Upcoming Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps

Electric cars

Electric cars are nothing new to Chrysler; indeed, even without ENVI and GEM, the company could have dusted off the blueprints for the practical, long-lived, pure-electric-powered early-1990s TEVan and EPIC minivans (some of which are still being driven). The company showed off (9/23/08) several electric prospects, including a Tesla-like Lotus Elise-based sports car capable of SRT acceleration, an electric Jeep, and an electric minivan, as well as the possibility of dumping the fuel cell from one of the “advanced power” concepts already shown.

Engines and transmissions

Phoenix V6 engines

Engineered largely in the United States, the Phoenix V6 engines will start coming in with the 2010 model year, eventually replacing all currenet V6s. The Phoenix engines have a modular base, making different sizes and applications easier. Flexible assembly lines will allow the mix to be changed quickly. They might spawn four-cylinders and/or V8s. The Phoenix engines are scheduled to start pilot production in summer 2009, with for-real-vehicles production starting to appear at the end of 2009. It is possible that all Phoenix engines will have direct injection. The 3.6 should pump out over 280 horsepower. Engine program is “100% on target.”

World Engine, direct injection, turbocharging

According to Automotive News, Chrysler is set to start using smaller four-cylinder engines assisted by turbochargers to raise gas mileage; they are also expected to use direct injection on their four cylinders. Chrysler might make GM Ecotec-based four-cylinders replacing the World Engine; GM’s fours have been praised by insiders. Or they might use boost the World Engine. Most likely now is the 1.8 liter Nissan engine.

Diesels

The diesel Grand Cherokees - which outsell gas GCs in Canada - will get a 4.2 liter Cummins V6 built in a new factory 2010, with the next generation (190 hp, over 400 lb-ft). This and a 5.0-liter Cummins V8 diesel will be used in Dodge Ram pickups as well. Chrysler was allegedly looking at the possibility of diesel Chargers or 300s for the US. The 4.2 liter Cummins V6 is said to have 190 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Gas mileage with this engine in the Grand Cherokee is likely to be about 20 city, 25 highway, far better than the 4.7 V8 (14/18), with similar acceleration.

Hybrids, electrics

A Ram 1500 hybrid is slated for calendar year 2009 (model year 2010). Like the Durango and Aspen hybrids, it will use an automatic transmission with motors, developed with GM and BMW, called the Two Mode Hybrid. This can use electric power alone up to around 25 mph; gas mileage rises about 25% overall, with over 20 mpg in the city for the big vehicles. Chrysler is also looking into mild hybrids that recapture energy from the brakes and shut off the engine when the car is stopped with seamless restarts; and pure electric cars (possibly with gas-or-diesel-generator range extenders) are now a “definite” in the sales plan.

Automatically operated manual transmission (dual-clutch)

Chrysler will, hopefully, be producing this new automatically operated, dual-clutch manual transmission even though the relationship with Getrag is apparently over. There were at least two versions - a seven-speed, rear wheel drive version and a six-speed, front wheel drive version. The front drive version was announced as being for minivans but Journey already has it, in Europe.

Normal automatics

The expensive five-speed Mercedes automatic transmissions will continue to be made into 2010; no word on what will be used in the LD/LY, the next generation rear wheel drive cars which are still being developed. 11/13/08: “Jim Press stated that the 4 speed is not long for this world and Chrysler is working with 3 suppliers at the moment for supplying new transmissions.” Transmissions page.

Dodge Avenger (Stratus), Chrysler Sebring

A team (“Project D”) is working on replacements for these much maligned cars; this will include more variants than the current two-sedans-and-a-crossover. Rumors abound that the Avenger will be dropped and the Sebring moved into Belvidere so Sterling Heights can be sold to Nissan or shut down. These are probably just rumors for the moment, at least, though contingency plans no doubt have been worked out. Replacing these cars is a very high priority for Chrysler, which will probably use a partner’s platform and possibly much of their architecture; Renault, Nissan, and Fiat are prime candidates.

