If you take the time to go through Chrysler's entire viability plan, filed yesterday with the U.S. Treasury, you will find two renderings of upcoming vehicles. Interior and exterior mock-ups of the new 2010 Chrysler 300C and the new 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee made their way into the report.
Whether it is to convince the government of their sustainability, or a cheap marketing gimmick, or both, the pictures clearly show the direction Chrysler is taking with the two cars.
First and foremost, why are there no side mirrors on the new 300C? A somewhat essential element, they seem to have left the item off completely, not even replacing it with side-view cameras. Could missing these small details be a key reason why the company has performed so poorly in recent times?
The new 300C also looks to be losing some of its pimp calibre in the new model. Boxier headlights, a less pronounced grille, less elaboration around the fog lights, and a smoothed out front end are just a few of the details noticed. Inside, the car gets new vents, a rounded off center panel, a lot of wood trim, and a dashboard colored to match. Incidentally, the interior rendering does include side view mirrors.
Chrysler claims fuel economy improvement of 22% on the new vehicle, which puts the vehicle at 21 mpg city, and 30 mpg highway. No doubt that is partly due to streamlining the front; a benefit even if it strips the car of some of its character.
Meanwhile, we can expect to see boxy headlights again on the new Grand Cherokee, with less pronounced side mirrors (at least it has them), and a lower roofline. The front end has been smoothed out, to accomadate the new headlights. Previously, it was rippled around the round lamps. This actually gives it a bit of a better look, more akin to what a Jeep should look like. Designers either left out the gas cap, or moved it to the passenger side. Fuel economy also improves by 19%, giving the vehicle 19 mpg city, and 25 mpg highway.
Inside, the instrument panel has a major change, with the removal of the climate control system. Perhaps this means Chrysler will incorporate the system into the computerized display. A nicer looking steering wheel is included, as is a lot more wood trim. The dashboard and the top of the door liners is copper toned, giving the interior a strange tri-color look. Four colors, if you include the carpeting.
2010 Chrysler 300C, 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee Previewed in Viability Plan
2010 Chrysler 300C
By Zack Newmark
February 18, 2009 1:21 PM
Filed Under: American, Artist Renderings, Chrysler, Corporate/Financial, Jeep
Comments
iseenitall
February 18, 2009 2:41 PM
I agree.... The 200C had curved lines and better styling then the 300C... The Jeep it just looks CHEAP.... And I am american... Sad!!
Edited by user on February 18, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Lazarre
February 18, 2009 3:14 PM
I was picked up in a Chrysler 300 from LAguardia Airport in NYC. The driver had "pimped" it out. Neon lights and all. I thought it was a great car...for a livery cab. The Grand Cherokee I've never liked. My co-worker has an older model (late 1990's). She gets 13 mpg. It should be crime to commute everyday in one of those.
politz
February 18, 2009 2:55 PM
I thought Chrysler was going the right direction on their design language after that 200C concept, but... chances are I was wrong.
That new 300C is plain hideous. It looks like and uglified Chinese version of the current one... oh my.
The new Cherokee looks good, though: very sharp and mean, a lot less of a mommy mobile than its latest iterations. But what's about that interior design?
Sometimes it feels like all this Detroit drama is just like a reality show, with those stereotypical characters, you know... in which Ford is the hard working, all american, cute college girl next door wearing big glasses, GM is the fat, broke, unemployed mother of five running for sympathy votes and Chrysler is the wacky, cracked out, drunk ass dude doing everything possible to get people's attention.
Just like The Real Life - or The Surreal Life - the Detroit dramz is so interesting to watch for being SO wrong in SO many ways.
Such a hot mess!
cronan
February 18, 2009 3:38 PM
"Short term revenue...." these are just radical facelifts to keep the products iteresting until they have accumulated enough capital to invest in the next generation. (200C)
Renegade
February 18, 2009 3:58 PM
Hmm, forward in to the past? Well it's not a big step forward, but the car it's nod that bad, it's likeable.
awhk
February 18, 2009 4:56 PM
19%-22% more fuel efficient than their replacements? I guess it is easy to improve from those ancient products. Their products just cannot be worse. I am sorry Chrysler but I think that the bail out money should have invested on something with a return or something that can last more than couple years time.
Piotre_k
February 18, 2009 6:40 PM
This new 300C looks like it was drawn in a hurry by a person, who knows nothing about designing cars. I would not be surprised if Chrysler didn't actually have any plans for 300C facelift and was forced to do this just to fool government and get money.
