2011 Chrysler 300

When it first debuted in production form in 2005, the Chrysler 300 turned heads and changed minds about what was going on at Chrysler. It was a truly unique and fresh take on the idea of the American luxury sedan. For 2011, the Chrysler 300 gets a thorough and equally original update to its styling that keeps the theme of the first-generation car while moving in a new direction. MotorAuthority rates the 2011 Chrysler 300 at 7 out of 10.



Toning down the original 300's looks somewhat, the new 300 is also more sophisticated. The front end in particular wears a more delicately-designed grille and bumper. Inside the story is much the same, with a wood-trimmed cabin that takes the look in a more mellow direction with the exception of the large, bright LCD touchscreen mounted at the center of the dash.



Power is also refined for the 2011 300, with the Pentastar V-6 engine generating 283 horsepower and mated to a surprisingly capable five-speed automatic. HEMI V-8s are also available in the 300C and 300 SRT8, adding power levels that reach abundant and ludicrous, respectively. The SRT8 is upgraded for 2011 from its previous 6.1-liter displacement to 6.4 liters and 465 horsepower. All versions of the 300 offer a comfortable, relaxed driving demeanor, with only the SRT8 focused enough to be considered truly high-performance.



Comfort is likewise abundant: five adults can fit within, roomy and comfortable seats at all positions. Opt for the SRT8 and the seats become luxurious: thick bolsters and ample padding cradle passengers like 150-mph easy chairs.



Chrysler does its best with the 300's available features and options, too, with iPod/iPhone connectivity, the aforementioned large LCD touchscreen for interfacing with the navigation and infotainment systems, available mobile Internet connectivity and streaming satellite TV, rear-seat DVD monitors, and more.



[Source: motorauthority.com]

New Ram Brand gets Dodge's Horns Logo, Dodge Adopts SRT-Like Twin-Red Slash

Late last year, Chrysler LLC split Dodge's lineup into two different brands, one for the firm's passenger vehicles, and the other comprised of the Ram truck models. Now it's time for the Detroit automaker to separate the brand's identities with a different logo for each brand.

As you can see in these official pictures, the Ram brand gets to keep Dodge's well-known horn logo while Dodge, which will be positioned as a sporty and youth-orientated passenger car maker, adopts a new insignia featuring two red slashes that's inspired by the Chrysler Group's SRT performance brand.

Read more »

Fiat Starts Combining Lancia and Chrysler Networks in Europe

In the continuing process of reorganizing Chrysler and Lancia, Fiat will be working to combine both brands' dealership and supply networks throughout Europe.

The combined-dealerships will be known as Lancia throughout mainland Europe and Chrysler in the UK. The reason for that is Chrysler is currently established in the UK, while Lancia is not.

Read more »

Jeep Releases New Photos and Video of 2011 Grand Cherokee

The Chrysler LLC group has rolled out fresh pictures and a new video with some B-Roll footage of its all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee a couple of weeks ahead of the SUV's U.S. market launch in early June.

The 2011 Grand Cherokee will be offered with a choice of two engines including the Chrysler Group's all-new 290HP 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that delivers up to 23 mpg, and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360-horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque.

In its latest press release, the company revealed prices for the entry-level 4x2 Laredo model that starts from $30,995, while the 4x4 version of the Laredo will start at $32,995. The new Grand Cherokee is built at the Chrysler group's Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit.

Read more »

Hyundai Officially Denies Ram-Based Pickup Truck Rumors

There was a rumor floating around this week that Hyundai is in talks with Chrysler LLC to sell a version of the Dodge Ram pickup under its own brand in the States.

Today, the South Korean-based automaker vigorously denied the story through an official statement made from its U.S division.

"Hyundai Motor Co. denies that there are any current plans to bring a pickup truck of any type into the U.S. now or in the foreseeable future," the company said in its statement.

"Hyundai is not in discussion with Chrysler in regard to a selling a rebadged Chrysler Corp pickup truck, or any other vehicle, in the U.S," the automaker concluded.

