That should help the debate regarding a premium, affordable car.

 

I read an interview of the head of interior design at Chrysler where he explained how the HVAC system, which takes up most of the space behind the dashboard, was reoriented vertically in the 200 to open up more space.

This is the type of clever thinking we would have expected out of Honda 20 years ago. I sure am glad to see it coming out of Chrysler these days.

 

I read an interview of the head of interior design at Chrysler where he explained how the HVAC system, which takes up most of the space behind the dashboard, was reoriented vertically in the 200 to open up more space.

This is the type of thinking we would have expected out of Honda 20 years ago. I sure am glad to see it coming out of Chrysler these days.

IIRC the Dart's is done that way thats how its able to fit a tablet in the glove box.

 

Also from Wards: Chrysler Looks to Hold Ground With New 200 http://wardsauto.com/sales-marketing/chrysler-looks-hold-ground-new-200

At the end of the article it says the tranny for the 2.4L 200 is made by Chrysler while the 3.6L tranny comes from ZF.

 

Dart was first to have it, then Cherokee and now 200. The only bad thing is it's pretty weak compared to the old Chrysler systems.

 

Dart was first to have it, then Cherokee and now 200. The only bad thing is it's pretty weak compared to the old Chrysler systems.

Good to know.

 

Dart was first to have it, then Cherokee and now 200. The only bad thing is it's pretty weak compared to the old Chrysler systems.

Was Air Temp another Daimler victim, or was it sold off before Daimler came?
Detroit Axle.
New Process.
Makes me sad to see the great in house suppliers gone.
Allpar has my answer:

http://www.allpar.com/corporate/airtemp.php

 

I think, as CJDSalesPro said, to get traction in the midsize market, Chrysler has to be far better in terms of value, quality, amenities and price.

 

The sales numbers for this car is going to be interesting. Will it be a hit like the Cherokee? Could they get to 20K a month? I wonder what target they have in mind?

 

Was Air Temp another Daimler victim, or was it sold off before Daimler came?
Detroit Axle.
New Process.
Makes me sad to see the great in house suppliers gone.
Allpar has my answer:

http://www.allpar.com/corporate/airtemp.php

Same Delco that did Honda, and many of the high end GM cars also was doing many of the High end controls for Chrysler and Jeep.

One of the best Engineers in that field in the was there in Kokomo before he was forced to retire because he documented to much in his head and not making everything digital. Now the entire facility is dedicated to producing his creations. Now that is Gratitude for you.

 

Detroit Axle isn't really gone. What happened was a "Transfer of Operations" to the new Marysville Axle plant. It is a Chrysler plant, only run by ZF management.

 

Detroit Axle isn't really gone. What happened was a "Transfer of Operations" to the new Marysville Axle plant. It is a Chrysler plant, only run by ZF management.

Are they still called "Corporate" axles?
The Chrysler axles were coveted , back in the day, with the 8-3/4 and sure grip diffs. During WWII, they built axles that were copied by Ford for their famous 9" design. You could swap out ratios just by changing the carrier and entire 3rd member right out the front, or driveline side.

 

I really wouldn't say Ford copied anyone with the 9" design. Drop out 3rd member design axles were in use by a lot of companies pre-war, including International and Toyota.

Strangely enough, Toyota still uses drop-out style axles with fabricated housings. You'll find this under every new Tundra and Tacoma: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/toyota-tundra-uts-450_0107.jpg

As far as modern HVAC systems being less effective, a lot of that has to do with fuel economy reasons as well as modern refrigerant gasses being less efficient than R12, or even R134a

 

I don't know what caused it, but I do miss the A/C of my mom's old 1993 Plymouth Duster. Nothing, and I mean nothing, I have driven since has been able to match it. That A/C had only one setting. Igloo.