Dodge Challenger, Imperial, Charger, SRT8, 300

The Imperial seems to be dead until the LY cars replace the LX. The next generation Charger is expected to merge the styling of the current version with a more classic look from the famous 1968 Chargers, one of the most stylish vehicles ever built. Ralph Gilles also is reportedly keeping the 300 fairly blocky and similar to the current version. Expect aerodynamic concerns to be of primary importance. The Hemi is to continue. Further gearing and transmission changes will raise gas mileage further, and more appropriate automatics are being investigated. The Challenger convertible is on indefinite hold.

Dodge Viper /
Chrysler Firepower

Dodge is shopping the Viper to a new owner which will build and market the car when its Dodge life ends. The Firepower (a Hemi-powered, Viper-chassis Chrysler) appears to be a goner.

New small cars and China cars

Key update: “the B-car product design is completed and locked in, tooling has begun.” The last pronouncement had Nissan building a small Dodge based on the Renault Clio/Nissan Cube, in Japan, "based on a unique Chrysler concept and design." The term "design" usually means the appearance of a vehicle rather than its engineering; likewise, "platform" is technically a series of “hard points” so that two cars on the same platform could conceivably share no parts.

Dodge is selling a restyled Versa in South America to replace the Hyundai-made Dodge Atoz. We’re not sure what happened to the small car based on the Fiat 500.

Chrysler has deals with Nissan (building their pickups), Volkswagen (Routan minivan), Mercedes (sharing the Grand Cherokee), and has had a prolonged bargaining period with Fiat (which now owns the Tritec engine factory). They also have small engines, albeit outdated ones, developed with BMW and Rover.

11/13/08: “Because of the onslaught of requests by the CAB to bring back the Neon, Jim Press drove one that someone provided him. He was very impressed. He wants to bring back a Neon sized sedan. There is no money in the kitty for such a project.”

Trucks and SUVs

Dodge Ram

The 1500 and the 2500/3500 are revised separately; the 2500/3500 will not get a coil-spring suspension, and will get its own unique styling on the outside (though it will share interiors). 2009 Dodge Ram. The manual transmission has been dropped for the 1500 model.

Dodge has a chassis cab also sold as the Sterling Bullet. For more details: 3500 medium-duty | 4500 and 5500 heavy-duty. The 3500 series is now #1 in its class (July-December 2007) and is expected to remain a strong contender for several years. The Class 4/5 4500 and 5500 series are expected to beat the Ford and GM trucks in those classes, though both Ford and GM have put up a good fight in Class 3. Expect the next generation, in 2010, to have new two-part mirrors (again, and styling separate from the Ram 1500.) Continuity is very important for buyers in this class, and Dodge will probably be trying to keep as much as possible from the first generation.

Toyota’s 2007 Tundra has been serious competition; Toyota bought a chunk of Isuzu, and a diesel engine similar to the Duramax is likely for Toyota pickups. A one-ton Tundra is planned and may actually be accelerated to use factory capacity. One of the two Tundra factories has been closed and the other is going to export Tundras, further cutting into the domestics’ turf.

Ford is selling an aftermarket-converted F-150 with a liquid propane option package and Dodge is looking at doing the same.

oh20 wrote: “Dodge is currently working on a plan that would make the 4500 and 5500 models available to all Dodge dealers, details will be announced within a couple of weeks.”

Jeep Wrangler,
Jeep Scrambler (Jeep JT)

A concept pickup, called the Scrambler, was closely based on the Wrangler; later, the Jeep JT, essentially the same thing, was created. For details: Two door Wrangler - Four door Wrangler (Unlimited) - Scrambler pickup. The Scambler appears to be out of the picture for the moment (though it would be handy around now to keep the assembly line humming), but the limited production AEV Brute may be increased in number and cut in cost thanks to Jeep involvement. Update: the Scrambler appears to have been completely dropped; the Wrangler will get the new Phoenix engine but not a four cylinder.

