2012 Dodge Durango / Magnum 7-passenger CUV rendering

Drawings of the 2012 Dodge Durango / Dodge Magnum / 7-passenger Dodge CUV (depending on what name is finally chosen) were registered with the U.S. Copyright Office in April 2009. These drawings recently came to light as the patent was made public; talented artist Stephen Weigel brought them to life for Allpar. One of his two drawings is shown here; for the other, see our 2012 Dodge Durango / 7 Passenger CUV page.

Upgrade to Mercedes automatic coming?

With engineers working on substantial revisions to every Chrysler vehicle as well as replacements for the mid-sized and compact cars, engineering and testing time is tight at the CTC. For that reason, it was only a little surprising to hear that Chrysler is working on upgrades to the Mercedes W5A580 automatic transmission used since the Chrysler 300C made its debut.

Rumors have flown around that an eight-speed automatic, most likely a joint venture design with ZF (which is probably a ZF with Chrysler controls and mechanical interfaces), was being considered, but that it did not provide the performance/efficiency boost needed to merit the extra cost. Recently, we were informed that Chrysler appears to be working on a six or seven speed version of the Mercedes automatic. Mercedes itself moved to transmissions with more than five gears some time ago, but kept to its policy of allowing Chrysler access only to its older technologies.

While many at Chrysler appear to be unhappy with the Mercedes automatics, for a variety of reasons, a new version might cost less than the eight-speed ZF, especially given that it would likely allow the company to use a modified version of its current electronic controls, transmission case, and such, and not require nearly as much engineering work to fit into current vehicles and assembly systems. It would also mean far less retraining for the thousands of mechanics who work at Chrysler dealerships around the world.

The six or seven speed automatic could be a stopgap to fill in for the next few years, during which Chrysler could work its magic to develop a completely new automatic, or work with ZF on tailoring something for its needs, or combine the Chrysler and Fiat dual clutch automatics to replace hydraulic power transfer units entirely. It might even be a similar Mercedes design, adapted as the W5A580 was, just with more gears, obtained using the threat of ZF as an incentive for Mercedes to cooperate.

The 2011 Chrysler 300C and 2011 Dodge Charger, due at the end of this year or very early in 2011, are still expected to have five-speed automatics at launch, behind both the Hemi and the Pentastar V6.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee specs, extras posted

The latest unofficial specs on the upcoming 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee have been posted at the Jeep Garage. Posts are long but cover trim levels, equipment, colors and options.

To see all the specs, colors and options, visit the Jeep Garage website.

Thanks to wkjeep for the tip!

Chrysler, Dodge to be NA-only; LX moving to Fiat? (rumor)

Citing “people with direct knowledge” of the plan to be unveiled on Wednesday, November 4, Automotive News wrote that Jeep will be the only Chrysler nameplate to be sold outside North America.

Chrysler sells vehicles under its own name and the Dodge brand in numerous countries, but aside from North and South America, the quantities sold are small, especially compared with Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. Instead, shared vehicles would be sold under the Lancia brand.

Wednesday’s plans will be presented over the course of five hours.

Automotive News wrote that the Jeep brand would be “developed” and “beefed up” in emerging markets.  Jeep has a longstanding presence across the world. The article, which carried no byline, also said that plants slated to close will do so.

Fiat will, according to the article, also take over Chrysler LX development, taking away the only car still known to be under long-term development by Chrysler. The underpinnings of the 300C, Charger, and Challenger, as well as the once-approved but possible now cancelled 200C, would be developed by Fiat rather than Chrysler, the article implies.

WSJ claims scoop of Fiat-Chrysler plan

According to the Wall Street Journal, which claims access to people who have seen Fiat’s plan for Chrysler, many of the recent rumors regarding current models are incorrect, and Chrysler will incorporate more Fiat Group products than expected.

Vehicles planned for the US, according to the Journal article, include a replacement for the Chrysler Sebring, based on a Fiat design. The PT Cruiser, Sebring, Avenger, Compass, Caliber, and Patriot will all have their final year in 2012, with even the popular Dodge Caravan ducking out; the Chrysler Town & Country will be Chrysler’s sole minivan, according to the article, though historically the Caravan has sold better.  The Nitro will also be dropped.

Marketing for the Fiat 500 is unclear; the article claims it will not use the Fiat name but “will be marketed as the 500.”

Alfa Romeos to be sold in the US starting in 2012 include the MiTo subcompact hatch, a midsized sedan, and the Milano, all to be made in North America. Chrysler will start up a Sebring replacement and compact sedan in 2012 and a compact Fiat-based Jeep in 2013, they say.

To be kept are the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger.

Under this plan, Dodge would be strictly muscle cars and trucks, while Chrysler would take over the “Chevrolet – Plymouth – Ford – Toyota” position as the “everycar” brand. No mention was made of plans to move Chrysler upscale, which were announced by the former head of the Chrysler brand shortly before he resigned.

Dodge cars, Chrysler likely to get new logos

It hasn’t been officially confirmed, but Dodge passenger cars are likely to get a new logo as part of the brand shakeup at Chrysler Group LLC. With the separation of the truck operation into the new “Ram” brand, Dodge cars will no longer wear the stylized mountain goat that has been the symbol of Dodge products since Avard Tennyson Fairbanks (1897-1987) designed it as a hood ornament for the 1932 model year. Instead, sources say the cars will have a new trademark with the word “DODGE” inside a crest while the new Ram brand trucks, which will likely include rebadged versions of the Iveco Daily and Ducato vans, will wear a design similar to the current Dodge logo.

The same sources claim Chrysler’s winged logo will be changed as well. The wings will be shorter and more stylized and the traditional Chrysler seal will be replaced by a blue rectangle containing the word “CHRYSLER.”

Chrysler Group is scheduled to release its five-year business plan next month and the are some indications the release could come sooner as more and more questions are being raised about the changes being made by new CEO Sergio Marchionne.