300/Charger due for facelift and will keep RWD
#1
02-16-2008, 03:34 PM
300/Charger due for facelift and will keep RWD
http://www.thecarconnection.com/blog/?p=795&DID=RSS
New fuel-economy regulations are threatening to kill off a whole generation of new, rear-drive vehicles planned by a handful of manufacturers. But at one company, the mainstay rear-drive sedan is sticking around–mainly because there’s no budget to change its orientation.
TheCarConnection.com has learned that Chrysler’s plans for its large 300/Charger sedans include a major makeover for the 2011 model year. But while Chrysler’s new managers have been dropping hints about the future of the HEMI engine, there’s not much they can do about the rear-drive layout of the big sedans.
A switch to front-wheel drive could improve the fuel economy of the sedans, but reports to TCC say that there’s no money set aside to make the switch to front-wheel drive. The Canadian plant where the 300/Charger and new Challenger are built formerly was outfitted to build front-drive sedans, back when the plant produced the Chrysler “LH” cars in the early 2000s.
The revamp in the works for the early part of the next decade will be fairly substantial. Chrysler is said to have decided that a bold styling statement is critical to the lineup’s sales success–but certain features of the car, like its low roofline, will change to give the cars a more updated look.
TheCarConnection.com has learned that Chrysler’s plans for its large 300/Charger sedans include a major makeover for the 2011 model year. But while Chrysler’s new managers have been dropping hints about the future of the HEMI engine, there’s not much they can do about the rear-drive layout of the big sedans.
A switch to front-wheel drive could improve the fuel economy of the sedans, but reports to TCC say that there’s no money set aside to make the switch to front-wheel drive. The Canadian plant where the 300/Charger and new Challenger are built formerly was outfitted to build front-drive sedans, back when the plant produced the Chrysler “LH” cars in the early 2000s.
The revamp in the works for the early part of the next decade will be fairly substantial. Chrysler is said to have decided that a bold styling statement is critical to the lineup’s sales success–but certain features of the car, like its low roofline, will change to give the cars a more updated look.
While new fuel economy regs have put the General's rear-wheel-drive offerings into a holding pattern (we think), Chrysler will soldier on with its RWD LX platform into the next decade. According to The Car Connection, Chrysler plans to makeover the 300 and Charger in 2011, but the reason the Pentastar people are keeping it rear-wheel-drive isn't to sate the public's lust for FR cars, rather there's no budget to develop a new front-wheel-drive platform.
TCC's insider says that updates to the HEMI might be underway and that the new styling direction of the 300 will maintain the sedan's gangsta cues, but the low roofline will probably be nixed in favor of a larger greenhouse.
[Source: The Car Connection]
TCC's insider says that updates to the HEMI might be underway and that the new styling direction of the 300 will maintain the sedan's gangsta cues, but the low roofline will probably be nixed in favor of a larger greenhouse.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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02-16-2008, 03:43 PM
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02-16-2008, 06:31 PM
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RE: 300/Charger due for facelift and will keep RWD
besides the rear drive platform is still better suited for the law enforcement market. They are more durable , carry a load better and have particular driving characteristics that favor how cops drive them to begin with. Not to mention its really hard to do a good burnout with a high power engine in a front wheel driver... all that smoke gets in your way and you cant see 
#7
02-22-2008, 02:03 PM
RE: 300/Charger due for facelift and will keep RWD
Itd be great if the next Charger didnt look like the next gen Intrepid like the current one does. I could care less how fast it is-my dream car is a 68, so coming out with that 4 door abomination is almost unforgiveable! Get it right Dodge!