Chrysler tagged posts

Test Car Information

2015 Chrysler 200S AWD
3.6L naturally aspirated V6, 295 hp @ 6,350 RPM, 262 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm
9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive
Options: Comfort Group, Navigation and Sound Group I, Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof, Premium Lighting Group, 19×8-in Hyper Black Aluminum Wheels
MSRP as tested: $35,295 (including $995 S&H charge)

Platform and Chassis

The current Chrysler 200 is based on FIAT’s C-Evo platform. The C-Evo platform, which is firstly used on the 2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta, utilizes 84% high-strength steel and 4% aluminum. The front/rear suspension also extensively uses aluminum. Therefore, the C-Evo is an advanced platform.

Above ima...

US Auto Sales: Key Factors

For an automobile consumer, the key factors that affect the decision to purchase a new vehicle is:

1. How easy he/she can get access to the funding (auto loan)
2. How old is his/her current car
3. How good is the new car model

The below chart is sourced from WSJ.

For factor #1, it looks like financial institutions have lowered the bar for approving car loans. According to the credit-monitoring firm Experian, now 20.4% of all auto loans are sub-prime loans, which is granted to borrowers in the lowest credit score range. Banks are even providing longer term loans. Get this, the average long term loan now reaches 5.5 years...

It has already been 3 years since the second generation Chrylser 300 was introduced back in 2011, we all know this means the full size sedan is due for a mid-cycle renew this year.

Today Chrysler confirmed that the refreshed 300 will bow at this November’s Los Angeles auto show. There will be no major mechanical changes, and the refresh is mainly focus on exterior/interior appearance, electronic features/gadgets.

The 3.6L 292hp V6 and also the 5.7L HEMI V8, which has 370hp will be carried over to the 2015 model...

We always hear the idea of leasing cars, or maybe you are already leasing a car at this moment. There are also debates whether leasing or purchasing saves you more money. There is no absolute answer for this question because the final cost depends heavily on your income/expense/tax situations, therefore it is case by case.

In US, since you do not own the title of the leased car (the leasing company that owns the tile), this is classified as an operating lease...

We got news from our VW source that, the next generation of the Volkswagen Phaeton will be position similar to the Chrysler 300 and Ford Taurus.

This is a big change that can change your mindset that how you view today’s Phaeton. For your reference, the current Phaeton is sharing the same platform with the Bentley Continental GT, and is capable of holding a 12-cylinder engine in front of its front wheel and provide power to all of its four wheels.

If the new Phaeton is designed to compete with cars that are significantly cheaper than the current model’s price tag, we are almost sure that it will not be so close to the Bentley models as it does today...