Upcoming Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps

Pentastar V6 engines (Phoenix)

Engineered in the United States, the Pentastar V6 engines (née Phoenix) start in mid-2010 with the Grand Cherokee and will be quickly spread to replace the current V6 families. The engines have a modular base, making different sizes and applications easier. The Pentastar engines, hastily renamed from “Phoenix” due to a trademark issue, was designed to support direct injection and numerous other high-tech features. The 3.6 will pump out 280 horsepower without direct injection. They will be used by Fiat. MultiAir will be added. Look for the turbo and twin turbo versions, the 3-liter, and possibly a 3.3. The twin turbo might be used on Maseratis, which would give Chrysler a definite boost in “street cred.”

Other gas engines

Fiat’s MultiAir and direct injection will be added to the World Engines, which will be reworked and continued. Turbocharging is planned for the 2.0 and 2.4 after being dropped under Cerberus. The 4.7 liter V8 will be dropped; the 6.1 liter Hemi will, as planned, be replaced by a more economical 6.4 liter Hemi with cylinder deactivation and MultiAir. The Fiat 1.4 liter engine, standard and turbocharged, will also be available for 100-150 hp applications.

Diesels

Fiat diesels will power some Chrysler vehicles, the first being the Jeep Wrangler in 2010. The fate of plans for a 4.2 liter Cummins V6 (190 hp, over 400 lb-ft) and a 5.0-liter Cummins V8 diesel are unknown, especially given that Fiat makes its own diesels; the current straight-six Cummins diesel appears to be safe for future Rams. Fiat works with Cummins on diesel projects.

Hybrid cars, electric cars

A Ram 1500 hybrid is still on its way, to be followed by a hybrid minivan which we suspect will not use the GM-BMW system. Like the Durango and Aspen hybrids, the Ram will use an automatic transmission with motors, called the Two Mode Hybrid. In addition, for other vehicles, Fiat will eventually supply its start-stop system that shuts off the engine when the car is stopped with seamless restarts. Chrysler will be Fiat’s headquarters for electric and hybrid car development, with an electric commercial vehicle expected for 2011 (based on a Fiat van). A V6 Charger squad car has been photographed with dual tailpipes and a Hybrid chrome plate, but that could be a joke. ENVI has been dropped and the electric and hybrid efforts are being spread through the normal engineering processes.

Automatically operated manual transmission (dual-clutch)

Chrysler will be using Fiat’s automatically operated, dual-clutch manual transmission. There were two Chrysler versions — a seven-speed, rear wheel drive version and a six-speed, front wheel drive version — these may be integrated into the Fiat designs or dropped.

Normal automatics

The expensive five-speed Mercedes automatic transmissions will, based on veiled comments during the Five Year Plan presentation, be dropped as soon as Fiat can find a supplier to replace them. The four speed will be dropped and the six speed improved and used more. Transmissions.

Avenger, Sebring

The Avenger/Sebring are in the plan through 2012; both will be regenerated to address their flaws, with new interiors, refreshed exteriors, and new powertrains. They will then be scrapped in favor of Fiat midsize designs. After that, the picture is unclear. There might be shared engineering for future midsized cars — it has not been announced.

Dodge Challenger, 200C, Imperial, Charger, 300

The Challenger will be redesigned for 2011 and continue through 2014. The stunning Chrysler 200C was approved, to be built on the LX line, but Fiat might have cancelled it; no mention was made in the presentation. Imperial was set for 2015 when last seen. The 2011 Dodge Charger is expected to bring back a little more of the classic look from the famous 1968 Chargers, one of the most stylish vehicles ever built. Ralph Gilles is keeping the 2011 Chrysler 300 similar but with greatly improved aerodynamics. The Hemi is to continue. An Alfa Romeo and possibly a Lancia will be built on the same platform, at the same plant; the 200C may have to be sacrificed for the new Italian-branded cars, but perhaps the flex manufacturing capabilities can be boosted to allow all of them. Charger we know will remain Hemi powered with Pentastar V6 power as well; a twin turbo V6 is planned but might or might not be for Charger. See engines, transmissions sections.

Dodge Viper /
Chrysler Firepower

Dodge is apparently keeping the Viper after all, at least for a few years, but the Firepower (a Hemi-powered, Viper-chassis Chrysler) appears to be a goner. A 2012-2013 Viper redesign is possible.

Nissan and China cars

Dodge is selling a restyled Versa in South America; this will be dropped when the Nissan contract expires. The Fiat 500 group of vehicles (four body styles) will be made in North America and sold in the U.S. in 2011 or so, as Fiats. The China-cars appear to be dead. Nobody seems to mind.

