Mixed messages have come out of Chrysler regarding its future small car offerings, with some images and information suggesting a sedan will replace the Caliber, while others suggest a hatchback will return.
Leftlane commissioned an illustration based on a leaked image last year that took the form of a hatchback, but whether this illustration will be accurate or not will likely be confirmed at the upcoming 2012 North American International Auto Show, according to Wards Auto. A name has not yet been publicly revealed, but there is a strong chance Dodge will ditch Caliber and market the compact car as an entirely new vehicle – which it will be.
What is known about the car is that it will ride on an entirely new platform, known as the Compact Wide platform. The Compact Wide platform is expected to underpin a million units per year in the Fiat-Chrysler family by 2014.
“In developing the Compact architecture, we looked for best-in-class performances in terms of handling and steering response, weight-to-power ratio; noise, vibration and harshness, active and passive safety,” Stefano Re Fiorentin, Fiat’s head of advanced engineering told Automotive News.
Details of the new platform are expectedly sparse, but Chrysler did release that the new Compact Wide platform will utilize 84 percent high and ultrahigh strength steel – up from only 65 percent in Fiat’s previous C-platform.
Although Chrysler hasn’t directly confirmed which engines will be found in the Dodge variation of the Compact Wide platform, but based on earlier reports of the future engine lineup, we expect a new 1.4-liter unit as the base engine, with a turbocharged version of the same engine as a premium or sport offering. The new 1.4-liter engine is Fiat-sourced, known as FIRE, and contains Multiair technology. Fiat coined the term FIRE referring to “fully integrated robotized engine,” which describes the fully automated engine production process.
The 1.4-liter I-4 cylinder engines will feature 4 valves per cylinder and utilize fully variable-valve actuation, or FVVA, which is commonly known as Multiair. The Multiair technology helps to increase power by as much as 10 percent, increase torque by as much as 15 percent and reduce emissions and fuel consumption by up to 10 percent. The naturally aspirated engine is good for 100 horsepower and 95 lb-ft., while the turbocharged variant receives a significant bump to 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft.
Marchionne also indicated that they expect to sell 700,000 Chrysler group vehicles per year on this platform, and 300,000 in Europe by 2014.
References
1. ‘Wards -(Subs. req.)….’ view
2. ‘Report: 2013 Dodge…’ view
3. ‘New Fiat platform will…’ view
No comments:
Post a Comment