How about the Citroen C4 as the entry level CHRYSLER? It’s taller than a normal hatchback but shorter than a crossover. It’s killer app is a cushy suspension . I don’t think you could invent a better all new car for Chrysler. I wouldn’t even restyle it. Just call it the Chrysler Citroen C4. Calling it that is the best of all worlds since CHRYSLER brand has no history of small cars and you get to introduce an exotic to America brand without actually going through with the huge effort to introducing a new brand. Just cherry pick Citroen’s coolest vehicle. Maybe Dodge could have the more carlike Opel version of the Peugeot 308.
No, the C4 is far beneath Chrysler. There should be no 3 cylinder Chryslers ever, nor ones with a mere 13 cu ft trunk. That's the same kind of insult as the Fiat Tipo becoming a Chrysler 100. Chrysler is not a cheap brand like Fiat and Citroen. It is like Alfa, Lancia and DS. Give the cheap economy cars to Dodge, or revive Plymouth for them.
"Tavares said the brand is in need of a talented and visionary CEO who perhaps can make Chrysler what it once represented. "It is an opportunity for us to make the brand rebound," he said. "We do not forget that Chrysler was in the past the expression of the automotive American technology, the best technology available at that point in time."
Jeep and Ram may produce the profits in North America, but Chrysler sits alongside Fiat and Peugeot as hallmarks of the American, Italian and French heritage of Stellantis
www.detroitnews.com
The C4 is on the cheaper EMP1/CMP platform with a twist beam rear axle. The DS4 is on EMP2. The DS4 should be upgraded to get an independent rear suspension and stretched to increase its cargo capacity. Then it would be worthy of being a Chrysler.
The 155 PS 1.2T EB engine is the top engine in the C4. The DS 4 gets the 225 PS 1.6T Prince engine, or an available plug in hybrid 1.6T with the same total output.
C4 / EMP1/CMP // DS 4 / EMP2
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm (105.1 in) | |
|---|
| Length | 4,360 mm (171.7 in) | 4,400 (173.2) |
|---|
| Width | 1,834 mm (72.2 in) | 1,830 (72.0) |
|---|
| Height | 1,525 mm (60.0 in) | 1,470 (57.9) |
|---|
Notice the strange bulbous styling of the C4, the pre refresh Cherokee style front end, weird fake vent side trim and uninspired tablet from the dashboard interior. Also note the woefully inadequate 380 L/ 13.4 cu ft cargo area.
EMP2 / 1.6T Prince / Aisin 8 speed would be very competitive in the US.
EMP1/CMP and 1.2T EB is an unacceptable combination for the US market, it would have to be modified for 1.3T/1.5T GSE or 1.6T Prince.
In short, the C4 is completely unacceptable for the US market, the DS 4 would make a great Chrysler.
What is needed to make DS 4 a high selling Chrysler is a leather free base interior and a station wagon / shooting brake variant. The base model needs to make all of the electronics like active suspension, head up display etc. and sunroof optional, 180 and 225 PS 1.6T and plug in hybrid available.
I might have a car to buy someday to replace my current sports sedan.
