Comments on: Chrysler considering rear-wheel drive for next-gen mid-size sedan

By: speedemon

speedemon — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:36:59 +0000

and you wonder why American car companies are always behind the Euro’s and Jap’s

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:13:03 +0000

Yeah, bring us some God-damned RWD mid-size sedans for a change! FWD is for losers!

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:10:24 +0000

“Mid-size sedan buyers heavily favor front-wheel drive”

That’s like saying we had the choice in the first place!

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:48:06 +0000

They’ve been pretty foolish as of late and I don’t know if CHRYSLER, even with FIAT and the US Gov’t poking them, that they will make those hotly desired vehicles they know we want.

By: cor1977

cor1977 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:38:28 +0000

AWD, FWD, RWD – I don’t care, just build the 200c. I had a chance to see the car @ the Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills – simply gorgeous!! They would be foolish to not build it.

By: RustyPanama

RustyPanama — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:08:22 +0000

… and a real pleasure to drive in New England weather. I’m not sure mom wants to carry her kids around in a car that can’t avoid skidding in light showers. If they don’t want to alienate the parts of the country that get to “enjoy” nasty weather, they had better offer AWD (see the Charger and 300).

By: SomeGreek

SomeGreek — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:25:17 +0000

Right on spot Sarge. Fiat intents to develop a RWD platform for the succesor of Alfa 166. If it happens they’ll definatelly share it with Chrysler.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:57:07 +0000

Worst3,

Actually the Citadel used an E-AWD just like you are thinking. It really is the only way to go. The engine powers the rear wheel and a generator to power the motors on the front wheels. I’m not clear on the details, but I’m sure there was a battery pack.

Unfortunately, while I would agree on the need to just ditch the batteries, I don’t think that is going to happen. There wold be too much market pressure to build such a car with batteries. It is just hard to justify electric motors with out the batteries right now. Most people just can’t see it. Hence why GM and FISKER could deliver their Serial Hybrids without batteries but don’t. Call it “The Curse of the PRIUS”, which really needs batteries for the motor to make any since at all.

If Gm did ditch the batteries they could deliver a lighter car for about $15K less.

Well, at any rate, CHRYSLER’s aim to be a top draw car maker, aiming for MERCEDES-BENZ and the like, means they can use batteries as long as the underlying car makes people believe the car is worth the money. Want to save a buck buying CHRYSLER? Buy a DODGE?

By: worst 3

worst 3 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:00:22 +0000

i did not mean it as a hybrid like the Citadel concept just an electric mother takeing power form the gas engin no heavy batteries, at least not at first. probably better to come out rwd as fast as possible and have some awd of some sort come out latter, as i feel people would want it and most midsized cars don’t have awd (Camry, accord, Altima …)

By: worst 3

worst 3 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:49:57 +0000

@Blakkarr

no offense taken, and TY i did not know they had there own, maby they could bring that system back with a bit less hp power and lighter, just a little power to the front wheels in showy conditions to get people going and not worried about there rwd in the snow, that might be lighter then then a normal mechanical awd system, because there cars are a bit heavy usually.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:44:11 +0000

There was the claim that CHRYSLER would be developed into “America’s MERCEDES BENZ”. A high reaching goal that will need a lot of foundation work.

Building the 200C as a RWD is a start. The notion that most American driers are not to keen on RWD cars seriously underestimates what kind of cars We will buy. After all their is not complaint about MERCEDES, BMW, LEXUS, INFINITI, and CADILLAC. They make, at least majority, RWD base cars.

If CHRYSLER want to be taken seriously they have to aim high and hit the mark. Going the BUICK route is not going to do it. They need to reclaim their reputation for great cars, and that will include making a MId-szied RWD.

If they do this hopefully they will make a purpose made platform afterwards.

Worst3,

No offense but CHRYSLER developed their own “E-AWD” ages ago. This was for the 1999 Citadel concept. Obviously, they did not see much need for it then. Though they could have (Should have, did not) built the car instead of the Pacifica. That may change but, I doubt anyone would think they were copying anyone, especially NISSAN since they are fixed on mechanical, electronically controlled AWD systems for the foreseeable future. After all, I except a LOT of trickle down for the GT-R35 for the next decade.

By: worst 3

worst 3 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:09:32 +0000

I hope the make it rwd, there no main stream sedans with rwd, and hopefully an manual. the need something to make them stand out in the midsize market. I dought they should be trying and take on Toyota by making cars like ever one else but go after people who want a bit more form a midsize with out going Luxury prices. I think they would need to have a low costs awd version that get good millage, may be something like Nissan’s e-4wd for the front wheels. they would have too keep the weight down.

