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Chrysler's New Partnership with Fiat will Bring 7 New Models to the US

Chrysler and Fiat's newest agreement, which involves Fiat buying a 35 percent stake in Chrysler is going to lead to seven new fiat based cars making their way to the US.

According to unnamed sources four of the vehicles will be sold under the Chrysler brand and three will either be Alfa Romeos or Fiats. The official plan that will be announced on April 30th involves four Fiat platforms, a minicar, a subcompact, a compact and a mid-sized sedan. Chrysler's plants in the US are being tasked with producing the vehicles. Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico plant, which currently builds the soon to be killed PT Cruiser is going to produce the Fiat 500.

According to the Automotive News, under the plan its expected that Chrysler dealers will get two minicars, the Fiat 500 and a Dodge or Chrysler branded vehicle based on the Fiat Panda.

The subcompact segment will see the introduction of the Alfa Romeo MiTo and another Chrysler or Dodge branded vehicle.

A new compact car based Fiat’s C-Evo platform will likely replace the Dodge Caliber.

Lastly a replacement for the under performing Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger will be based on a stretched version of the C-Evo platform.

In case you are wondering what Fiat is going to get out of this deal, besides entry into the North American market, Fiat is going to sell the Dodge Journey and Dakota pickup in South America. In addition Fiat is going to use Chrysler's new Phoenix V6 engine in its own products.

Detroit 2009: Chrysler 200C Concept, what the Sebring should have been [w/VIDEO]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Chrysler, LLC.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chrysler 200C Concept

We were beginning to worry that the 300C was all Ralph Gilles had in him. But if the Chrysler 200C Concept is what Chrysler's styling star can bring to the hitherto dull banquet of Chrysler design, then he should have been placed in charge long ago. It is absolutely gorgeous - check out those wheels - and to our eyes, at least, this is what the straked nonsense known as the Sebring should have been (or at least, what it could have looked like).

A range-extended four-passenger sedan, the car is about the size of a BMW 5-Series. A rear-wheel-driver powered by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that includes a "small gasoline engine" - Chrysler didn't say how small - aided by a lithium-ion batteries and an electric generator putting out 55kW (74 horsepower) of continuous power. The system's combined forces are good for 200 kW (268 hp) of peak power. The car can go 40 miles on electric power alone (a number that sounds rather familiar), and has an estimated range of up to 400 miles. The 200C is not a slowpoke, either, with a predicted 7-second blast to sixty, and a top speed north of 120.

Inside, the 200C Concept is crammed with enough tech to guide a starfleet. The interactive dashboard is infinitely changeable, internet enabled (via Chrysler's uConnect), and tied into security cameras and street cameras when you want to see how long the line is out front of the Delta Terminal at Detroit Metro. Even better, you can control everything from the integrated tablet PC in the glovebox or from an iPhone-like controller - even roll down the windows and check on the status of the car. And the technology leaf for the passenger also gets a huge shoutout. You can read all about it in the minutely thorough press releases after the jump, and the live presser video is also available. Also, check out the galleries of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Chrysler 200C Concept

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Chrysler 200C EV

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Chrysler 200C Concept, what the Sebring should have been [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Chrysler 200C Concept, what the Sebring should have been [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buying a New Car: The Purchase, The Review, The End

Well the journey is finally over, it’s been over one month since I started my hunt for a new car and it finally came to an end this weekend. It’s been a long harsh road filled with a host of automotive ups and downs. If you recall I started my search during the “Cash for Clunkers” program, but alas, it yielded nothing but annoying dealer confrontations. Then I tried the “certified used” route but this too was met with more aggravation due to inept dealers. I finally settled on a low mileage, privately owned vehicle that fit my needs and wants and honestly feel that it was the best way to go.

Continue reading after the jump!

First I identified my vehicle of choice – in this case I wanted a previously owned Dodge Magnum SRT-8. Then I began my search through all the obvious sales vessels, ebay, Craigslist and Autotrader. Then began the phone calls and questions, emails and photo’s. Now keep in mind that sometimes, private individuals can be no better than dealers, but for the most part private sellers seem to be a bit more forthcoming with information, plus you have more room to negotiate when price talk comes around. After checking out some 15 or so SRTs online and at private residences I finally found what I was looking for some 900 miles away in Atlanta, GA. A one owner, 24,000 mile car that is truly in showroom shape.

The deal was struck and I flew down to Atlanta last Saturday to pick up my new ride. While down south we figured why not use the time to put the new Magnum through its paces and see how it really performs as a daily driver. The Magnum, like the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 is based on an old Mercedes E-class platform and shares common components like the transmission, stability control and front & rear suspension. Immediately upon taking the wheel the Magnum you feel as though you are driving something solid. Road feel is good, but the steering is a bit on the light side for a performance based machine. Interior components are good, but not great and you can see where Chrysler saved a bit of money. The seats in the SRT Magnum however are FANTASTIC and as a big guy this is something I look for in a vehicle. Leg and head room are top notch as well.

The obvious reasons for getting any of the SRT models are the engine, brakes and suspension. Now, there are those of you who will argue that this is not a “real” HEMI, but quite honestly, who cares? At 425hp / 420lbs.tq. the 6.1L is a mill that churns out some pretty competent power, enough so that it moves the 4,200lb. Magnum to 60 mph in a scant 5.2 seconds and propels it to a top speed of over 165 mph, not bad for a big ole’ station wagon. The brakes are 4 pot Brembo’s that float on 14.2″ rotors up front and 13.8″ rotors in the rear – to put it mildly, this thing stops. I drove the Magnum about 1,600 miles last week and all the while thinking that I had made the right decision. Oh yea, I also got around 21 mpg cruising at 75 mph – not too bad considering what it is.

