Based on what we had seen in the teaser pics, to be honest we were expecting more that this! Here’s the new Chrysler 200 sedan for 2011 and when we look at the face of it we can’t help but think PT Cruiser, and that’s bad! And at the back it remind us of Jaguar XF. It’s not pretty and it’s not even a bit charismatic like the 300C. So all things considered, in terms of design it’s a C-minus.
But underneath that, Chrysler claims that everything is either new or significantly upgraded. The Chrysler 200 gets a new powertrain lineup featuring the 2.4-liter I-4 World Gas Engine mated to either a four-speed or six-speed automatic transaxle, or the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
As for the chassis, they’ve worked really hard on improved ride and handling tuning which includes stiffened body mounts and softer ride rate, improved suspension geometry with a raised roll center, a new rear sway bar, and new tires and an extensively upgraded treatment for the reduction of noise, vibration and harshness including acoustic laminated glass for the windshield and front door windows.
Although Chrysler has not revealed the interior yet, but they say it gets a new instrument panel, bezels and gauge face, upgraded seats with a new design that incorporates more cushion material and revised spring geometry as well as new leather and cloth seating materials, new “soft touch” armrests and dash, and new heating and cooling outlets in the instrument panel with improved design and functionality.
The Chrysler 200 will be built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. and will arrive in dealerships in the fourth quarter 2010.
This article beings pretty ridiculous. Come on, this car is meant as a carryover until the true Sebring replacement comes out. They’ve done a pretty darn good job at taking what was literally junk, and turning it into a respectable sedan. Agreed with the comment above, the reference to the PT cruiser was moronic.
I think you guys are coming down a bit too hard on Chrysler. Although it’s a brand new name, we knew it would just be a refresh of the sebring with a brand new model coming out in 2012-2013. I think as refreshes go, its better than a C-. I really like the changes to the back end. I have no idea where you guys get the refference to a PT cruiser. As long as the interior is ALOT better than the previous sebring, along with the changes to the powertrain, this should be a solid vehicle for consumers for 16k. Expect the next 200 to be more in line with the 200c concept.