioMarchionneMon, 29 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19417649/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/29/report-chrysler-pushing-300-launch-up-to-november/19417649/article-detail.xml 19417649 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/2011-chrysler-300_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/2011-chrysler-300.jpg <![CDATA[Ciao! Fiat to build Chryslers in Italy?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/ciao-fiat-to-build-chryslers-in-italy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/ciao-fiat-to-build-chryslers-in-italy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/ciao-fiat-to-build-chryslers-in-italy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Fiat is hard at work trying to come up with the best available use of its newly acquired Chrysler arm. Part of that plan may be to sell more Chrysler products in Europe, and Fiat just so happens to have an available factory to build them in. Automotive News is reporting that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne says the company would use its freshly purchased Carrozzeria Bertone plant near Turin, Italy. Fiat purchased the facility in July, just a few weeks after Chrysler exited chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Marchionne declined to discuss which vehicles would be built at the factory, but those following the Italian automaker have plenty of reasonable guesses. AN quotes sources who say the facility could open as soon as late 2011, and it could build the next generation Chrysler 300. The upcoming new 300 will reportedly begin production in the US in early 2011, and the 300's RWD platform is rumored to be used in future Alfa and/or Lancia models. The sources also claim Jeep models could be built in other Fiat facilities by using complete knock down kits shipped from here in the US.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd | Photo: DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images]

Ciao! Fiat to build Chryslers in Italy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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]

Next-gen Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger to beat CAFE standards, get 8-speed auto originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chrysler 3002011 dodge charger2011Chrysler3002011DodgeChargerCAFEchrysler 300Chrysler300dodge challengerdodge chargerDodgeChallengerDodgeChargerfuel efficiencyFuelEfficiencyphoenix enginesPhoenixEnginesTue, 02 Dec 2008 11:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1387986/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/02/next-gen-chrysler-300-dodge-charger-to-beat-cafe-standards-get/1387986/article-detail.xml 1387986 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/gall_03_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/gall_03_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler 300/Charger facelift due in 2011, RWD sticking around]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/14/chrysler-300-charger-facelift-due-in-2011-rwd-sticking-around/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/14/chrysler-300-charger-facelift-due-in-2011-rwd-sticking-around/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/14/chrysler-300-charger-facelift-due-in-2011-rwd-sticking-around/#commentsFiled under: , ,



While new fuel economy regs have put the General's rear-wheel-drive offerings into a holding pattern (we think), Chrysler will soldier on with its RWD LX platform into the next decade. According to The Car Connection, Chrysler plans to makeover the 300 and Charger in 2011, but the reason the Pentastar people are keeping it rear-wheel-drive isn't to sate the public's lust for FR cars, rather there's no budget to develop a new front-wheel-drive platform.

TCC's insider says that updates to the HEMI might be underway and that the new styling direction of the 300 will maintain the sedan's gangsta cues, but the low roofline will probably be nixed in favor of a larger greenhouse.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Chrysler 300/Charger facelift due in 2011, RWD sticking around originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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