The ride and road handling manners are top notch. Pitch the big Magnum into a corner and it complies without resistance. Keep in mind though that this is a big machine, so if you get it loose you’ll need to work to get it back. Traction control is the ever present techo-nanny that keeps you from having too much fun, but if you are so inclined you can disable it enough so that you can do those big smokey burn outs to impress the neighbors. Granted the Magnum is no longer the latest and greatest, but it’s big, comfortable, goes like hell and still has a big fat warranty on it, which is a huge plus on any performance based machine. Now, is it a car that I will keep forever? Not sure yet and quite honestly that will depend on how it holds up under NYC driving. I would like to think so, but only time will tell. As for right now though, I think I’ll just sit back in those big comfy seats, put my foot down and enjoy one of the worlds fastest grocery getters.

Supercharged 2009 Dodge Challenger coming to SEMA

Mopar (short for Motor Parts in some weird way), Chrysler’s aftermarket automobile parts and service arm, is working on a supercharger for the 2009 Dodge Challenger. According to InsideLine,...

Report: GM, Chrysler Consider Bankruptcy For Federal Bailout Loan [Carpocalypse Now]

The CEOs of the not-so-Big Three made it to DC for committee hearings beginning today at 10:00 AM. According to Bloomberg's sources, GM and Chrysler execs are considering a pre-arranged bankruptcy (which we've already said is a good thing) as a last-resort of getting a multibillion-dollar government loan.

This flies directly in the face of GM CEO Rick Wagoner's past comments that a bankruptcy would mean liquidation because customers would refuse to buy cars from a company that might not be able to back warranties or supply parts. Our sources, whether from inside the General or from the outside, have given us similar arguments in the past.

That hasn't stopped staff for three members of Congress, who've asked restructuring experts if a pre-arranged bankruptcy — negotiated with workers, creditors and lenders — could be used to reorganize the industry without liquidation.

But it's not just the congressional committees at work here. According to another source, a representative of Obama’s team contacted at least one bankruptcy-law firm to say Daniel Tarullo, a professor at Georgetown University’s law school who heads Obama’s economic policy working group, would call to discuss the workings of a so-called prepack, according to this person.

But don't expect anything on this to come out of this week's hearings as we're also told

"Negotiations are splintered among small groups, making it unlikely a proposed solution such as bankruptcy would emerge until next week at the earliest..."

We'll obviously continue to be all over this story like a fat kid on cake. Stay tuned throughout the day to our "Carpocalypse Now" tag today as we bring you the latest news from D.C.

[Bloomberg]

Nice Price Or Crack Pipe: The $25,000 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z? [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

Yesterday, 68% of voters felt that $129,900 was too much to pay for a 4-year-old lemon-law-buyback Maybach 57, which is doing pretty well according to the harsh standards set by Nice Price Or Crack Pipe. Today we'll be considering a super-low-mileage, near-showroom-condition Dodge Daytona… but we're not talking about the kind of Daytona with the big wing and U-joint-bustin' V8. No, we mean the K-car-based Daytona Turbo Z, which is pretty much the concentrated essence of 1980s style. It's got lots of plastic body parts. It's got the word "Turbo" printed in multiple locations. It's got 142 factory horsepower, and this one's got just 2,021 miles on the clock! That's averages out at fewer than 85 miles per year! The seller has blatantly disregarded eBay car-seller tradition by using correct spelling, grammar, and capitalization, but he or she makes up for it by pointing out the "Star Power" of the car. Worth 25 grand? What do you think?

[eBay Motors], thanks to DodgePolara500 for the tip!

25 thousand bucks for a pristine low-mile Dodge Daytona Turbo Z?
( polls)

Jay Leno takes delivery of first 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

As May came to an end, Dodge shipped out the first 1,000 Dodge Challenger SRT8s to their rightful owners. The first 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 in the world was delivered today to Big Valley Chrysler...

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Actually Starts at $40,095...Is it Worth it?

Dodge released the starting price for the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 earlier this week. For $37,995 you could get your hands on one of the limited edition models. Well now it looks like that price was not entirely correct.

1971 Imperial Sets Sail For Europe, Joins Mercedes-Benz 600 Traveling Companion [Down On The Street Bonus Edition]

Last time we saw the '71 Imperial Le Baron that I was helping BobAsh get to the Czech Republic, it was parked down on the Alameda street. Now it's on a boat to Bremerhaven, along with an expat German heading back home after many decades in Nordamerika.

I was a little sad to see the Imperial go, but I love the idea of this monster dropping anchor on some quaint cobblestone Central European street as the locals back away in awe. The Oakland warehouse of the shipping company is so close to Alameda that I was able to walk home after dropping off the Le Baron; BobAsh will have the privilege of driving about 475 miles from the dock to his town in the Czech Republic. I'm envious!

The shipper's parking lot is usually full of interesting cars on the first leg of their journey to Europe; Porsches and air-cooled VWs are most common, along with 50s and 60s Detroit iron. The afternoon I dropped off the Imperial, however, the only other Germany-bound car in the lot was this battered-but-still-majestic Mercedes-Benz 600. No doubt the insanely complicated hydraulic system in this machine has been dead for years, but all that stuff can be ripped out of a rusted-out German 600 and swapped into this oxide-free California car.

Chrysler PT Cruiser: Distinctive Retro

Chrysler PT Cruiser: Distinctive Retro
Roam the streets with the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, one of the most unique vehicles on the road displaying a distinct design. Once you step inside, the PT Cruiser’s retro-inspired interior begin to resonate with its satin silver accents that highlight the instrument panel and center stack. For your convenience, Chrysler provides you with versatile storage area to load up almost everything you need plus its multi-position rear shelf can act like a table for a tailgate. As per the PT Cruiser’s engine, the 2.4-L was built for ambitious power and fuel efficiency. $18,700+.