2015 Fiat-Chrysler 200

 

The new Fiat-Chrysler 200 models look as if they will be a standout in this crowded segment. The new design has been well received. The nine speed automatic transmission will give superb fuel economy to those who purchase the Chrysler 200.

The 200, Grand Cherokee and Dart share the same Alfa Romeo frame.

Al Gardner states the advertising will embrace Made in America.  The head of interior design  Klaus Busse  states the car’s ownership by Fiat-Chrysler is not an issue. Look at Land Rover owned by Tata of India. Cherry Motors own Jaguar. Volvo is owned by the Chinese company.

But, the Fiat-Chrysler 200 models were designed in Michigan and the factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan is state of the art. They are manufacturing vehicles now but working out every detail in the state of the art robotics to make models at a large volume. They expect sales will be much higher because of all the new features so they must have a factory that can deliver the vehicles on time.

Since 2009 Chrysler has been bring production back to Michigan. With the state of the art one million square foot facility Fiat-Chrysler has brought in hundreds of new jobs.  At the Sterling Heights facility they are building the rear suspension instead of giving those jobs to suppliers. By doing this quality will be watched during every step of developing the rear suspensions.

Now that the Avenger is gone Fiat-Chrysler are counting on the new 200 models to bring in customers.  They offer a superb interior in each model.  Engines will be the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 173 foot pounds of torque and 184 horsepower. The other engine is the Pentastar V6 delivering 262 pounds of torque and 262 horses.  I hope they add the eco diesel in the future.  They now see the demand is evident with the success in the Jeep and Truck  models.

One option that impresses me the most is the all-wheel-drive system. I would insist in the Snow Belt areas of North America. Under power 80% goes to the rear wheels. The Chrysler 200 sedan’s innovative available all-wheel-drive system features a one-speed power transfer unit (PTU) and uniquely disconnects and reconnects the rear axle – automatically and seamlessly – as needed and at any speed.  The disconnecting rear axle disconnects at both the PTU and rear drive module, which improves fuel economy by reducing parasitic loss when all-wheel drive is not needed.

Forget the shifting systems of the past. The 200 has a dial that controls all the modes for the nine speed automatic. The rotary shifter has a mechanical, tactile feel with clear detents, and should be more reliable than mechanical systems. The electronically controlled transmission can quickly switch between 20 shift maps, based on torque, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, hill detection, friction detection, cruise control, stability control status, and temperature.

Upgrade to the 200 Sport model and Paddle Shifters are included. I love the Dial but when in mountains or even in great roads I prefer the Paddle Shifters. Makes it not only fun but reduces need to use the brakes.

 Chrysler's first images of the 2015 Chrysler 200.

 Sportier model shown off at North American International Auto Show in January 2014.

LED daytime running lights are superb. Fit and finish are great. The no gaps from headlamp to headlamp help bring the 2015 200 to achieve the lowest Coefficient of Drag in this segment. Under the frame was designed also to lower the Coefficient of Drag by building a skin that moves the air quickly under the vehicle.

Ralph Gilles stated that design features on the exterior front end go all way down to fog light and around. Shoulder is perfect. The front of the new 200 debuts the new “face of Chrysler” with a unified look that integrates the grille and headlamps for the first time with a Mobius strip-inspired design that’s enhanced by a dynamic grille texture, providing a unique 3-dimensional effect. 

A light pipe or full-LED daytime running lamps (DRL) and LED fog lamps give the Chrysler 200 a recognizable look. The new DRL debuts a new shape for the 200, starting in the top corner, moving down and then inward, wrapping around the headlamps.

The hood goes into A pillar with no gaps. Tightest lamp to lamp enclosure. No gaps. Imagine working on rear view mirrors for months to reduce drag-well they did it. Again as stated above 100 engineers and designers worked to make the 200 better than the competition. I believe they have done it.

The new interior of the 200 is thanks to Klaus Busse and the interior design team who was one of the passionate interior designers. The materials used are not the old fake plastic but wood and aluminum. This is why the new 200 is good. Fiat-Chrysler’s designers are some from the Daimler-Chrysler who learned or knew how important the interiors are.

The all-new Chrysler 200 is loaded with state-of-the-art, high-tech features including the optional 7-inch LED full-color instrument cluster allows drivers to receive information and feedback in the format they prefer, similar to an iPhone. A glowing bezel surrounding the instrument cluster gives off a distinctive, pleasing blue glow. The available screens show information such as real-time fuel economy, turn-by-turn navigation, compass, outside temperature, speed, time and other useful information. The display is easy to use and easy-to-read, which allows drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
If you wish even more than consider the Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia command center. Uconnect Access keeps drivers and passengers connected with helpful information such as fuel prices and movie listings. Voice-activated navigation, handsfree voice command and voice-to-text are some of the available features that allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Four different models of the 200 will be available at the end of June 2014.

