With Fiat platforms, Chrysler gets an Italian-style makeover
Reprints
Print
Respond
- New Quattroporte launches effort to lift Maserati sales
- More delays hobble Alfa's U.S. return
- Small crossover will replace Chrysler minivan
- Jeep adds big, small vehicles
- More delays hobble Alfa's return to U.S.
- Dodge focus: 'Affordable performance'
- Fiat plans 4 more versions of 500
- Fiat helps Ram enter van fray
- Ferrari finishes revamping U.S. lineup
- New Quattroporte launches effort to lift Maserati sales
- 2012 European Automakers: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Volkswagen
- 2012 Chrysler-Fiat Future Product
- 2012 Japanese Automakers: Infiniti, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Suzuki
- 2012 Ford Product Plans
- 2012 Korean and Chinese Automakers Future Product
- 2012 European Automakers: Aston Martin, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Smart, Volvo
- 2012 Japanese Automakers Product Plans: Acura, Honda, Lexus, Scion, Toyota
- 2012 GM Product Plans
DETROIT -- Over the next three years, Chrysler Group will redesign most of its hottest-selling vehicles on Fiat-derived platforms and install new and more efficient automatic transmissions in a majority of its vehicles.
The changes are the results of Chrysler's 2009 acquisition by Fiat S.p.A.
Chrysler is ramping up production of eight-speed automatic transmissions, which it will use for large rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It also has begun building prototypes of a new nine-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive models. Both gearboxes will improve fuel economy.
Meanwhile, Chrysler will introduce European diesel engines in a few light-duty vehicles and roll out at least two new gasoline engines for others.
Several of Chrysler's compact and mid-sized vehicles will be redesigned to ride on Fiat's CUSW platform, which was introduced to North America on the 2013 Dodge Dart. Its minivans, large sedans and coupes also are scheduled for redesigns on new platforms. The Viper is returning to the lineup late this year with a new brand, SRT.
Fiat will add an electric version of the 500 this year and a small crossover, the 500X, in the 2015 model year. Here are Chrysler-Fiat's product plans from company and other sources.
You can reach Larry P. Vellequette at lvellequette@crain.com.