Read more »

Chrysler LLC Recalling Over 40,000 Cars to Fix Ignition Switch

Today's recall comes from the Chrysler LLC group that is calling in 40,131 vehicles over a glitch with the ignition switch. The Detroit automaker said that the recall includes certain 2010 model year Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Charger, Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee, and Dodge Ram vehicles.

Read more »

Dodge Fan Renders 2012 Durango SUV from Official Sketches

couple of months ago we broke the story on the official patent drawings of the next Dodge Durango SUV (see here), or whatever else Chrysler LLC bosses decide to name it. Andrew Currie from the 'Cheersandgears' forums took a couple of these sketches and rendered them to offer us a more realistic view of Dodge's full-size SUV.

Read more »

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Prices Announced, Starts from $32,995

Chrysler's Jeep division has released pricing for the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee that will start at a U.S. manufacturer's retail price (MSRP) of $32,995, which includes destination. It will arrive in Jeep showrooms in the beginning of June.

The 2011 Grand Cherokee will be available with two engines. The base models get the all-new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which according to Chrysler, boasts an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy for the Grand Cherokee, delivering up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas. The V6 is hooked up to o a five-speed automatic transmission.

For those in need of more power, there's an optional 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque (520 Nm), that's coupled to a "multi-speed automatic transmission".

The all-new Grand Cherokee will be available in three models - Laredo, Limited and Overland. For more details on prices and equipment, check out the list after the jump.

Read more »

Detroit 3 Closing Worker Pay Gap with Foreign Competitors

Sean McAlinden, an economist working for the Center for Automotive Research, says that due to shifts in UAW retiree / health planning US auto manufacturers may end up with a labor-cost advantage in the next few years. GM is used as the prime example.

Here's a look at the timeline:

In 2007, per-vehicle labor costs for GM were $1,400 more than Toyota, its largest international competitor. $950 of that was for retiree benefits.

In 2008, Detroit's Big 3 manufacturers (Ford, GM and Chrysler LLC) were reportedly paying their hourly employees $69,368 per year on average versus $70,185 being earned by employees at foreign-owned plants. Salaried employees at the Detroit automakers were making $122,963 versus $81,506 earned by foreign-based counterparts.

Read more »

Chrysler 2010 Model Release Update: 14 All-New or Refreshed Products

Disclaimer: There's only so many ways to say "face-lift", so for the sake of ease models receiving a face-lift (as opposed to new sheet metal) will gain the prefix "FL".

A lot of people are curious as to how this Fiat/Chrysler party is going to play out. Well, Chrysler's now beginning to paint a clearer picture of its upcoming lineup. So, what's the "new Chrysler" have in store for consumers?

Arriving very soon will be the next generation Mercedes-based, Jeep Grand Cherokee (with Chrysler's new Pentastar V6). Coming a little later in quarter three are a Pentastar-packing Wrangler and an FL Patriot.

Read more »

China's Electric Chrysler Sebring: BAIC BE071

Some live pictures of BAIC's Sebring-based electric car have been found, and the results are thankfully not scary to look at.

China's BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co.) opened its own dedicated alternate propulsion division a while back in the form of the Beijing New Energy Automotive Company. Now that's a name that rolls off the tongue.

B-NEAC's goal is to build a few hundred test vehicles as taxis that would be rechargeable throughout Beijing. If the taxis are successful, stage two would consist of building a bunch more and lease them directly to the public.

Read more »

Chrysler Announces New Incentives: 0% Financing or up to $4,000 Rebates

The Chrysler Group LLC is the latest automaker to join the incentive war that car makers have been waging for the past month in order to increase sales to individual customers in the U.S.

The Detroit company said that it has began offering 0 percent financing or discounts (e.g. Dodge Charger buyers can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 72 months or a $3,000 rebate) on most 2010 model year Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram truck vehicles when financed through GMAC Financial Services.

The incentives announced are valid until June 1, 2010. For more details, check out the official release after the jump.

