5 Chrysler-Family Cars to Look Forward To
Automotive News released a series of articles describing its vision for the five-year product pipelines of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (...
https://99pm.blogspot.com/2015/01/5-chrysler-family-cars-to-look-forward.html
Automotive News released a series of articles describing its vision for the five-year product pipelines of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) empire — Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, Ram, and Alfa Romeo. The articles are a compilation of rumors, facts, and inside sources that attempt to paint a picture of what we can expect from GM’s quasi-international competition. And, trust us, there’s plenty to get excited about.
There’s something for everybody in this collection of future vehicles; whether you’re into crossovers, minivans, sports cars, or good old standard family sedans, Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s lineup is going to bring us some seriously cool cars over the next half-decade. Let’s take a look at our favorites:
It is with a heavy heart that we recount the permanent departure of the Dodge Grand Caravan. Thankfully, Chrysler will continue to produce the Town & Country, and a new generation of soccer-mom-mobiles will appear around the 2016 model year. It should receive a host of upgrades that are already in the FCA family, including a nine-speed automatic transmission and multiple engines. For the cherry atop the sundae, FCA will release a plug-in hybrid version of the T&C, which should achieve more than 70 mpg without sacrificing much interior space.
(Spy shot courtesy Car & Driver)
Fiat and Mazda are teaming up for the next-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, which we’ll be seeing in the flesh before the year is up. Fiat plans on introducing its own roadster off the Miata’s platform, as well, which gives us yet another small, affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports car. This is truly one of the best times to be an enthusiast (well, so long as you can afford a new car). We assume the Fiat’s aesthetics will be wildly different from the MX-5, but given the car’s underpinnings, we can’t wait to drive it.
(Rendering of the new Fiat/Miata roadster courtesy Car & Driver)
Alfa Romeo has a sizable presence outside of the U.S. market, and many of its cars are attractive, compact cars that we think would provide a great counterbalance to the numerous beige offerings in this segment. That’s why we’re stoked to hear that Alfa Romeo plans to roll out multiple non-sports cars after the 2016 calendar year, including a midsize sedan, a compact hatch, and another roadster. The United States needs more hatchbacks; it’s likely the closest we’ll come to a proper resurgence of wagons. A sharply-styled compact hatchback is likely to take the segment by storm.
(Current Euro-spec Alfa Romeo Giulietta shown)
While Breaking Bad fans might be sad that the Pontiac Aztek is never returning to dealerships, Skyler White fans will love to hear that the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is making a comeback. Right now, Jeep doesn’t have a proper three-row SUV; yes, the Grand Cherokee is big, but it only seats five. That’s where the Grand Wagoneer comes in; FCA plans to bring back the vintage nameplate for a large luxury SUV that shouldn’t have any problems traversing whatever trails are thrown at it. It probably won’t look like the old one (damn you, crash standards), but we’re excited nonetheless.
(Skyler White’s 1991 Wagoneer courtesy IMCDB.org)
Jeep has a fine line to toe when it comes to an all-new Jeep Wrangler. It’s a body style loved by millions of people across the world, and it’s proven itself to be one very capable little guy. That’s not going to stop FCA from giving it a few advancements to bring it up to date, including an alleged aluminum body, along with an angled windscreen (for better aerodynamics and fuel economy). What’s not very likely to change, though, are the solid axles, ground clearance, and overall ruggedness that made the Wrangler so great in the first place.