By: 2TellUTheTruth

2TellUTheTruth — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:45:46 +0000

Chrysler needs to come wit da hot designs they’ve shown us they could create wit their concepts, n bring quality up to competitive standards, n step da chrysler brand up to a tier II luxury brand at least. And then step up the quality (n designs of course) in the dodge brand n have it whoop some ass against hon, toy, nis n da rest.

By: AFSOCSARGE

AFSOCSARGE — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:23:11 +0000

The Hemi gets 25 MPG in the current LX Platform so 32 could be possible in a 3500 lbs Mid-Size now a Turbo Diesel would be nice

-Sarge

By: save saab

save saab — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:17:28 +0000

Ok, the 200C more of a luxury car, a la 300C, comfy ride, powerful. The Alfa Romeo Giulia (159) should be more of a sporty version, manual, high output V6 and sport-tuned suspension.

By: teahead

teahead — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:49:34 +0000

Do it Chrysler!

If Lexus, Caddy, Mercedes, BMW, Infiniti make a smallish RWD car, so can you! Time to get the Chrysler brand back to its stately status again!

Let Dodge carry a mid-size FWD to compete w/the Accord, Fusion, Mazda6, Camry, Malibu. ALthough it has to kick some serious butt to compete w/the above.

Problem is, the LX platform is HEAVY! They’d have to shorten it a bit and put in that Phoenix V6. No heavy arse iron HEMI please!

By: AFSOCSARGE

AFSOCSARGE — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:07:44 +0000

I don’t see why not they Build the Charger and the 300,I don’t see how the cost will be anyway prohibitive. The parts and labor are now less expensive than ever before. RWD is Better and Safer they can Market that and show how it save Wild Life !

-Sarge

By: S2L2SC

S2L2SC — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:03:25 +0000

Would be nice if they did – There is a true lack of affordable RWD cars in the market.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:02:34 +0000

They’ll reuse the platform that’s being used under the current Sebring. I

By: idrinorbarsaku

idrinorbarsaku — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:48:48 +0000

even if they did bring something to the market, wouldn’t it be a little overpriced for them to build, and for the consumer to buy?

By: bigp

bigp — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:35:04 +0000

think it best idea they have had so far but it should not use the lx because of weight.. i would buy one .. go after the bmw 3 and is

By: leftwingagenda

leftwingagenda — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:31:10 +0000

aren’t rwd cars more expensive to manufacture? i’m not sure the right strategy is to target smaller niche markets at this point, either…my gut instinct says this is probably a bad way to go, but who knows…

By: AFSOCSARGE

AFSOCSARGE — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:19:42 +0000

As I see it most drivers would prefer RWD if they drove one since there are so few available other than High end vehicles what do they have to Gauge the driving feel on? The Charge and 300 are sales leaders, I see them non Stop in Middle America TX,AR,MO TN. You can check the sales numbers plus they are taking over the Police Crown Victoria Fleet. RWD has a driving edge in most conditions other than Snow Conditions, but with Traction and Stability Control even Snow conditions would not make it better.

-Sarge

By: AutoCritical

AutoCritical — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:18:55 +0000

If the likes of GM (and other related car makers) leave the RWD platform for this size of car…and Chrysler do the opposite, are they seeing something that GM are not seeing? or do they just see another market opening up?

By: carstuff

carstuff — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:08:20 +0000

Chrysler is small enough and volume is low enough that a niche RWD midsized car could work for them.

By: Bankruptcy2009

Bankruptcy2009 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:53:22 +0000

I liked the EV concepts Dodge has on the drawing board and touring the national autoshow. that is what I would like to see from Dodge.

By: zoomerzoom

zoomerzoom — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:37:24 +0000

I don’t think the average buyer of a mid-sized sedan would want RWD. RWD appeals to enthusiasts, not the average family driver. I am not sure if this would be a good move by Chrysler.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:35:19 +0000

First off, half the twits behind the wheel probably don’t even know which end motivates their car. Secondly, judging by the tough time I have spotting Magnums/300s/Chargers I can see why Chrysler would be wary of success when it comes to a rear wheel drive sedan.

Just f*cking do it and show the world there is a difference between the old and the new Chrysler.

By: AFSOCSARGE

AFSOCSARGE — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:31:03 +0000

It would be a marketing Good Move, Competitive mid-size models have to revert to AWD for their Performance and Upscale Mid-size cars. The MPG deficit is only 2 MPG and maybe not even that with a 7 sp Transmission and The New Direct Injection Pentasar V-6. I think they may because Fiat wants a RWD Alfa- Romeo 169 to compete with BMW, Lexus, And Infinity so it is possible.

-Sarge

By: bigs4610

bigs4610 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:16:15 +0000

they dont have the balls to do RWD, though they should.

By: 05Z88Path

05Z88Path — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:14:54 +0000

I don’t think Chrysler has the guts to do a RWD mid-size sedan…