Upcoming Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps

Updated 3/20/08 - New technologies for minivans, safety, and AWD

2009 and 2010 will be magical years for Chrysler in terms of excitement and new technologies. Coming on-line will be new Cummins engines for lighter duty trucks, revised mid-sized cars, the Phoenix engines, new safety and all wheel drive systems, the higher-power Hemi, a 6.4 liter SRT engine, and, if that were not enough, the automated manual transmissions.

Engines

Phoenix V6 engines

Engineered largely in the United States, the Phoenix V6 engines will replace all current Chrysler V6 engine lines starting in model year 2010 and finishing in model year 2014. The Phoenix engines will be made in several American plants. The Phoenix will have a modular base, easing adaption to cars and trucks at various price and power points. The engines will be built on flexible assembly lines that will allow the mix to be changed quickly and easily. They will be state of the art and might spawn four-cylinder and V8 versions. The Phoenix factory is getting closer to completion, as is the engine series itself, which is still being tuned and tested.

Hemi

Coming in 2009, upgrades including variable cam timing for better power (380 hp / 404 lb-ft) and gas mileage (5%). oh20 also said we can expect three 5.7 Hemis in 2009; the variable-cam edition will be around 380 hp in Rams, perhaps more in cars. A 6.4 liter Hemi is due in a 2009-2010 for SRT-4 models, replacing the current 6.1, and providing around 440-480 horsepower. See the Hemi page. (Though GM has had some histrionics regarding fuel mileage regs, the 6.4’s small volume would probably not affect fleet gas mileage enough to be noticeable.)

Others

Look for a new all wheel drive system in 2009 which disconnects the front wheel drive when it is not needed, so it has almost the same mileage as a standard rear wheel drive system.

A Rear Cross Path System will notify the driver of a car crossing their path when backing up.

Caliber, Compass, and Journey diesels are purchased from Volkswagen and have been modified for use by Chrysler. In Europe the Journey uses an automated manual transmission of unknown engineering origins.

Chery A1 cars will be exported as the Dodge Breeze to some developing markets.

Transmissions

You may be interested in our transmissions page.

Conventional automatics

A new, more efficient torque converter has been phased in for conventional automatics. Variable line pressure (VLP) means the internal fluid pressure is adjusted to increase gas mileage and reliability. Coming is the 68RLE for Ram pickup trucks with diesels and large gas engines; the high capacity addresses reliability. The 42RLE four-speed automatic continues because it's cheap.

Hybrid-electric automatic

General Motors, Chrysler, and BMW have developed a hybrid-electric system which should increase gas mileage by 15% (25% including cylinder-cutoff systems where equipped). It is an option in the 2008 Durango/Aspen, 2010 Ram, GM trucks, and Mercedes and BMW cars. It replaces the regular automatic transmission, but has two electric motors inside; one for low speeds, the other for high speeds. The transmission part appears to be a CVT. GM will build all the transmissions near Baltimore, according to an Autoweek report. (Another hybrid system is also in the works.) This is in the Durango and Aspen pages.

Automatically operated manual transmission (dual-clutch)

Chrysler will be producing this new automatically operated, dual-clutch manual transmission with Getrag. There appear to be two versions - a seven-speed, rear wheel drive version and a six-speed, front wheel drive version. The rear wheel drive version might have been meant for the Chassis Cabs and heavy duty trucks, based on its duty rating (and may not be produced). The front drive version has already been confirmed as being for minivans. Production is reportedly being limited for cost reasons, so the original ambitions for this transmission might not be realized.

Styling

In the immediate future, Chrysler is working to excise the cost-cutting excesses of the Daimler era. The Jeep Patriot, which holds the most promise for higher sales, is being done first, followed by the Caliber, Sebring, and Avenger. In the longer term, an interview at the Chrysler weblog revealed the following...

Exterior stylist Greg Howell said: “Exterior wise, you’ll see more emotional surfacing on our cars, as well as a lot more bright work like you see on the ecoVoyager. LED headlamps and LED tail lamps with a lot of light piping and technical elements will be the future of automobiles.”

Tyonek Stump said: “I think you’ll see a shift toward more embedded technology. The iPod has been a really big influence on automotive interiors. Think about an iPod or a Mac. It's supposed to be easy to understand. All the complexities are embedded. That's true with ecoVoyager. Overall, what you have in the interior is visually free of clutter yet packed with technology beneath the surface.”

