[RVC]

What else should he say, the truth? He HAS to say that, he couldn't very well say "well, after the s88t hit the fan we tried to see if we could do something to remedy the disaster but we just didn't have enough time, soooo, there you have it!"

 

[RVC]

Now I'm truly confused.

Sergio famously delayed the updated 300 and Charger because of the styling, right?

And he's said they can afford only one failure - and in at least one interview he's called the Dart a flop - yet the Fiat Group "couldn't" fix the KL design that Jeep produced?

Huh??

Simple photoshops here at Allpar have produced much more accessible designs without any air intake changes and very minor sheetmetal updates. Granted, any sheetmetal change isn't cheap but if this is such a critical product, I have a lot of trouble believing they would just move ahead, convinced it would fail, but have an immediate refresh waiting in the wings.

Something just doesn't smell right with this scenario. Not doubting your sincerity, doubting the ultimate source of the story, as it reads like a plot to distance someone from the decision to go forward as is.

I'm beginning to believe the Wall Street Journal story that the KL is really a stillborn Alfa CUV and perhaps Chrysler was handed a lot of defined architecture and/or hardpoints they didn't have time or budget to change.

Mmh, actually if you read carefully what Norm wrote you'll notice he said press "unveiling", which was months ago. Keep in mind that a redesign doesn't equate to photoshopping an image, and that time and cost are directly tied to the magic word for any automotive product: budget. These vehicles take years to develop, platform availability or not.

What was it that Bob kept saying about good, fast, inexpensive and how you can only pick two?

There's nothing they could do at this point (and this point started was already set in stone months ago), except try to sell as many as they can. I believe the restyle will come out as soon as budget allows, and not at the usual interval.

 

[RVC]

In regards to the "Cherokee was supposed to be an Alfa" garbage:You're welcome.

It's a sad day when Jalopnik has to correct the WSJ...

Have you seen the new Grand Cherokee's headlights in person? They look fantastic... and the plastic portion underneath isn't even really noticeable and beyond that is functional. I love the new headlights, and the LED's look great!

Damn you are hard core! I respect that

 

[RVC]

Here's a question I had about the Dart and now it's coming up again for the Cherokee: who is the supplier for the seat coverings (foam + skins)?
In both cases it seems to me we could do much better; the seats appear puffy, crooked and creased.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-jeep-cherokee-trailhawk-new-york-2013/med/#photo-5774575/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-jeep-cherokee-trailhawk-new-york-2013/med/#photo-5774573/

Just an observation.

 

[RVC]

Its a preproduction show car....

I don't think that's the issue, you see the same thing on regular production Darts.

Even sadder when Allpar (well, me, in this thread and one of the other KL threads) stated the same thing - "design" is not "styling" - and no one else apparently picked up on it.

True