Read more »

Chrysler Reportedly Kills Sebring Name, Gives Birth to Nassau

According to a news report from the Detroit Free Press, Chrysler's super-refreshed Sebring replacement will be called the Nassau, after executives decided the Sebring name has been "tarnished". More like utterly destroyed.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Nassau name, it's derived from a few previous Chrysler concepts (most recently the 2007 Nassau 4-door coupe/wagon concept) and the location where Bond won his Aston martin DB5 in a poker game.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne explained one reason for the name switch, referencing Chrysler's poor image/entry in the mid-size segment: "If you look at the Sebring and benchmark it against the competition, it's not where it needs to be." Hopefully a redesign and a new identity will help out.

Read more »

Malignant Rumors: The SRT8 Super Jeep Returneth

Car and Driver is under the impression that Jeep engineers are crazy enough to create a second-generation of their hi-po SRT8 Grand Cherokee. The basis? No one will confirm or deny anything (good enough for me!).

According to their contacts, SRTs come out in the opening years of a newly-released model. That means a preview this year would make for a prime 2012 SRT8 Grand Cherokee.

With Chrysler woes and reorganization, we shouldn't expect anything super-new with the power plant. Look for is a stroked version of the current 6.1 liter engine (at 6.4 liters), still naturally aspirated, and putting out over 500 horsepower / lb-ft.

Read more »

Obama: Auto Industry Bailout was the Right Thing to do

President Barack Obama is using GM's recent loan repayment and Chrysler's operating profit as proof that his "unpopular" auto bailout decision was the right thing to do.

"I knew this wasn't a popular decision. But it was the right one," Obama said. Without the bailout, the American economic outcome could have been much more disturbing.

"General Motors and Chrysler...were on the brink of collapse. The rapid dissolution of these companies -- followed by the certain failure of many auto parts makers, car dealers and other smaller businesses -- would have dealt a crippling blow to our already suffering economy."

Read more »

Marchionne Appears to Like the Idea of a Three-Way Alliance Between Fiat, Chrysler and PSA Citroen-Peugeot

Sergio Marchionne, head of the Fiat and Chrysler groups is predicting that the next major merger in the automotive industry will involve France's largest automaker, the PSA Peugeot-Citroen Group.

"The next merger will probably be French," Marchionne told reporters in Rome today. "They [PSA] tried with Mitsubishi and they will try with someone else."

Read more »

Chrysler Wraps Headquarters to Celebrate "Truck of the Year" Award

To celebrate the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty Motor Trend "Truck of the Year" win, Chrysler has put a dedicated 140-foot tall and 120-foot wide building wrap at its Pentastar Central headquarters in Auburn Hills.

Read more »

Dodge to end Viper Production with 50 Final Editions

Dodge's Viper SRT10 will be going out with a bang, or in this case, a limited run of 50 "Final Edition" models starting production this summer.

The Final Edition package will be available on all three variations of the Viper (Coupe, Roadster, ACR) and will consist of the body painted in a Graphite Clear Coat with a center-mounted black racing stripe highlighted in red.

Read more »

500,000th Fiat 500 Rolls Off the Production Line in Poland

In an important milestone for the new Fiat 500's history, the 500,000th example of the Italian automaker's retro-styled mini rolled off the production line this week at the Fiat Auto plant in Tychy, Poland, 21 months after its market launch. The commemorative model was finished in a so-called "Funk White" color and powered by a 69HP 1.2 engine with Start&Stop.

The new Fiat 500 is sold in 83 different countries around the world, from Italy to Brazil, and South Africa to Japan.

Read more »

Born in the USA: Lancia, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo Jobs Coming to North America

Automotive News reports that Fiat's Italian manpower is being cut by 5,000 (approximately 6.25% of its total workforce in Italy) while "increasing domestic production to 900,000 units in 2012 from 661,100 units in 2009."

Fiat's response: "Media speculation about the plan's contents [is] 'premature and groundless.'"

Part of the supposed shift involves a decrease in models built, from fourteen to nine, while ramping-up production of the survivors.

Hit really hard will be Fiat's plant in Mirafiori, Turin. "Mirafiori builds the Fiat Punto Classic, Idea and Multipla models, the Lancia Musa and Alfa MiTo. Fiat is remodeling the plant to use a single line to build the Alfa Romeo MiTo and two new small minivans to replace the Idea and Multipla."

Read more »