What's in store for mopar?

[Prince Valiant]

And it's not all doom and gloom.
Continuation of another thread where it veered to a discussion on the challenger and how a refreshed one is coming in MY '11. Keep in mind, much of this has changed dramatically in even the last 3-6 months, but the following is a rundown from very good sources that are usually right 95% or better.

This is what hitman had to say about the prospects of a redesign/revamp of the 2011 challenger:

Yeah? And with what money are they gonna do this? Chrysler is on extremely shaky ground right now and I can't see them spending whole bunch of cash that they can't really spare just to repop a design that doesn't move a lot of units and probably isn't terribly profitable. I'm a Mopar fan and I like the Challenger, but I'm having a hard time seeing much of a future for either one right now...

With regards to the 2011 Dodge challenger, it's pretty much already done...it's nothing major. Two new engines for the '11 MY, a new panel here or there, and refreshed interior...a new trans or two is coming in 2012 reportedly, though Marchionne has been pressing to get those online sooner rather than later. One of the new engines will be the 6.4 Hemi...

I'm like you...Mopar's finances look beyond dismal/bleak (or, what we actually know of their finances, since they still don't have to report the same way GM/Ford does). However, coming out of bankruptcy has allowed them to quell the hemorrhaging of cash, and the marriage to fiat has brought in both capital and already developed technology...as well as trimming cost of certain future platforms. And btw, does one think that Obama/congress will let a company fail when the UAW is actually the majority share holder now? So they're safe for at least a little while (oh, and fiat plans to up it's ownership from 20% to 35% by the end of this year).

With that they've scheduled a revamp/refresh of pretty much every model...

Cars:
1. First up, the Grand Cherokee: All new and mostly new powertrain. Base 3.6 non DI/non multi-air will produce 280hp, and the optional 390hp Hemi available. Designed for improved on-road ride with 4 wheel independent suspension, but retaining same off road capability with height adjustable suspension/increased wheel travel, etc. This will be for sale during the summer:



2. For MY 11, the Wrangler will continue, but the engine will be upgrade to the same 3.6 as above. Originally (and still) scheduled for another upgrade in MY 12 which was to include a diesel for the U.S. market...but this looks a little doubtful now.

3. Chrysler 300. No good images to show, but the restyle should be similar in appearance and proportion to the current model, with improved aerodynamics. Major restyle of the interior. New base 3.6 v6, new 6.4 for 300SRT8. New trans and rear end...an 8 speed is predicted, but may not appear until the following MY.

4. Dodge Charger. Same as above with a more pronounced restyle. Proportions mimic more closely the '99 charger concept that was so popular...car will be familiar, but different. It'll have new creases, new rear 3/4 that more close to the 68-70 models, reshaped rear windows, lower sleeker nose with similar lines to the 68-70 models, lower sleeker headlights, but a grille that's similar to the current model. A cladded/padded example:



5. The rwd 200c that was so successful at the autoshows is approved for production...though no word on when it'll hit the market. Alfa will share the LX platform that the 200C will be built on, amortizing the relatively low development cost further. Perhaps MY 2013 or 2014 when the sebring replacement dies...

6. Which brings us to the Sebring/Avenger. Sebring name will die with the major revamp. Platform stays the same, not much else. From styling to engines/powertrain, suspension, it'll all be revamped. Improved efficiency and power from the 4 cylinder (190hp "multi-air" 2.4's and 280hp v6) and new 6 speed dual-automated clutch trans will power these down the road. Sebring replacement image (the avenger will be more similarly styled to the current avenger, but softer in appearance):



7. Minivans will likely get the powertrain upgrades of the other FWD vehicles, including trans in either MY '11 or '12. Restyle to occur in MY '14.

8. Journey-is actually selling well worldwide...expect upgrades in MY '12 to US market powertrain to that like the sebring/avenger replacement. Revamped interior/exterior perhaps then too.

9. Durango replacement to come in MY'12, probably early 2011. Same platform/engines as Jeep, just larger and more road oriented. Might be named Magnum, or perhaps something else. Here is a patent drawing that was submitted, and looks like the cladded mules seen driving around the proving grounds currently:



10. Dakota will continue on a smaller, lighter platform...and it's looking like on the minivan platform. It'll be more of a road-going pick-up rather than the miniRam it is now, where it's almost as capable with 7,200lb tow ratings, similar mileage, etc. It'll go down in size and weight, seating for 4 or 5, and a bed just large enough for most...tow rating is targeted for 5G, but mileage sought is for upper 20's.

11. Ram pick-ups-Diesel for 1500 seems to be back in play (it's always in and out it seems, so no promises). The 280hp v6 will probably replace the 3.7 210hp v6 AND 4.7 310hp v8 in the line-up, and it's rumored the 3.6 will be a DI version since the noise levels of DI is seen as more acceptable/less noticeable in a truck. New trans are in the works. Dropping plans for a regular hybrid and going straight to plug-in hybrid tech.

12. Caliber/Patriot/Compass got revamped interiors. Unsure whether they'll get upgraded 4 cylinders and trans, or just continue along with the revamped/improved interiors and current powertrains until they are replaced by fiat sourced vehicles in 2012.

(-all the above are sourced from reliable sources within allpar.com and GMinsidenews that also uses good sources)

Engines:

Engines will include revamped world engines with multi-air and direct injection, including turbo version b/w 220hp for low turbo output and up to 320hp on higher output versions. Likewise, a new family of v6's is coming with displacments ranging from 3.0 to 3.6, and maybe even up to 4.0 as originally planned...there will be plain jane versions (non DI, no multi-air) like the 280hp v6 in the Jeep GC, to DI/multi-air, to single AND twin turbo version up to 420hp. The 6.4 Hemi is planned b/w 450hp and 500hp, while still using MDS...but no final numbers have been released...this is what good sources say are the targets.

A graph from Chrysler's future engine presentation:



(-the engine sources are similar to above, and corroborated from the chrysler restructuring presentation a few months back)

Much of this was predicted to occur over a longer period...through MY 2014. However, mopar has speed much of this up due to dire needs.

Transmissions:

One of the big things that hurt chrysler, and changed many details lately is the bankruptcy not of chrysler...but of Getrag Transmission. Many of the new trans that were supposed to replace the aging, expensive, and power-sapping unit's currently found (both the 5 speeds of the trucks and LX's, the 4 and 6 speeds in the FWD cars) that also would have had the benefit of keeping their powertrains more competitive (the dual clutch trans are mechanically more efficient on top of offering more ratios, so less power = more performance, and more efficient transfer of power to the wheels). Now many of the replacement transmissions will be sourced from outfits including fiat themselves, asin, and more.

The Rest:
Add to that that Marchionne predicts operational profitability for this fiscal year, even before all the model intro's, and well...things might not be as bad as we've feared.

Marchionne has a big rule about no big announcements unless it's within two months from being available for sale in the showroom...so we don't hear about things like the chevy volt for 4 years before it becomes available...and thus old news before the first was ever sold (well, that's how HE justifies it). Likewise, although he things like the sebring/avenger don't sell well at all, he doesn't want to further depress sales by promising a much better car around the corner...or by making big enough hub-bubs that it depresses already depressing car sales. No doubt a downside to this is that it helps create an abysmal outlook...it certainly seems like chrysler's doing the least of the big 2.5, but that's simply the perception....not really based on reality.


The info is out there...just got to know who to listen to and where to find him.

Chrysler is safe in the short-term...but if these models/powertrains don't pan out, they're doomed, no doubt.