Motor Authority - blog Category: Charger

Alfa Romeo is a brand remembered fondly in living memory, and in the case of the 8C, desired greatly in the present, in the United States. Fiat's reputation with Americans is a different story - and that's why CEO Sergio Marchionne is focusing his efforts on the Alfa Romeo nameplate.

So far only the Fiat 500 will be sold in the U.S. as a Fiat. Any other Euro-styled cars brought into the U.S. will wear Alfa Romeo badging, reports the Detroit Free Press. And some of those Alfas sold here could even be built here, with the potential for export to Europe as well.

One of the vehicles likely to see U.S. production includes the Alfa version of... Alfa Romeo is a brand remembered fondly in living memory, and in the case of the 8C, desired greatly in the present, in the United States. Fiat's reputation with Americans is a different story - and that's why CEO Sergio Marchionne is focusing his efforts on the Alfa Romeo nameplate. So far only the Fiat 500 will be sold in the U.S. as a Fiat. Any other Euro-styled cars brought into the U.S. will wear Alfa Romeo badging, reports the Detroit Free Press. And some of those Alfas sold here could even be built here, with the potential for export to Europe as well. One of the vehicles likely to see U.S. production includes the Alfa version of the next-gen 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, called the GTX. The sedans and hatches will likely be brought in from outside the U.S. to do battle with the established Germans in the luxury sector, though some will also come from within. Possible entries from Alfa include the 169, which might use the Chrysler LX platform, and a Fiat C-EVO platform-based Milano. Several Chrysler vehicles will share some running gear with the Alfas, including the 300 and Dodge Charger (since they are also based on the LX platform) and the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Caliber (which could be based on the same platform as the Milano). Other planned Alfa Romeo models for the U.S. include the dapper yet efficient MiTo hatchback and the 159 sedan (pictured above) or its successor.Alfa Romeo Mi.To official imagesAlfa Romeo Milano spy shots Read More

The long-awaited return of Fiat and Alfa Romeo is due to get underway soon following the signing of the new alliance with Chrysler, and word of the first cars to be brought in is finally emerging. While most of the Italian cars will be skewed towards the smaller end of town, one of the most anticipated, the Alfa 169 (the replacement for the aging 166), will be a large, luxurious, RWD saloon.

Reports coming out today claim that the Alfa Romeo 169 could be manufactured at Chrysler’s Brampton plant in Ontario. According to research firm IHS Global Insight, the 169 will most likely ride on the RWD platform that underpins the Chrysler 300... The long-awaited return of Fiat and Alfa Romeo is due to get underway soon following the signing of the new alliance with Chrysler, and word of the first cars to be brought in is finally emerging. While most of the Italian cars will be skewed towards the smaller end of town, one of the most anticipated, the Alfa 169 (the replacement for the aging 166), will be a large, luxurious, RWD saloon. Reports coming out today claim that the Alfa Romeo 169 could be manufactured at Chrysler’s Brampton plant in Ontario. According to research firm IHS Global Insight, the 169 will most likely ride on the RWD platform that underpins the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger models and will be priced around the $40,000 mark. If the research firm’s predications prove true, the new Alfa Romeo 169 would likely be powered by Chrysler’s new Pentastar V6 engine and would share much in common with the next-generation Chrysler 300 sedan due next year. Production volumes would be low, with only about 10,000 units expected annually. Chrysler spokeswoman Mary Gauthier told the Financial Post that the company is still reviewing production plans and no final decisions on building Fiat vehicles in Canada have been made. Tax incentives and loan commitments to the Canadian government, however, suggest that it is a very real possibility. Read More

Brand new versions of both the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee are coming in the next couple of years, kicking off a product renaissance at Chrysler that will include the launch of 24 new or updated models over the next 48 months. The company used this week’s New York Auto Show to present its redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as preview its next-generation 300 sedan.

While we’ve already seen a preview rendering of the 2011 model year 300 sedan and its interior, Chrysler has released a new preview rendering of the interior, revealing a much more upmarket look and a large, centrally mounted LCD screen.

The new 300 is... Brand new versions of both the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee are coming in the next couple of years, kicking off a product renaissance at Chrysler that will include the launch of 24 new or updated models over the next 48 months. The company used this week’s New York Auto Show to present its redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as preview its next-generation 300 sedan. While we’ve already seen a preview rendering of the 2011 model year 300 sedan and its interior, Chrysler has released a new preview rendering of the interior, revealing a much more upmarket look and a large, centrally mounted LCD screen. The new 300 is claimed to be up to 19% more fuel-efficient than the current version and to set it apart from the competition the car is also promised to feature "unprecedented uconnect connectivity, and be available with a new fuel-efficient V6 in addition to a Hemi V8 with cylinder deactivation.” This new V6 is the company’s long-awaited Pentastar, which will also power the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Safety features will include ‘Rear Cross Path’ and ‘Blind Spot Monitoring’ systems to warn drivers of unseen vehicles, electronic stability control, an energy-absorbing steering column, a rear-sill reinforced body structure. Chrysler’s short-term future will also see the introduction of new electric vehicles (EV). A fleet of 66 EVs will begin testing later this year and the first for public sale will be available next year, with additional models to come in 2013. In addition to all-electric vehicles, Chrysler will offer range-extended plug-in hybrid vehicles that combine the drive components of an electric vehicle with an integrated, petrol auxiliary power unit and generator to power the electric drive when needed. Via: KickingTires2011 Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee official preview Read More

Just because you can buy a Charger SRT8 for under $35,000 after incentives and rebates doesn't mean Chrysler is liquidating its SRT cars to get rid of the brand. In fact, Chrysler has said specifically that its high-performance division is safe from the current budgetary cutbacks.