Edited by user on February 18, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Bristol411S3
February 18, 2009 7:48 PM
Even the slides are tacky. I think Chrysler should be allowed to fail.
motorjedi
February 18, 2009 9:26 PM
Erm, so let me get this straight. First they thank the people of the USA for their 'unflinching support' after taking their tax money in a bailout. Then they spend it on product placement for Terminator 4. Now this? I've lambasted the US auto industry before, but I've been exaggerating - GM and Ford are making serious efforts, due largely to their successful efforts overseas (read: not V8-powered), of which Chrysler has none. The people of the USA should sue them outright.
Not only are those rubbish looking cars, those are rubbish renderings of them. It looks like the front of a detergent box with its big yellow flashy things. The Cherokee, IMHO, looks better than the outgoing one on the outside - that said, from the headlights backwards, it has no character whatsoever. The 300C is (not the 'most awarded' anything, for starters) exactly the same, but with uglier headlights, grille and interiors. Oh yes, and no mirrors, to make it 22% more efficient, I suppose. This (and perhaps the Viper) was the only thing they ever did right, and they've ruined it.
Like bristol411s3, I urge the people of the USA to let this sham of a company fall on its fat face. Then laugh at it and throw stones.
afterace2
February 18, 2009 10:33 PM
I totally agree, look what GM and Ford are doing recently. They are trying to make wise politics and give new quite interesting cars that are actually possible to sell, but what is Chrysler doing instead? They ruin their only car in the lineup that actually looks quite ok (at least from the outside) by puting in a new random front and an interior from some 10 years old korean compact, and they put all the rest of efforts to give people a new SUV, just when exactly everybody stopped buying them. Plus those notes like "reliability 40% better than industry average" in made-in-5-seconds bubbles mated with some renderings looking like from NFS3 game are just silly. Their only small hope lais in Fiat partnership. And Fiats aren't the best cars in the world either.
arnold812
February 18, 2009 11:23 PM
I for one like the new sleek look. Why fix something that isn't broken. These LX cars probably saved Chrysler the last 4 years. The biggest complaint with the current 300 is that gas mileage and the cheap feel of the interior. The interior looks much better, lets see if they got the cheap materials out of this model. Also, if the milieage is improved by 19%-22%, thats in the Honda Accord V6 territory. Sounds good to me! Can't wait.
joelynn
February 18, 2009 11:49 PM
20% improvement probably means from 20mpg to 24.... it needs to be at least 80% improvent to really rival Europe and Japan and that aint gonna happen...
arnold812
February 19, 2009 12:41 AM
What are you talking about Joelynn!?!? 80% improvement to match Europe and Japan? We are comparing similar cars here, not the most efficient and much smaller car from Euro and Japan to the 300. If it is an actual 20% improvement than it would be better than the current Accord and even better than the Acura TL which would somewhat be in the similar vehicle class.
But that is of course to be determined if these figures will be accurate.
CanadaCraig
February 19, 2009 2:26 PM
HELLO?! What you are looking at is a CARTOON!! It's not an actual car. Well... that's not true. It's the present day 300C that's been photochopped. [Or is that photoShopped?] It's NOT the 2011 Chrysler 300C. And YES - it will be designated as a 2011 car. It will be for sale sometime in 2010. Those who have actually SEEN the new 300C say it's a very classy looking car. Craig!! :o)
GMdoomed
February 20, 2009 8:48 AM
the 300C is a cheap Bently and the Jeep has same old style I prefer Ford European cars they look sexy
beevo
April 9, 2009 8:01 AM
Wow, loads of comments from "world" posters whom probably have never set foot in a Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep. Does thou America bashing know no bounds? As an American that has lived in Germany and Korea for several years, I am amazed at the world's view of our auto industry. Ignorance is bliss, no doubt. A little understanding of the driving habits and vastness of the US Interstate would serve you well. We simply cannot purchase loads of 1.8L engine compacts to traverse around in. We do not have the mass transit the all-knowing Europeans have. Our oppressive safety standards adds hundres of pounds of extra weight to cars thus requiring higher output engines. The official car of the American small business is the pick-up truck which doubles as a passenger vehicle. Some people here mock a 20% gain in fuel efficiency. Are you kidding me? Honestly, what do you think the much beloved Toyota Camry gets? Wake-up call: it is about 21 MPG city....the same as the Hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe.
The Jeep is not intended to be in the same segment as your beloved BMW SUVs. We Americans are a recreational sort...loads of towing and off-roading. Millions of Americans pull boats, water-craft, ATV's, etc. He also tend to tramp into the woods on a regular basis for camping, hiking, mountainbiking, and skiing. A Jeep Cherokee is the #1 vehicle in America for this segment...period. The Toyota doesn't match....plus their MPG numbers are the same.
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