Safety features available on the 200 models are amazing. Even on the base models. But, if you wish even more features that are optional Fiat-Chrysler has them for the 200. They state in their press release they have 60 safety features.

The new 2015 200 has sensing elements that leverage available ultrasonic, radar, camera and other technologies for a 360-degree view of the road.

Then add adaptive Cruise Control-Plus: that can without driver intervention, can bring the 2015 Chrysler 200 to full stop. Plus a full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus: a Chrysler Group first that provides autonomous braking and, under certain circumstances, slows or brings the vehicle to a full stop when a frontal collision appears imminent. I first drove this in a Corvette 15 years ago and technology has only enhanced it.

Then the 200 has the ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist that uses ultrasonic sensors to guide the driver into parking spaces.

In addition the 2015 Chrysler 200 states they are they are offering the  standard electronic park brake with SafeHold, which secures the vehicle if the driver opens the door and unlatches the seat belt while forward or reverse gears are still engaged. I love this system especially in San Francisco.

Other standard and available features they state include electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, ParkSense rear backup sensors, ParkView rear backup camera, blind-spot monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection and LATCH child seat anchors. After June of 2014 we will be able to look at pricing of all features and accessories available

MOPAR showed off the 200S with many of the 90 accessories that will be available for customers to personalize their 200S.  When the 200 is available in early summer many of these accessories will be available.

“The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is a revolutionary vehicle for Chrysler Group, and for the segment as well, so we created a vehicle that complements the soul of the 2015 Chrysler 200, while also showcasing how Mopar parts and accessories can help owners personalize and customize the new sedan to truly make it their own,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO — Mopar.

The team at Fiat-Chrysler looked at the Avalon, Fusion, Sonata and the segments best. All the APA, IMPA, Sama members I talked to though stated the 200 offers more. The luxury offered in the 200 is equal to other higher cost luxury vehicle like the Audi.

The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 has a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $21,700 (excluding $995 destination). But that is the base model.

Fuel economy when the 200 Model is equipped with the 4-cylinder gets 23 mpg in city and highway they state is 36 mpg for combined 28 mpg.  Better than the Ford Fusion and the Toyota Camry. Best in class is Nissan Altima with combined fuel economy of 31 mpg when equipped with their four cylinder engine. 

If you decide on the six cylinder engine mated also with the nine-speed automatic you will expect to get 19 mpg in the city and 32mpg on the highway with combined fuel economy estimated at 23mpg.  The all-wheel-drive version gets 18 mpg city and 29 mpg on highway or combined 22 mpg. So some journalist are already questioning this new nine speed transmission that was to improve fuel economy.  Not long ago Sergio Marchionne stated the 1.6 billion spent on the Indiana factory that builds the nine-speed transmission is going through a learning period. So once they understand the complexity of the nine-speed with their sophisticated software and hardware perhaps the nine speed automatic will deliver even better fuel economy on the engines they deliver to their customers. The nine - speed automatic transmission is approximately 30 pounds lighter than the previous generation six-speed automatic helping to reduce the weight of the 200's.

The Fiat-Chrysler 200 models I believe will amaze buyers and I hope sales will be higher than they at Fiat - Chrysler expect.

If they had not discontinued the 200 previously know as the Sebring  convertible I believe they would surely have made me and the rental car companies happy. But, think about it Fiat has a lot of vehicles to replace the Sebring or 200 Convertible. Alfa Romeo was my second convertible car. Right now the Fiat-Chrysler team has been working with  Mazda (and others) on a possible convertible. So as many of the journalist and I believe Fiat-Chrysler will bring a new convertible to North America in the future. I am certain it will be an amazing vehicle!

Art Gardner states that Fiat-Chrysler is offering more bang for the buck priced nearly the same as the Ford Fusion and below that of other competitors including Honda and Toyota, Nissan.

The Fiat-Chrysler group are brilliant on design and they wish to prove they are moving to have even a bigger presence in North America. They lead in their business decisions. They will  be a powerful leader in the world automotive business.

Bruce Hubbard

JB Hubbard

Bradley Hubbard

Bonnie Lynch

Auto Advisor Group