Trucks and SUVs

Dodge Ram

Ram is now its own brand so “Dodge Ram” is the wrong term to use. The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 have been introduced. oh20 wrote: “Dodge is currently working on a plan that would make the 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs available to all Dodge dealers” (not just those certified for fleet sales). The improvements to the diesel Rams come just in time as Toyota is planning a one-ton, HD Toyota Tundra with an Isuzu-based engine (as we predicted). The hybrid Ram has been pushed back to fourth-quarter 2010. New Class 4 and Class 5 chassis cabs will start production in April 2010 as 2011 models. Cummins engines appear to be in the plan. Heavy duty Rams may be in the works.

Jeep Wrangler,
Jeep Scrambler (Jeep JT)

The 2011 Wrangler is due in the second or third quarter of 2010, and will have a standard Pentastar V6 with an optional Fiat diesel. The Scrambler pickup concept appears to be out of the picture; the AEV Brute may be increased in number and cut in cost thanks to Jeep involvement. Details: Two door Wrangler - Four door Wrangler (Unlimited) - Scrambler pickup.

Grand Cherokee
Jeep Commander

The Grand Cherokee platform (WK) will be used for the next Durango, in standard and stretched versions; it appears the Durango roofline will go up as it goes back, while the Grand Cherokee roofline goes down, giving Durango more cargo space. For the 2011 Grand Cherokee, we’ve been told to expect the same Mercedes 3-liter V6 diesel (the V6 Cummins appears to be gone), with the 3.6 liter Phoenix engine and the 5.7 Hemi. The new 3.6 should outrun the original 4.7 V8 and the gas V6 gets better mileage than the Mercedes diesel. There might be a Fiat diesel instead of the Mercedes unit. 2011 Grand Cherokee details Commander is to be considered for the future.

Jeep Liberty
Dodge Nitro

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 itself will be replaced by a Fiat platform in 2013.

Patriot and Compass

Nicely redone interiors and a bit more sound insulation make these cars much more attractive and favorable Patriot reviews have started to flow. Sales have not followed, though. To be dropped in 2012 and replaced by a single Fiat-based vehicle.

Dodge Dakota

The Dakota might be resurrected as a smaller, lighter pickup with a coil suspension. It will, if made, as we reported in 2007, become more of a “lifestyle vehicle.” Which might simply mean that its capabilities will be brought back to what they were when the 1987 Dodge Dakota was first launched. Dakota may or may not make it.

Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen

The Durango will be a reskinned, retuned, possibly extended-wheelbase version of the 2011 Grand Cherokee; the truck-based Durango’s factory in Newark, Delaware closed in 2008. 2012 Dodge Durango details. Durango will be WD (2011 1/2) and Grand Cherokee, WK. Launch expected for late 2010. See what we believe to be Dodge Durango spy shots.

Minivans, Vans, and Crossovers

Caravan, Town & Country

2009 models. For 2011 or 2012 models: Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 (280 horsepower), active head restraints, and more. Motor Trend claims that the next minivans will once again have different wheelbases, with the smaller one also having a narrower track, for better sales in Europe under a Fiat label. The larger one would probably be the Chrysler. They would share most components. Redesigned Caravan due in 2014.

Dodge Journey, JC49

The Dodge Journey was to be part of Chrysler’s serious entry into Europe; it wasn’t even noticed by Eurobuyers. The Chrysler version is dead. The Journey has gotten good reviews and sales are better than most competitors. Journey is doing very well in Canada where it has been the #1 crossover in some months. To be restyled inside and out — complete interior redesign, mild exterior refresh, new engine.

Chrysler PT Cruiser

The PT has gotten a reprieve and is to be refreshed for 2011 or 2012; Fiat seems to respect it much more than Chrysler had. PT Cruisers.

Sprinter / Ram vans

The Mercedes vans, built in Germany and assembled from knockdown kits in South Carolina, will be dropped in favor of Fiat’s commercial vans — both their large and small ones. Patrick McNamara wrote, “The Sprinter [replacement might be] the Ducato. I wouldn't bet my reputation on this. The Iveco Daily is rear drive and has a broad range of GVW options. It could be either one. The 2000 Dodge Maxx concept was a crew cab pickup with (I believe) FWD and a 4.7 V8. Back then Chrysler engineers did shoehorn a few of these into the minivan chassis. That styling on the Ducato platform would be awesome.” The small one would be the Fiat Doblo. See Fiat commercial vans.