Chrysler 100 hatchback caught cruising around Santa Monica

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Chrysler

A coming hatchback said to be called the Chrysler 100 has been caught on video traipsing around Santa Monica by Autoblog reader Zach Dillman. Still wearing the scrapyard assemblage of Alfa Romeo Giulietta body panels as it was when spy photographers began capturing it last summer, its arrival date is still a question mark: some outlets have reported that it will go on sale this year, others have said it won't be in showrooms until 2016.

In fact, quite a few questions remain. Based on Fiat's Compact US Wide (CUSW) platform that supports the Dodge Dart and expected to be about the same size, the 100 is thought to be a small premium hatchback that will be priced above the Dart and below the Chrysler 200, with the idea that it can challenge the Ford Focus and Hyunda Elantra at the value end and the Buick Verano and Acura ILX at the premium end. Word is that there will be no sedan version.

It looks like there'll be plenty of gewgaws inside, with buttons for Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning and a button to toggle the traction control.

Some rumors say the 100 will only get four-cylinder engines, other rumors suggest it could get a V6 to justify the premium aspirations and the price bump over the Dart, and an "E85 Only!" sticker spotted in one of the mules last summer has other rumormongers wondering if it will get a ethanol-capable version of a new powerplant that isn't the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. It looks like there will be paddleshifters for getting through the gears, and front-wheel drive is the easy bet, all-wheel drive the long-shot shocker.

At the end of the video, a second mule gets spotted in Santa Monica, this being one of a legion of jacked-up Franken-Giulietta mules that's been seen around the country for a while now. It could be either a new Jeep Liberty mule or a replacement for the Compass/Patriot. See for yourself in the videos below.

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Chrysler 100 hatchback caught cruising around Santa Monica originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler trademarks 8 Mile, ProMaster

Zach Bowman — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat, Ram

Chrysler has been busy at the trademark office. Allpar.com reports the manufacturer has laid claim to a stack of new names, including Detroit Motor Works, Wrangler Freedom Edition, 8 Mile, Crossroad and Chrysler 100, as well as Ram ProMaster and the Ram ProMaster City. The automaker has made no secret of the fact that it wants to build a new small car, and that the machine will almost certainly ride under the Chrysler 100 banner. Dealers reportedly got a closer look at the vehicle at a recent gathering in Las Vegas.

Likewise, the two ProMaster names are little surprise, as Fiat intends to give the Ford Transit and Transit connect some competition with its own European-style Ducato vans. Now it looks as if those will come with ProMaster badges.

But, names like Detroit Motor Works, 8 Mile and Crossroad all leave the door open for some speculation. Allpar.com also reports Chrysler has laid claim to Active Air, which it speculates may be applied to the company's variable-length intake runners.

Chrysler trademarks 8 Mile, ProMaster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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