Individual cars

Jeep Gladiator (Dakota)?

Carjunky reported that the Dakota chassis would be stretched and refinished to create a Jeep Gladiator by early 2008. The cab would be extended and have a rear hinged door on the passenger side, with the driver's side having a small two-foot-square rear door. The rear seats will be very tight, according to this report; the rear window would be powered, and the seat squab could be powered down and rear bulkhead stowed for another foot of cargo space. “Overall this is a truck that is going to sell well, it has the looks and the feel of a real Jeep and is a lot more practical for the town than a Hummer, but still will handle off-road as it should. The biggest plus with this vehicle is that hopefully it heralds a return to what a Jeep ought to look like.” We suspect this is speculation rather than real rumor.

The China Cars

There were to be three basic China cars. The C412 was a replacement for the Mercedes A-Class and B-Class, and was engineered by Chrysler and Mercedes - and Chrysler actually won some engineering fights. The first Mercedes version is due in 2008; the Chrysler version will be built in China, while the Mercedes will be built in Germany or East Europe. It is around 13-14 feet long and five feet wide, and Chrysler expects it to sell nearly as many copies as the Neon or PT Cruiser, starting in model-year 2009. As far as we can tell this is closer to being a Chrysler than a Chery, and American engineers are being recruited, so the start date has probably been pushed back.

The next car is a smaller vehicle, around 11 feet long and five feet wide, with for export sales only; this one is essentially a rebadged Chery, as far as we can tell, but it might have a custom "top hat" (the visible parts, inside and out). This one was to be introduced in 2009, as a 2010 model, to fill out the Chrysler product line. This plan seems to have been scrapped.

Finally, we have the infamous Hornet. We have no idea what the basis for this is, but based on the dimensions, it could either be a shortened version of the Chrysler/Mercedes C412, or an existing Chery platform; it’s to be sold as a niche car in the United States with a rather low projected volume (below even the original PT estimates).

At this point in the report we must say that all China plans seem to be up in the air.


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Dodge Demon

The Dodge Demon is a new small sports car concept. It could be based on the Chery, it could be based on the smart, it could based on the Hornet. Dodge has been getting a lot of press with it, so it might be the final version of Razor/Scooter concept and might see actual production. The production version may have gone to front wheel drive.

Production cars

Dodge Caliber, SRT-4;
Jeep Patriot, Compass

Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Compass, are being made; the SRT-4 has been announced. Caliber and Patriot will be made in China for China. Caliber seems popular, but the redesigned tenth-generation Toyota Corolla will bring a replacement for the Matrix (Corolla wagon) which may be stiff competition considering the new engines Toyota has been bringing out, and the World Engine’s apparent need to be revved high-and-noisy to make good power. (Toyota is now putting Camry engines into the Corolla and Matrix as an option.)

Dodge Avenger (Stratus), Chrysler Sebring

The Chrysler Sebring is out; so is the Avenger (Stratus). Europeans get manuals and a diesel along with the fours and six. An emergency team is working on fixing these vehicles to make them more desirable while another long-term team is working on their replacements — which will reportedly include more variants than the current two-sedans-and-a-crossover.

Dodge Challenger,
Imperial, Charger, SRT8,
300, and Magnum

We now have a full page on the Dodge Challenger and the Imperial (which we expect, but not with that name). We also have a page on the LY cars which are the LX’s successors, and notes on the mild 2008 refresh. The LY was to be used as the basis for three Mercedes classes: E, CLS, and R (starting in 2010-2012) and is rumored to be the basis for the current CLS. SRT-8s are now expected to eventually use a production version of the 392 (6.4) Hemi with about 470 hp. All future LX cars will use the new 380 horsepower version of the Hemi with variable valve timing - starting in 2009 or 2010.

Specialty cars

Dodge Viper /
Chrysler Firepower

The next generation - with a new body - is believed to have been cancelled completely with the current version going on through 2010, when its factory is shut down. The Firepower (a Hemi-powered, Viper-chassis Chrysler) appears to be a goner. Outsourcing production was discussed but apparently won’t happen.