Unlike General Motors' now-canceled High Performance Vehicle Operations, Chrysler's SRT is "sticking around", said VP of global planning Steve Bartoli in a chat posted to the Red Letter Dodge blog.

The Charger, Challenger and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 versions are all still alive despite the company going so far to save money as to get rid of its clocks to save... Just because you can buy a Charger SRT8 for under $35,000 after incentives and rebates doesn't mean Chrysler is liquidating its SRT cars to get rid of the brand. In fact, Chrysler has said specifically that its high-performance division is safe from the current budgetary cutbacks. Unlike General Motors' now-canceled High Performance Vehicle Operations, Chrysler's SRT is "sticking around", said VP of global planning Steve Bartoli in a chat posted to the Red Letter Dodge blog. The Charger, Challenger and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 versions are all still alive despite the company going so far to save money as to get rid of its clocks to save the money spent adjusting them twice a year. In fact, an all-new SRT model based around a sedan is in the works, though exactly which car it'll be based around isn't yet clear. One obvious candidate is the re-worked 300 sedan leaked in the company's viability presentation. Read More

Whoever said the muscle car era was dead and gone? Right now you can drive away with more than 400hp (298kW) under the hood for around $35,000. The poor state of the economy is taking its toll on vehicle sales (GM just posted its worst sales figures since 1967 in February) but this is also having a positive effect on the level of vehicle discounting that’s happening around the country.

Two specials this month are the 2009 model Pontiac G8 GXP and Dodge Charger SRT8. The G8 GXP is listed at $37,610 but depending on where you live the 415hp (309kW) muscle-bound sedan comes with up to $3,000 in cash-back offers or various 0% financing... Whoever said the muscle car era was dead and gone? Right now you can drive away with more than 400hp (298kW) under the hood for around $35,000. The poor state of the economy is taking its toll on vehicle sales (GM just posted its worst sales figures since 1967 in February) but this is also having a positive effect on the level of vehicle discounting that’s happening around the country. Two specials this month are the 2009 model Pontiac G8 GXP and Dodge Charger SRT8. The G8 GXP is listed at $37,610 but depending on where you live the 415hp (309kW) muscle-bound sedan comes with up to $3,000 in cash-back offers or various 0% financing options. However, as KickingTires points out, you need to add to this a $1,700 gas-guzzler so at the end of the day you’re looking at around $36,310. As for the Charger, the 425hp (317kW) SRT8 range-topped is listed at $41,120, including the gas-guzzler tax and $750 destination charge, but throw in the company’s employee pricing discount and this price falls to $37,516. The story doesn’t end there as Chrysler is offering a $2,000 cash-back bonus in most areas and an additional $1,000 if you finance through Chrysler Financial – the end result is a drive away price of $34,516. Even in these dark times it’s always worth looking at the bright side. We just wonder how much longer GM and Chrysler will be able to offer such generous discounts on their vehicles. Last month saw Chrysler incentives total $5,566 for every car it sold, an unsustainable amount in anyone’s books.2009 Pontiac G8 GXP Read More

Brand new versions of both the Dodge Durango SUV and Chrysler 300 are coming in the next couple of years, kicking off a product renaissance at Chrysler that will include the launch of 24 new or updated models over the next 48 months. The information comes from the carmaker’s CEO, Bob Nardelli, who also confirmed that a new brand new Jeep model is in the works.

In a letter sent to Chrysler employees late Friday, Nardelli revealed that the company will build a new Durango at its Jefferson Avenue North plant in Detroit alongside the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is also due next year. Other new models confirmed to be in... Brand new versions of both the Dodge Durango SUV and Chrysler 300 are coming in the next couple of years, kicking off a product renaissance at Chrysler that will include the launch of 24 new or updated models over the next 48 months. The information comes from the carmaker’s CEO, Bob Nardelli, who also confirmed that a new brand new Jeep model is in the works. In a letter sent to Chrysler employees late Friday, Nardelli revealed that the company will build a new Durango at its Jefferson Avenue North plant in Detroit alongside the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is also due next year. Other new models confirmed to be in development include a redesigned Dodge Charger sedan and a range of all-electric vehicles. This new Charger, as well as the next 300 sedan, are expected to arrive late next year as 2011 models and should feature only ‘evolutionary’ styling. However, Chrysler's new design chief Ralph Gilles has previously stated that the vehicles would have a "quantum leap in quality." Nardelli also used the letter to clarify arrangements in Chrysler's proposed alliance with Fiat, reports Automotive News. "It is important to note that no U.S. taxpayer funds would go to Fiat," the letter said. "The alliance is based on an exchange of equity for assets. Fiat would acquire an equity stake in Chrysler by giving us access to substantially all its vehicle platforms and technologies. This access is of high value to Chrysler, saving us significant costs and years of development time. Throughout this process we will work with the U.S. government to ensure Chrysler meets all terms of the U.S. Treasury loan agreement, including the submission of a restructuring plan that assures Chrysler's long-term viability, timely loan repayment and energy efficiency." Read More