Upcoming Chryslers, Dodges, Rams, 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 were designed to support direct injection and turbocharging. The 3.6 pumps out at least 280 horsepower without direct injection, in its first iteration, without MultiAir (which might 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.” Around 440,000 Pentastar engines are to be made each year, to be hooked up to the 62TE and WA580 automatics (the six-speed Chrysler and five-speed Mercedes automatics), and to Fiat's dual-clutch automatic.

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.

Chrysler will build Fiat's 1.4 liter engine starting in 2010. The engine produces 100 hp at 6,750 rpm and 95 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm; a turbocharged version produces 170 hp @ 6,750 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The 2.4 liter World Engine has been upgraded to an estimated 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and an estimated 175 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Chrysler says that the MultiAir system improves low end torque and cuts gas mileage.

MultiAir

MultiAir is a variable valve timing and lift technology which allows for separate timing and lift for each cylinder. It uses electrohydraulic controls (solenoids and oil) to adjust valve timing and air volume for each individual cylinder (normally, valve timing and air volume is set for all cylinders together).The system will be used on all Chrysler four cylinder gasoline engines, and possibly diesels and the V6 line (depending on whether the benefits outweigh the extra cost over Chrysler's sophisticated variable cam timing system).

Diesels

The current straight-six Cummins diesel appears to be safe for future Rams; no word on smaller diesels for the Ram 1500. Fiat works with Cummins on diesel projects. The 2.8-liter VM diesel still has a future in export Jeeps.

Fiat diesels will power some Chrysler vehicles, with the two-liter Fiat diesel projected to be hooked up to the six-speed Chrysler automatic transmission. 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.

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; this might take a few years. The four speed will be dropped and the six speed improved and used more. An eight speed rear wheel drive automatic might be planned, along with Fiat's dual-clutch front-wheel-drive automatic. Chrysler also appears to be working on or licensing a seven-speed variant of the W5A580, which would require less engineering, capital, and training to replace the existing automatics. Transmissions

Avenger, Sebring

The Avenger/Sebring are being refreshed to address their flaws, with new interiors, refreshed exteriors, and the Phoenix V6 coupled to a six-speed automatic and the World Engine going up to 190 hp with better low-speed torque; extensively reworked versions will be in showrooms by the end of 2010. They will be scrapped around 2012 in favor of new cars engineered by Chrysler using modified Fiat platforms, with the width stretched by 1.6 inches.

Midsized (D) cars for all of Fiat are to be handed off to Chrysler; Fiat will, according to Automotive News, cover cars up to the Bravo (around the size of a Volkswagen Golf). Automotive News’ Luca Ciferri and Bradford Wernle wrote, “In July [2009], Fiat handed over to Chrysler the C-Evo platform with European specifications to serve as the underpinnings of a new group of vehicles.” The major dimensions will be Fiat, the rest Chrysler. The cars’ platform (set of key dimensions) is also to be used for the Liberty and at least one crossover.

Sergio Marchionne said: “The only thing we’re delivering to Chrysler is the basic platform. Everything from that point on, once we deliver it, is up to Chrysler.”

Dodge Challenger, 200C, Imperial, Charger, 300C

The Challenger will be redesigned for 2011 and continue through 2014. The stunning Chrysler 200C had been approved, to be built on the LX line, and might still make it, possibly under a different name — but as a gas car, not an electric. 

Imperial was set for 2015 when last seen and might still be in the cards; the name is uncertain. The 2011 Dodge Charger is expected to bring back more of the classic look from the famous 1968 Chargers, one of the most stylish vehicles ever built; it was changed since the last (private) appearance.

The 2011 Chrysler 300C is similar but with far better aerodynamics, minor line changes, and a new grille. Fiat Group-branded cars based on these will be built at the same plant. A new joint-venture eight speed automatic is being experimented with.

Magnum might return for 2011 unless the name is moving to the Grand Cherokee spinoff. The basic car is still being made for Europe as the 300C Touring.

Dodge Viper /
Chrysler Firepower

Dodge is keeping the Viper through to 2010. The Firepower (a Hemi-powered, Viper-chassis Chrysler) is a goner. A 2012-2013 Viper redesign is possible and perhaps even likely. Ralph Gilles said it would use expertise and materials and technology (but not parts) from Ferrari to lighten the weight, with a V-10 engine — definitely not a V8.

Nissan and China cars

Dodge's restyled Versa sold in South America this will be dropped when the contract expires. The Fiat 500 (four body styles) will be made in North America (possibly Mexico) and sold in the U.S. export markets in 2011 or so, as Fiats. The China-cars appear to be dead. Nobody seems to mind.

Trucks and SUVs

Ram pickup trucks

The 2010 Ram 2500/3500 have been introduced. oh20 wrote: “Dodge is currently working on a plan that would make the Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs available to all Dodge dealers” (not just those certified for fleet sales). The improvements to the diesel Rams come in time; 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 by which time gas prices might rise to the point where people would be interested. New Class 4 and Class 5 Ram chassis cabs start production in April 2010 as 2011 models. Cummins engines are in the plan. Commercial heavy-duty trucks (e.g. tractors) appear to be in the works; no word on whether those would be like the chassis cabs, that is "mainly Dodge," or restyled Ivecos.

Jeep Wrangler,
Jeep Scrambler (Jeep JT)

“Numerous” changes to “directly address” customer feedback, particularly that of off-roaders. Jeep Wrangler has been put forward as Jeep's halo car, and Jeep will be working hard to make it clearly superior to Toyota, Hummer, and Mahindra challengers. The 2011 Wrangler is due in the second or third quarter of 2010, and either the 2011 or 2012 will have a standard Pentastar V6 with a VM Motori diesel available offshore but not in the United States. The Scrambler pickup concept appears to be out of the picture. Jeep Wrangler - Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Scrambler pickup.

Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander

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

The Jeep Commander will continue as an offshore-only model, using the 2006-2010 model year tooling and production facilities in another country. Sergio Marchionne said in December 2009 that it could not be built on the same line as the 2011 Grand Cherokee (which will be accompanied by a Durango replacement), and would instead be built elsewhere, and sold in countries such as (but not definitely) China and Russia. (See Dodge Durango in this section.)

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 Jeep Liberty will be replaced by a vehicle using the same key dimensions as new C and D class (midsized) cars in 2013 or so; the rationale being to make manufacturing more flexible, so that as Jeep and car orders fluctuate, the same factory can vary its output rather than have one plant idle while another works overtime. (Thus, if Toledo builds the Liberty, it can also build the Avenger/Sebring or Compass/Caliber replacements.)

Sergio Marchionne said: “The only thing we’re delivering to Chrysler is the basic platform. Everything from that point on, once we deliver it, is up to Chrysler.”

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 replaced in 2012.

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, probably renamed, and possibly extended-wheelbase version of the 2011 Grand Cherokee. Durango, whatever its name, will be WD (2011 1/2) and Grand Cherokee, WK. Launch expected for late 2010. Chrysler has been backing off of using the Durango name and some rumors have it called Magnum.

It appears the Magnum-Durango roofline will go up as it goes back, while the Grand Cherokee roofline goes down, giving the Durango-Magnum more cargo space. 2012 Dodge Durango details.

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 2014 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. Completely redesigned Caravan due in 2014. For 2011, expect “significant intervention” especially on the interior, responding to customer requests and complaints, with better comfort and efficiency.

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. The small one would be the Fiat Doblo; the large one would be Chrysler engineered but based on either a large Fiat van or an Iveco van. See Fiat commercial vans.