While new CAFE regulations have put many automakers’ future rear-wheel vehicle plans on hold — including General Motors – Chrysler’s 300 and Dodge Charger will soldier on with a rear-wheel drive setup through their 2011 model year makeover.
While consumer demand for rear-wheel drive vehicles is on the rise, The Car Connection says the decision to keep the vehicles on their current platform actually is due to a lack of funds to develop a new front-wheel drive architecture.
Front wheel drive versions of the cars would improve fuel economy, but because of Chrysler’s current financial situation, the switch over is not economically viable.
The Car Connection also reports that the vehicles’ updates will be “fairly substantial.” While details on the Charger makeover remain a mystery, the 2011 300 will use bolder styling and will nix its low-slung roofline for a larger greenhouse.
02/14, 3:44 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Wait, those ****ty LX interiors aren’t getting replaced until 2011??
02/14, 3:50 PM
posted by:
Buivrolet
It’s nice to see that they’ll still be around…
But I have a feeling Chrysler is doomed.
02/14, 3:53 PM
posted by:
e36m
By 2011 it should be the tata 300 or ________ (insert chinese company name) 300
02/14, 4:00 PM
posted by:
F451
Chrysler is doomed.
02/14, 4:02 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Well it will be a completely different car by then and those new Cafe regs are kicking american car companies asses
I thought only the Japanese were good at doing that
02/14, 4:25 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
It’s good news. At least we know one automaker will still be making RWD cars after 2010.
02/14, 4:29 PM
posted by:
jimothy
WOOKIE62: From the looks of it, they’ve already run out of whitty things to say.
02/14, 4:33 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Good, looks like Chrysler intends to continue to build desirable cars.
02/14, 4:59 PM
posted by:
El Aleman
Beautiful. None of this “Oh my god we can’t build a rear wheel drive car with decent fuel mileage watch us suffer” **** coming from Lutz.
Seriously, look at the mileage of the BMW 5 Series (520d with 177 bhp and 265 lb-ft. of torque gets a 46 mpg and beats a Chrysler 300 3.5 in topspeead and off the line by a second) and tell me why exactly the 200 pounds extra make it impossible to be fuel efficient..
02/14, 5:30 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Any of you ****stains using the other hand to type while you jerk off need to be reminded just how good these cars are right now. Yes, the interior’s not up to BMW or Mercedes standards (ironic as that may be) but where else do you find such a combination of comfort, power and prowess other than the 300/Charger for a price even hand lotion addicts like all you naysayers can afford. Why do you think they sell so well? These are cool f*cking cars, that’s why. And when it’s all said and done, Chrysler will probably look back at all this and be thankful they couldn’t afford to go back to FWD.
02/14, 5:55 PM
posted by:
gbb
I bought the first 300/SRT8 I laid my eyes on, still got it, still love it, not sure I will ever sell it. The only sedan built in NA in the last 30 years thats worth a $hit and its a great one.
02/14, 6:10 PM
posted by:
Buivrolet
WOOKIE62 – I have a feeling you misinterpreted my statement. I am fully in support of Chrysler, but I am concerned for their future. That is all.
02/14, 6:13 PM
posted by:
El Aleman
I’m just saying that with a modern diesel or even gas engine there is not the slightest problem with CAFE. A BMW is more expensive, sure, but not only because of its engine.
02/14, 7:25 PM
posted by:
buytheredcar
its probably going to be the same design thats why
02/14, 7:50 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
FWD is for losers! I’m glad Chrysler is not switching to FWD, but I still don’t understand why any company would want to go to such an ass-backwards configuration (the fuel consumption argument is silly, 1 less MPG ain’t gonna kill nobody). To each his own, I guess.
02/14, 8:30 PM
posted by:
CarStar
I am glad that Chrysler is sticking with the RWD platform. This design is hot! The 300 design still looks good even though its been around for a while.
The Charger needs some smoother lines. I think Chrysler should take it a step further and build the next mid-size Sebring/Avenger off the Challenger platform. That would be awesome. Who cares if it is powered by a very small V6 or a large 4-cylinder? I like RWD and I want it to stay around, even if FWD fuel economy is slightly better.
02/14, 8:45 PM
posted by:
bolex
awesome news and good for Chrylser, even if it was circumstantial. both awesome cars. its a blessing in disguise for them.
02/14, 9:30 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
2011? Jesus….too bad, sounds like the 300 will go the way of the Taurus – unsalvageable
02/14, 9:37 PM
posted by:
mazdaman
It’s going to be interesting to see how Chrysler follows up on such iconic designs as the current 300 and Charger. I’m glad that they will be continuing with the rear wheel drive format with these cars.
I agree with CarStar: I would like to see them give the Chrysler division a midsize sedan on a shortened version of this platform (I’m not sure if the Dodge midsize sedan should be rear wheel drive; I see pros and cons to this proposition).
I also agree with El Aleman: at least we don’t hear Chrysler whining about the CAFE regulations interfering with their plans for these cars.
02/14, 10:05 PM
posted by:
autonut
Is this RWD by birth as oppose to choice?
02/15, 3:35 AM
posted by:
AxeHead
Test
02/15, 4:47 AM
posted by:
fan
chrysler is still innovative. good. AND, i agree, too, it is good to actually not hear a US-Automaker whine about regulations, but venture on, and take the challenge as a chance…
02/15, 11:10 AM
posted by:
golf4me
Only good decision they’ve made in 2 years, well besides killing the Compiss and PT conv.
I hope the new LX kicks GM’s FWD’s in the ass and make Lutz look like an arsehole for abandoning the only thing that would have given GM any credibility in the large sedan market…
02/15, 5:32 PM
posted by:
El Aleman
true words, golf4me.
02/15, 8:03 PM
posted by:
Get Real
I’m surprised Chrysler lasted past the Intrepid LH car fiasco.
Stupid dumb people are born everyday and will buy a shiny new car….no matter the history of the automaker.
BUT…Chrysler IS nearing the end..payback time.
DIE NOW
02/20, 10:42 AM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Good
01/19, 1:10 AM
posted by:
g93
yeah i agree with Blakkarr..chryslers my fav brand and there legacy is RWD soo it better stay that way
03/18, 10:58 AM
posted by:
dzuchowski
Chrysler replaced the ly cars that were FWD with the LX cars that are RWD. The reasoning at the time to go back to rwd was to have a better large car experience. Then just after 1 model run they considered going back to fwd? Thank you Feds for killing RWD. I wounder if the next mustang and corvette will be fwd?