Chrysler made a series of big announcements today at its Mack I Engine Plant in Detroit.
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A small portion of Chrysler’s one-size-fits-all Pentastar V6 engines are reported to have faulty cylinder heads, which are being replaced by the automaker under warranty.
The new 2012 Jeep Wrangler will be getting a new engine that provides better fuel efficiency with more power and torque. The new 3.6-liter “Pentastar” V6 engine improves fuel efficiency up to 21 miles per gallon, while delivering 285-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler will also receive a new five-speed automatic transmission to improve shifting and performance. The 3.6-liter Pentastar engine was the winner of the prestigious Ward’s 10 Best Engines award, and for the first time can be mated to a manual transmission. The new engine has 40 percent more horsepower and 10 percent more torque than the outgoing 3.8-liter V6.
“Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and iconic vehicle in the world – has a new heart but retains the same soul for 2012,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our new 3.6-liter V6 engine gives the ever-capable Wrangler a completely new, more refined on-road driving experience – complete with more fuel efficiency, power and torque”.
New colors also join the Jeep color palette for 2012, including “Dozer” yellow, “Crush” orange, a “Black Forest” dark green, a bright green “Gecko” and a blue-gray “Winter Chill”. Plus, look for a Moparized Wrangler Renegade to follow.
GALLERY: 2012 Jeep Wrangler
The movers and shakers of China are buying up luxury cars, and cars in general, at a dizzying pace. And Maserati is nothing if not on fire intuitive, so the skyrocketing sales in China are motivating the Italian company to expand even faster.
There have been past murmurs of a “baby” Quattroporte, but the current ‘porte is getting a refresh as well—and both models may get four-wheel drive with high-performance technology from the Ferrari FF. And in the sort of synergy that makes Chrysler TC by Maserati enthusiasts feel appreciated, a Maserati SUV based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is also being planned: it would be built in Bertone’s former plant near Turin, and it can start annoying enthusiasts as soon as 2013.
Lastly, thanks to parent company Fiat’s stake in Chrysler, Maserati may use a Multiair-equipped version of the V6 Pentastar engine, good for 400 horsepower, instead of a V8 from Ferrari. Hear that? That’s the sound of a thousand angry Chrysler-hating mobs who cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced by Sergio Marchionne.
[Source: Car & Driver]
Chrysler will have a short 2011 model year, as its revamped efforts for this year haven’t even finished arriving, while ordering for the 2012 model year cars will begin in just over a month.
After its 2009 bankruptcy, Chrysler doubled down to bring out a slate of revised products for 2011. A total of 16 products were revamped within 18 months, but some cars, like the 2011 Chrysler 300, have yet to arrive at dealers. Meanwhile, ordering of the 2012 models begins in late May, with production commencing in July.
Dealers don’t seem too concerned with the issue, and anticipate a smooth transition to the 2012 model year. A whole host of changes are scheduled for 2012, including an all-new Pentastar V6 for the Jeep Wrangler, and a replacement for the underwhelming Dodge Caliber based on a Fiat platform.
[Source: Automotive News]
We aren’t sure if the press shots for the 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible are supposed to be ironic, but the lush shots of the 200 cruising through Miami, one of the top vacation spots in the world, are entirely appropriate.
While the motoring press loved the 200 about as much as the Ebola virus, and while the new car is supposedly a step above the old one, that’s not saying much. Hopefully the redesigned interior and 3.6L Pentastar V6 make this car suitable for consumption outside the Hertz parking lot.
For more information on the Chrysler 200, such as news, information and discussions, please visit http://www.200forums.com/
Gallery: Chrysler 200 Convertible
[Source: Autoblog]
Jeep‘s venerable Wrangler will get the much lauded Pentastar V6 next year, according to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne.
Marchionne confirmed that the 2012 Wrangler will do away with the current 202 horsepower V6, and adopt the newest Chrysler 6-pot, which makes between 283 and 305 horsepower.
Also confirmed was the upcoming Dodge compact hatchback based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Even more interesting was the news that the Alfa platform will be the “architecture that will govern all of Chrysler’s C- and D-segment vehicles, both passenger cars and SUVs, for the foreseeable future.” That means that most future Dodge cars, save for the Charger, will be spun off of this Euro-derived platform. If this is means the demise of the Avenger, Journey