Jeep Rescue

The Dodge Ram-based Jeep could make a mockery of the H2 (which weighs 6,400 pounds, does 0-60 in about 10 seconds, and gets about 10 mpg...about the same as the Ram Mega Cab). Related are Chrysler's so-far-unsuccessful efforts to get a military contract for the Humvee replacement. However, there doesn't seem to have been any action lately, and the Rescue may have been scrapped along with dreams of fat military contracts... and the Hummer H1.

Grand Cherokee
Jeep Commander

Rumors say the Commander will be deleted, but the Grand Cherokee platform (still called WK) will be used for the next generation Durango (possibly the Aspen as well), in both standard and stretched versions - so the name Commander may be dropped, but the idea of a seven-passenger Grand Cherokee could live on as the Durango. For the 2011 Grand Cherokee, we’d hoped to see a 4.2 liter Cummins V6 with 190 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque with around 20 city, 25 highway, but we’ve been told to expect the same Mercedes 3-liter V6 diesel, with other engines being the 3.6 liter Phoenix engine and the 5.7 Hemi. The new 3.6 should outrun the original 4.7 V8. Details!

Jeep Liberty
Dodge Nitro

The Dodge Nitro goes on-road path and the Liberty stays off-road. The Nitro is based on the Jeep Liberty, and is built on the same line; but it is not expected to last past this generation. The Liberty will not be getting the 4.0 V6, it doesn’t fit. Wait for the Phoenix!

Patriot and Compass

No diesels for the Patriot and Compass. U.S. emissions requirements are tough to get around and Americans aren’t willing to pay the price premium (so far.) Nicely redone interiors and a bit more sound insualtion make these cars much more attractive, though the back seats remain el cheapo.

Dodge Dakota

The Dakota will reportedly be resurrected as a smaller, lighter pickup with coil suspension. Dakota details.

Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen

The Durango, at least, will be a reskinned, retuned, possibly extended-wheelbase next-generation Grand Cherokee starting around 2011. The old, truck-based Durango’s factory in Newark, Delaware closes before 2009. The Aspen is reportedly under consideration. 2011 Grand Cherokee/Dodge Durango details. Duranog will be WD (2011 1/2) and Grand Cherokee, WK.

Minivans, Vans, and Crossovers

Caravan, Town & Country

2009 models. New: Blind Spot Monitoring system; a Rear Cross Path System that notifies the driver of a car crossing his or her path when backing up; and the ability to use Wi-Fi devices within the minivan. For 2010 or 2011: Phoenix 3.6 liter V6 (over 280 horsepower), active head restraints, and more. Hopefully they’ll update the styling, spiff up the Dodge interior, and retune suspensions to differentiate the twins.

Dodge Journey, JC49

The Dodge Journey debuted is to be part of Chrysler’s serious entry into Europe. We wrote “The JZ49 is up for grabs in terms of rumors but we doubt it will see the light of day” and it is indeed dead. The Journey has gotten good reviews so far but sales are slow and the European invasion will probably not be noticed by Europeans or sales-chart readers.

Chrysler PT Cruiser

The PT will probably be discontinued in calendar year 2009 because management wants to simplify production and reduce inventories, though it does help keep the Toluca plant running. Unfortunately, given its unique electrical architecture and engine, the PT shares few parts with other Chrysler vehicles; otherwise the company could slap in the old seats, change the instrument panel back to the original layout, put on the original lower front fascia, put in a lightly turbocharged World Engine, and call it the third generation. Click here for a site discussing PT Cruisers.

Sprinter

The Mercedes van, assembled from knockdown kits in South Carolina, could last a while if it was part of the terms of the sale to Cerberus; or they could stop selling Sprinters in favor of Renault-Nissan’s commercial vans.