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The next Live SRT Engineering chat session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3rd. The session will run from from 6pm to 8pm EST and will be held at the Chargerforums site. The topic of discussion will be the Charger, but as usual all SRT-related questions on current products are welcome. Please do not ask about the Dodge Hornet Concept.
A thread has already been created and will be unlocked a couple of hours prior to the chat session, at which time you will be able to start posting your questions.
As expected, Chrysler is displaying many refreshed models at the Detroit Auto Show including the brand’s flagship car, the 300. There isn’t actually a lot new with the car, but under new Fiat ownership the company is eager to rebrand itself in any way possible as it waits for all new models to go into development and/or production.
For starters, Chrysler has done away with some of its more complex naming system in favor of two simple (and European sounding) designations: S6 and S8. The S6 model is powered by the company’s 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6, while the S8 gets the 360-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8.
Most noticeable on the outside of the new 2010 models is the lack of chrome on the front grille. Instead the imposing wall of chrome has been traded in for a blacked-out one. Chrome is, however, still used for the door handles, window surrounds and inside the vehicle. Also on the inside the 300 has received a makeover with a carbon-weave steering wheel with red stitching and silver spokes, as well as carbon-weave door handles with red stitching. In addition, highly-bolstered dark gray leather seats feature suede accents with “300 S” logos.
Both the 2010 Chrysler 300 S6 and S8 go on sale in the Spring of this year.
Subdued in 2009, America's most important auto show is back on track at the start of a new and more optimistic year. General Motors and Ford will take center stage with a long list of new and important products including the 2011 Ford Focus, 2011 Ford Mustang GT, Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, 2011 Chevrolet Aveo, Buick Regal GS, GMC Granite Concept, Cadillac XTS Concept and Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. As for Chrysler, it doesn't have any press conference scheduled, but it will display a rebadged five-door hatchback from Fiat's Lancia brand, as well as a lineup of Fiat 500 models, including a convertible, electric version and a sporty Abarth model. Now under Fiat's wing, the Chrysler booth with also display amazing machines from both Ferrari and Maserati.
Other important vehicles debuting at the show include the Honda CR-Z Hybrid, a dedicated hybrid concept from Toyota, the 2011 BMW 3 Series, BMW Z4 sDrive35is, 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe, MINI Beachcomber Concept and the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet.
There's sure to be plenty more as well, so check back often as we update this page with the latest breaking news from the Detroit Auto Show starting January 11th.
Plus: Don't forget to sign on to get email updates from AutoGuide.com's live coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
Chrysler has just unveiled its strategy that will see a more than 25 percent improvement in fuel economy by 2014. The five-year plan will see significant use of Fiat technology and engines, with smaller engines, six-speed dual clutch transmissions, as well as the use of turbocharging and direct injection technology. Chrysler will also continue to explore electric car technology, with a hybrid Ram expected this year, while a plug-in hybrid Ram 1500 will begin fleet testing.
In total, four new engines will be launched in Chrysler products over the next few years. The first is the 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE with Multiair, which makes 100-hp at 6,50 rpm and 95 ft-lbs of torque at 4,250 rpm. Hardly exciting, this engine will get impressive fuel economy. Add a turbocharger, however, and the 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE Turbo with Multiair delivers 170-hp at 6,750 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. The first vehicle to launch in North America with the 1.4-liter will be the Fiat 500, with other Chrysler models to follow.
Next up is a new version of the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder World Engine (above), which gets Fiat's variable valve Multiair technology to produce 190-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque. Compared to its predecessor, Chrysler says this new engine not only delivers improved power, but fuel economy as well.
Finally, a new 3.6-liter V6 engine will also be introduced, taking the place of six different V6 engines in the Chrysler lineup. Called the V6 Pentastar, it will first appear in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, making 280-hp and 260 ft-lbs of torque - 90 percent of which is available from 1800 rpm. In the Grand Cherokee, this amounts to an increase of 33 percent more power and 11 percent more torque than the outgoing V6 model.
In addition to these four new engines, Chrysler will begin to use Fiat's six-speed dual clutch transmission to deliver improved fuel economy and quick-shifting driving dynamics. Chrysler says the Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT) can handle up to 260 ft-lbs of torque and will launch later this year in mid-size D-Segment cars.
"By 2014 calendar year, more than 80 percent of Chrysler Group's current powertrain lineup will undergo a complete makeover," said Chrysler Powertrain boss Paolo Ferrero.
As a part of Chrysler's new approach, the company is tweaking almost all of its models for 2010 and changing their trim designations. Easily one of the U.S. automaker's most successful models in the past decade, the 300, gets only minor changes this year.
For starters, Chrysler has done away with some of its more complex nomenclature in favor of two simple (and European sounding) designations: S6 and S8. The S6 model is powered by the company's 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6, while the S8 gets the 360-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8.
Most noticeable on the outside of the new 2010 models is the lack of chrome on the front grille. Instead the imposing wall of chrome has been traded in for a blacked-out one. Chrome is, however, still used for the door handles, window surrounds and inside the vehicle. Also on the inside the 300 has received a makeover with a carbon-weave steering wheel with red stitching and silver spokes, as well as carbon-weave door handles with red stitching. In addition, highly-bolstered dark gray leather seats feature suede accents with "300 S" logos.
Both the 2010 Chrysler 300 S6 and S8 go on sale in the Spring of this year.
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Chrysler 300C Forum: 300C & SRT8 Forums
