November 6th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
By 2014, Chrysler could have a V6 engine pushing out over 400 horsepower, according to charts in the five year plan. A three-liter version of the Pentastar V6 with dual turbochargers is charted out in the plan at around 425 horsepower, the same as the old 426 Hemi V8 and similar to the current 6.1 liter Hemi V8. While the 6.4 liter Hemi V8 would push out more horsepower, the V6 would, even with a single turbocharger, match the 5.7 liter Hemi V8. Torque has not been discussed.
The Pentastar V6 was designed to have variable cam timing and direct injection. It will debut (without direct injection) on the Jeep Grand Cherokee around May 2010. The higher-horsepower varieties discussed in the plan would include MultiAir and would be released by or in 2014. Before then, the Pentastar would have replaced all other Chrysler V6 engines.
A turbocharged version of the World Engine with direct injection also appears on the chart putting out around 300 horsepower, more than the standard 3.3 or 3.6 liter Pentastar V6. Fiat’s 1.4 liter engines were shown at a respectable 150 horsepower with turbocharging, 100 hp without. Chrysler has already sold a turbocharged version of the World Engine, in the Caliber SRT4.
November 6th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
The five year plan calls for a complete repackaging of all Dodge cars, with new options mixes, by the end of the fourth quarter of 2009. A complete overhaul of branding, marketing, positioning, and point of sale is to be completed by the end second quarter of 2010.
The car and truck brands are being separated to “amplify the youthfulness of the Dodge brand.” Cars will have a base, mid, high, and sport level. SRT will continue as the “ultimate performance sport” level.
Alex Peterson clarified this statement, quoting Ralph Gilles:
The other part of the formula that needs to be adjusted is the way we sell cars. This is the basic classic formula of base, mid, high. In actuality we do most of our sales in the base … What happens is there seems to be a frustration, where they (The Customer) see the things that they want, but they simply cannot afford them. So we are going to go through and really rethink how we package vehicles. And instead of creating this base, mid, high, we are going to create personality types.
He then outlined the types of personalities the vehicles will have. Sweet and Simple, Fun and Practical, Uptown (Luxury), Thrill Seeker, and Cool (Extrovert). A derrivative of the Thrill Seeker will be the Ultimate Performance SRT-8. Imagine R/T vs. SRT =Thrill Seeker vs. Ultimate Performance.
November 5th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Jeff Tramontano pointed out that this photo from the Five Year Plan, presented with the label “Future Product Philosophy” and the Dodge logo, might well be the 2012 Dodge Charger. (See the2012 Dodge Charger page for a larger photo.) He wrote, “Page 31 shows a shot of something that looks somewhat like the 1999 concept CNG car but it’s very different, i.e. gas cap, door handles, C pillar and window split not to mention wheels are different.”
November 4th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Distribution. Most of the international outlets are joined with Daimler. Sales will be integrated into the
Fiat organization in Latin America and Europe to provide full support. In Asia, Chrysler has been more self sufficient and will provide its distribution structure to
Fiat.
International product development.
Jeep will be expanded in international market. Chrysler and
Dodge have been spread thinly. In the future, a global portfolio of vehicles will cover 2/3 of global market segments with powertrains that reflect international demand. There will be B and C segment hatchbacks,
minivans, and CUVs for
Dodge and Chrysler, which will dovetail with
Jeep vehicles.
Both Lancia and Chrysler have similar problems, including incomplete portfolios, limited distribution, low brand recognition. The alliance can selectively used either the Lancia or Chrysler brand in any given market for a better focus — with a full market portfolio in each market. The
Dodge and Ram brands will continue in appropriate markets as regional or niche brands. Chrysler models will be offered to
Fiat for distribution under
Fiat brands to give Chrysler access to more volume. Chrysler Australia will move to Iveco.
Financial services are already moving from Daimler.
Jeep expansion will include five global models.
Distribution. Most of the international outlets are joined with Daimler. Sales will be integrated into the Fiat organization in Latin America and Europe to provide full support. In Asia, Chrysler has been more self sufficient and will provide its distribution structure to Fiat.
International product development. Jeep will be expanded in international market. Chrysler and Dodge have been spread thinly. In the future, a global portfolio of vehicles will cover 2/3 of global market segments with powertrains that reflect international demand. There will be B and C segment hatchbacks, minivans, and CUVs for Dodge and Chrysler, which will dovetail with Jeep vehicles.
Both Lancia and Chrysler have similar problems, including incomplete portfolios, limited distribution, low brand recognition. The alliance can selectively used either the Lancia or Chrysler brand in any given market for a better focus — with a full market portfolio in each market. The Dodge and Ram brands will continue in appropriate markets as regional or niche brands. Chrysler models will be offered to Fiat for distribution under Fiat brands to give Chrysler access to more volume. Chrysler Australia will move to Iveco.
Financial services are already moving from Daimler.
Jeep expansion will include five global models.
These plans contrast with major media predictions based on “leaks.”
For more and for updates, see the Five Year Plan page.
November 4th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
The Dodge summary: Caliber ends in 2012, and a Fiat compact sedan takes over in 2012; Avenger stops in 2013, replaced by a same-name Fiat mid-size; a new small hatchback from Fiat starts in 2013; Journey gets redesigned in 2010 and continues through 2014; Nitro may be continued (unknown); Viper stops in 2010, then might restart in 2012. Challenger gets refreshed for 2011. Grand Caravan gets redesigned in 2014, refreshed in 2010. Full sized CUV starts 2010. For more details, see the Five Year Plan coverage.
November 4th, 2009 by DaveAdmin
Chrysler’s five year plan is being unveiled, with a limited-entry webcast on Chrysler LLC’s corporate web site, constant updates at Automotive News, and frequent updates here at allpar.com. The plan will take around five hours to describe.
The plan is for a complete repackaging of all current vehicles, with new options mixes, by the end of the fourth quarter of 2009. A complete overhaul of branding, marketing, positioning, and point of sale is to be completed by the end second quarter of 2010.
Follow our regularly updated page at http://www.allpar.com/corporate/chrysler-group/five-year-plan.html
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