Chrysler dealers were still abuzz Wednesday over the 17 new products the auto maker showed off Tuesday in Orlando, Fla. Dealers can start placing orders for most of the new vehicles on Thursday. The following is a rundown of what consumers can expect to see over the next six months gleaned from interviews with about a half-dozen dealers who attended the meeting. Some of these details weren’t released publicly by the company Tuesday.
DODGE
The Dodge Caravan minivan will have a more “sporty” feel and look reducing its competition with the Chrysler Town & Country. CEO Ralph Gilles confirmed he plans to make a limited edition “Man Van” featuring an all black interior.
The Dodge Viper hot-rod will be back in 2012. The concept vehicle displayed at the meeting had been painted more than 25 times with a candy-apple red to give
it a sleek appeal. The vehicle is more upscale and has moved away from its race car image. Dealers said they were told the company’s new product committee took one look at the Viper and unanimously approved its production within five minutes.
The Dodge Dakota will also be replaced in the near future with a lifestyle sport truck.
CHRYSLER
The Chrysler Sebring – one of the auto maker’s most quality-criticized vehicles – has been totally remade. The vehicle will now be called the Chrysler 200 featuring 29 miles per gallon and a six-speed clutch that was co-developed by Chrysler and Fiat. The vehicle hits showrooms in 60 days. A convertible version that can seat four will also be available.
The revamped Town & Country minivan offers a more upscale feel with new shocks, suspension and a rounded rear-end and rear window.
It also has a seat and steering wheel heating system that automatically kicks on when the vehicle’s temperature falls below 40 degrees. The minivan will also sport Chrysler’s new wings logo.
The Chrysler 300c features a new exterior and suspension.
It has an eight-speed transmission that delivers 30 miles per gallon. The auto maker plans to take the vehicle to Europe where
it will be sold under the Lancia badge.
RAM
Ram brand CEO Fred Diaz hinted the auto maker is toying with the idea of developing a “Baby Ram” which would be a smaller pickup truck that would get 30 miles per gallon and seat four people.
A limited-edition luxury pickup, the “Longhorn,” will make its public debut at the Texas State Fair in two weeks. The pickup features such perks as a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Longhorn logo badge fastened to the floor mat can be popped out and made into a belt buckle.
The “Ram Box” – a storage area integrated on the back of bed of Chrysler’s pickup trucks – will be extended to the auto maker’s heavy duty trucks making the feature available on 80% of Chrysler’s truck volume by September 2011.
Jeep
The Jeep Wrangler’s Sahara model will feature a hard-top that can match the color of the vehicle’s body. The interior has been changed to allow more flexible storage areas and heated seats. The Wrangler will also be the “Hero” vehicle in the Call of Duty: Black Ops video game due out next month. To celebrate, Jeep will produce a limited-edition Call of Duty Jeep. CEO Mike Manley – without comment – rolled out a concept Jeep –pickup truck hybrid that is all Jeep in the front. He didn’t say if Chrysler is considering building
it.
The Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot will be replaced with one vehicle that will serve both markets. There were no details on when this will happen.
FIAT
The new Fiat 500, due out in January, will offer the “Sport” and “Lounge” models both offering leather seats and Bose radio. Consumers will have 14 exteriors and 11 interior colors to choose from allowing more personalization. The North America version makes
it public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year.
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