Trucks and SUVs

Dodge Ram

The 1500 and the 2500/3500 are revised separately; the 2500/3500 will not get a coil-spring suspension. Full 2009 Dodge Ram information with 380 hp engine.

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 surprisingly good fight in Class 3. 2008 and 2009 changes are described in those trucks’ individual pages — the 3500 will go up to 380 hp.

Giving Dodge serious competition is Toyota’s new 2007 Tundra, with a 380 horsepower V8; 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.

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. Jeep’s new plant is expected to produce 150,000 Wranglers and (eventually) Scramblers, while it only produced 98,500 Wranglers last year. For details: Two door Wrangler - Four door Wrangler (Unlimited) - Scrambler pickup. The Scambler appears to be out until at least 2008, but the limited production AEV Brute may be increased in number and cut in cost thanks to Jeep involvement.

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.

Grand Cherokee
Jeep Commander

The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee is here. The 4.7 got a huge power boost to 302 hp, the diesel is here, and there are numerous feature boosts, with minor interior and exterior tweaks. Rumors say the Commander will be deleted in a few years, but the Grand Cherokee platform will be used for the next generation Durango, in both standard and stretched versions - so the name Commander will be dropped, but the basic idea of a seven-passenger Grand Cherokee will live on.

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. Liberty sales were high, beating the Ford Escape to be the best-selling compact SUV in America for 2005. Toledo North, a four year old plant, is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles per year (225,250 Libertys were sold last year). Diesel Libertys may or may not return. We now have details and photos of the 2008 Jeep Liberty.

Dodge Dakota, Durango, Aspen

The Dakota will be resurrected as a lifestyle vehicle - that is, a smaller, lighter pickup, more in tune with customer need. Expect to see a coil suspension. For details, see: Durango - Chrysler Aspen - Dakota ... Automotive News says a 4.2 liter Cummins V6 is due for 2010 in the Durango (and maybe the Dakota), with 190 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Gas mileage is likely to be about 20 city, 25 highway, far better than the Durango's 4.7 V8 (14/18), with similar acceleration. The next generation (2010 or so) Durango is set to move to the Grand Cherokee platform, with the Aspen likely to be dropped. The Durango itself may also be dropped — it’s hard to predict. The Newark factory that makes the Durango and Aspen is sure to close.

Minivans, Vans, and Crossovers

Caravan, Town & Country

2008 models. Coming up soon, a segment-first Blind Spot Monitoring system; a Rear Cross Path System that notifies the driver of a car crossing his or her path when backing up; revisions to the Dodge Caravan to differentiate it from the Chrysler Town & Country; and the ability to use Wi-Fi devices within the minivan.

Dodge Journey, JC49

The Dodge Journey debuted is to be part of Chrysler’s serious entry into Europe. The JZ49 is up for grabs in terms of rumors but we doubt it will see the light of day. The Journey has gotten good reviews so far. See our full Dodge Journey crossover story. We were wrong on the intro date for this one - and its engines.

Chrysler PT Cruiser

The PT might be discontinued in calendar year 2008 or 2009 as the Journey takes off (they share an assembly line). The convertible and GT are already gone. Click here for a site discussing PT Cruisers.

Sprinter

The Mercedes van, assembled from knockdown kits in South Carolina, were redesigned for 2007. Get Sprinter information here. We expect Dodge to keep selling Sprinters.

“Old news” that still lingers

Dodge Razor,
Dodge Scooter, and
Sling Shot

Click here for details on the Dodge Razor, a $14,500 0-60-in-six-seconds car engineered by Chrysler using the 2.4 turbo. The Dodge Scooter was a small, low-slung vehicle shown briefly in late 2005. The smart-based Sling Shot is dead as is the car it would be based on. At this point it does not appear that the Razor, Scooter, or Sling Shot will be made, but that they were interim steps to Demon and Hornet. Don’t expect that price to stick - $17,000 is more likely now.

Chrysler ME-412

The world-class supercar designed in record time and with small investment would be the fastest in the world, using an AMG V12 (based on a Mercedes V12) with multiple turbos. It was engineered by Chrysler with American suppliers (aside from the engine). Can it to be built now that Cerberus is taking over? It wouldn't take much time or investment since it’s almost all handled by outside suppliers, but will AMG supply the engines? Details.