The Chrysler-Dodge 2011 LX - LY Cars: Charger, 300, and Challenger

chrysler 300C

2011 Chrysler 300C • 2011 Dodge Challenger • 2011 Dodge Charger

2010 Dodge Charger

While the LX was heavily influenced by Mercedes' E-Class design, Chrysler had more latitude in building the LY. That means:

Far better interiors
Lower build costs
Higher gas mileage
A lighter feel

New versions of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger will appear in late 2010, made exclusively in Brampton, including models for sale in Europe. The revised Challenger may or may not lag the others. There has been no hint of a luxury version yet, but (speculation) it is possible that the 300 will be on a longer wheelbase than the Charger.

Codes are:

LX: for Chrysler 300
LC: for Dodge Challenger
LD: for 2011 Dodge Charger
LE: for European cars
L1: for Chinese cars

Compared with original LX series, the second generation, previously tagged as LY, will be:

More aerodynamic. Less boxy. Not back to cab forward, but enough to improve noise and fuel economy. (Styling now reports to Engineering’s Frank Klegon)
More fuel efficient.
- Modified axle ratios
- Pentastar engine — the 3.6 liter provides 290 hp with better mileage than the current 250 hp 3.5 liter — more quietly than the Toyota V6
- More gears in the transmission (an eight-speed for SRT, seven, eventually, for the rest).
Better interiors. To set the standard for the rest of the brands in the divisions.
Comfort features. New entertainment systems and driver comfort options.
Improve on all-around performance.

SRT-8s have a new 392 (6.4) Hemi with about 450-485 hp and MDS for better gas mileage.

The LY was to be used as the basis for three Mercedes classes: E, CLS, and R (starting in 2011-2012). We don’t know that status of that deal.

The Challenger convertible is on indefinite hold. The Imperial seems to be dead for the moment.

“Dodgeguy1961” reported the following engine list for the LY series. The diesel may or may not be sold in North America.

3.0 liter Phoenix V6 (possibly for export)
3.0 liter Mercedes turbodiesel V6 — same as current version
3.6 liter Phoenix V6 — around 290 hp
5.7 liter Hemi MDS/VCT — we’d guess around 350-380 hp
6.4 liter Hemi (SRT) — we’d guess around 440-490 hp

We'd expect the diesel to have a Mercedes five-speed automatic, as it will in the Grand Cherokee; all will reportedly start out with the same five-speed automatics as last time, bumping up to seven-speed versions of the same transmission later, with the SRT8 moving up to a customized eight-speed.