Chrysler 200 Review

what’s the story of the Chrysler 200? In its restructuring, Chrysler had good products and good people, but it needed to deliver something special to the American people to remind them that what makes this company great are the same things that make America great—hard work, ingenuity, innovation.
The 200 marks a new era for the American-made sedan. “This wasn’t so much a remodeling of the Sebring as it is a new model in its own right,” said Holden. “Much of the exterior has been redesigned in a major overhaul. In addition to the handsome and stylish exterior, the interior is new as well. Drivers will love the soft-touch dash and the classy look of the 200’s cabin. It’s a quieter ride as well.”

Chrysler 200

2011 Chrysler 200

Perhaps the weakest part of the Chrysler and Dodge brands' lineups have long been midsized sedans. This is not so much because the products are lacking, but because they're up against the strongest cars some other brands have — the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Mazda6, Chevrolet Malibu, the excellent Hyundai Sonata and its near-twin, the Kia Optima.

Consequently, dealers typically had to discount the 2010 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger to keep them moving. Although the Sebring was a relatively young design, Chrysler decided to accelerate its planned makeover, and for 2011 we get the Chrysler 200. Yes, there are still bits and pieces shared with last year's Sebring, but there's a lot new — the nose and the rear, the fenders, the grille, the hood, the trunk lid and the lights. Inside, the cockpit has been updated. And under the hood, there's a new engine offered — a 3.6-liter, 283-horsepower V-6 replacing the 3.5-liter.

2011 Chrysler 200

2011 Chrysler 300 Performance

2011 Chrysler 300

The 2011 Chrysler 300 is not an all-new car. Execs on hand at the vehicle's launch here in San Diego, Cali. called it a machine sent to, "finishing school." A prime example: The rear-drive chassis originally sourced from Mercedes in the DaimlerChrysler days remains, but by re-tuning the independent suspension and adding electro-hydraulic steering, the XL sedan handles more handsomely and feels smaller at the wheel. Chrysler's leaned the wheels in a little more too (called negative camber) and upgraded the tires on all models to aid the corner carving cause.

Headlining the powertrain story is the arrival - and not a moment to soon - of Chrysler's new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 as the standard engine. Debuted in the Jeep Grand Cherokee last year, it makes 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque here. That's an increase of 42 hp and 10 lb-ft over the old 3.5L, not to mention a four miles per gallon bump in fuel economy.

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.