Chrysler sees 300 as its lucky number

The Chrysler 300, once a hot-selling sedan distinguished by a tall grille and big wheels, staged its comeback at the Detroit Auto Show.

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Chrysler Group LLC

Many of the edges have been rounded off, but the 2011 version of the Chrysler 300 sedan is easily recognizable.

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Chrysler/AP Photo

This undated image provided by Chrysler, shows the new redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan.

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Chrysler/AP Photo

The detail of a 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan's headlight.

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Associated Press

The newly redesigned Chrysler 300 sedan is introduced at the 2011 North American International Auto Show.

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Chrysler Group LLC

The interior of the large sedan oozes comfortable luxury. The base sedan starts around $28,000.

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It's an important car in a pivotal year for the company, which must start making money before a public stock sale can happen.
The 300 for 2011 keeps the basic look of the old: It's a muscular car with a long hood and short back. The remake is sleeker, and Chrysler toned down the gangster-mobile grille and replaced its round head lamps with subtle rectangular ones.
Fuel mileage went up 8 percent, and the interior has softer-looking surfaces and cool-blue dashboard lighting.
Chrysler wants it to attract a broad range of buyers, from those who want a larger car to those who seek high-performance luxury.

2013 Chrysler 300 Hybrid and gas/electric minivan model confirmed

2013 Chrysler 300 Hybrid

Beyond its joint program with the EPA that's focused on developing a hydraulic hybrid system for passenger cars, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has revealed plans to bring a more conventional gasoline-electric hybrid version of the new Chrysler 300 to market here in 2013. He followed up comments initially made at the Detroit Auto Show by telling workers at the automaker's plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, that a hybrid minivan also will be joining the corporate lineup, although he gave no confirmation as to whether it would be based on a next-gen version of the Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan. Both minivans are currently produced at the Canadian facility along with the Chrysler 300, but Marchionne previously indicated that one of the two will likely be replaced by some sort of new multipurpose "people mover" when the full redesign does occur. Windsor also will be the future home of their hybrid offshoots, including a rebadged Chrysler 300/300 Hybrid that will be sold in Europe as the Lancia Thema/Thema Hybrid.

2011 Chrysler 300 gets a new look

2011 Chrysler 300

 The long anticipated release of the all-new Chrysler 300 marks an important milestone in the new Chrysler Group's five-year plan.  Chrysler's flagship luxury sedan is entirely new for 2011 and includes some unexpected design details.

A redesigned grille features seven deeply sculpted horizontal blades. The liquid-chrome finish of the blades and the new Chrysler wing badge contrast nicely against the bright chrome grille.  Bi-functional projector headlamps accompany  LED-illuminated daytime running lamps, which together form a “C” shape.

For improved aerodynamics and visibility, the 300's windshield has been raked back 3 inches, while rolled-framed doors with thinner pillars improve outward visibility by 15 percent. A new dual-pane panoramic sunroof provides passengers with twice the outward visibility of a standard sunroof.

From the rear, the deck lid on the new 300 now incorporates a lip spoiler and jeweled-like LED rear taillamps and signature “light pipes”.

The new 300 incorporates substantial interior upgrades, as well, including the use of soft touch materials throughout the cabin, available heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats, and real wood appliques on the instrument panel, doors, center console and steering wheel.

A new instrument cluster features two large gauge faces with sapphire blue illumination and chrome ring accents. An all-new sapphire blue LED-illuminated provides ambient interior lighting.

2011 Chrysler 200 Achieves 20/31 MPG City/Highway

2011 Chrysler 200

The 2011 Chrysler 200 won't be the most fuel-efficient ride in its class, as the EPA has rated the new midsize sedan at 20/31 mpg in city/highway. The figures are available for the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that's available with a six-speed automatic transmission standard on Touring and Limited trim levels, as KickingTires reported. In other words, this means the new Chrysler 200 is less fuel-efficient than Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata, the same source added.

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that develops 283 horsepower is by far more efficient, achieving 19/29 mpg in city/highway. This means the future model is more efficient than Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu, but slots below Toyota Camry in the US midsize sedan class.

Chrysler Prices 2011 Jeep Compass at $19,295

2011 Jeep Compass

Chrysler Group LLC has announced that it will begin sales of 2011 Jeep Compass next month. When the Jeep Compass hits the roads, it will have a starting price tag of $19,295, which excludes a $700 destination fee. The price is higher than the $15,365 for the 2010 Jeep Compass.

The company noted that the 2011 model features a lot more standard equipment including air conditioning, power windows and locks, heated power side mirrors, keyless entry, fog lamps, cruise control and tinted glass.
The 2011 Jeep Compass is available in three trims: base, Latitude and Limited, with the base model starting at $19,295. The Compass base comes equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, heated power side mirrors, fog lamps, roof rails, rear-window wiper/washer, air conditioning , 17-inch aluminum wheels and a lot more.
The Jeep Compass Latitude is priced at $21,595. This trim level of Compass comes equipped with continuously variable automatic transmission, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, fold-flat front seat and a 115-volt auxiliary outlet. The Jeep Compass Limited that is priced at $24,295 comes with a 172-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, automatic climate control, in-dash vehicle display, auto-dimming rearview mirror and leather upholstery among others.
Chrysler has redesigned the front end of the 2011 Compass to give a more upscale look, like the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Base and Latitude trims come standard with a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is rated at 23/29 mpg city/highway with a five-speed manual transmission.

Chrysler and Ford Pickup Trucks Are Recalled

 

The 2011 Ram 1500 pickup trucks were recalled by Chrysler after a risk of rear-axle seizure was discovered.

Chrysler is recalling about 56,600 Ram 1500 pickups from the 2011 model year because the rear axle might seize. Meanwhile, Ford is recalling about 14,700 trucks and crossovers after two fires at an assembly plant, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In a recent filing, Chrysler told the agency that it began its investigation after receiving three owner complaints about noise coming from, or seizure of, the rear axle. Chrysler said it determined that increasing the amount of lube oil from 71 to 91 ounces “considerably improved lubrication and bearing heat management.”
The company has since begun filling all new rear axles with additional fluid. The recall involves adding 20 more ounces to trucks already sold. Chrysler was aware of 20 complaints about the rear axles as of Dec. 21. The majority of failures occurred within the first 500 miles.

Ford, Chrysler recall almost 160,000 vehicles

Chrysler

US automakers Ford and Chrysler are recalling tens of thousands of vehicles due to safety problems, the government said Friday.

Chrysler Group was recalling about 143,000 vehicles over the 2008-2011 model years in three separate filings, according to a report on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.

The number-three US automaker, managed by Italy's Fiat, recalled more than 22,000 2008-2011 Dodge Ram trucks to address a potential steering problem.

Chrysler also recalled about 65,000 2009 Dodge Journey sport utility vehicles that could fail to deploy air bags, and 56,000 2011 Ram trucks to fix a bearing that could cause them to stall.

Ford Motor, the nation's second-largest automaker, recalled almost 15,000 2011 model years of pickup trucks, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX SUVs to address an electrical problem that could cause a fire, the government said.