Upcoming Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps

Engines

Phoenix V6 engines

Engineered largely in the United States, the Phoenix V6 engines will replace current V6 engines starting in model-year 2010 and finishing in model year 2014. The Phoenix engines have a modular base, so numerous variants will have different prices, power, and economy. Flexible assembly lines will allow the mix to be changed quickly. They might spawn four-cylinder and V8 versions. The Phoenix engines are scheduled to start production in summer 2009, with actual non-prototype, for-real-vehicles production starting at the end of 2009.

World Engine, direct injection, turbocharging

According to Automotive News, Chrysler is set to start using smaller four-cylinder engines assisted by turbochargers to raise gas mileage; they are also expected to use direct injection on their four cylinders. Certainly Chrysler is experimenting with direct injection turbocharged four-cylinders; we are unsure of whether the World Engine will benefit or whether Chrylser will create or buy a four-cylinder engine for these technologies. Some have expressed admiration for the production consistency and tight tolerances of the General Motors Ecotech four-cylinder; with the proper heads and fuel delivery (that is to say, turbocharged direct injection) it could probably produce far more power than it currently delivers. The Phoenix engine is another possible candidate - designed to be modular and inexpensive to produce, the Phoenix would be a strong candidate for replacing the unloved World Engines.

Diesels

The Mercedes diesel powering Grand Cherokees - with a surprising majority share in Canada, but low sales in the United States - will be replaced around 2010 by the 4.2 liter Cummins V6 built in a brand new factory. This and a Cummins V8 diesel will both be used in Dodge Ram pickups as well. Chrysler is reportedly studying the possibility of selling Mercedes-diesel versions of the Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger in the U.S. as well; they are currently sold in Europe (every vehicle Chrysler sells in Europe, aside from the Viper, can be bought with a diesel). Jeep is also a candidate for a diesel engine.

Hybrids

The Durango and Aspen hybrids are already out, but those are just the first. They use the system that essentially builds around an automatic transmission, developed with GM and BMW, and meant for rear wheel drive vehicles only. Those are labelled as the Two Mode Hybrid, and can use electric power alone at speeds up to around 25 mph; gas mileage is supposed to rise about 25% overall, with 20 mpg in the city for the big vehicles. In 2010, the Ram 1500 will get the system.

A front wheel drive version is expected at some point down the line. Chrysler is also looking into mild hybrid systems that cannot run entirely on electricity, but can recapture energy from the brakes and shut off the engine when the car is stopped with seamless restarts; and pure electric cars are now a “definite” in the sales plan.

Transmissions

Transmissions page.

Automatically operated manual transmission (dual-clutch)

Chrysler will be producing this new automatically operated, dual-clutch manual transmission with Getrag. There appear to be two versions - a seven-speed, rear wheel drive version and a six-speed, front wheel drive version. The rear wheel drive version might have been meant for the Chassis Cabs and heavy duty trucks, based on its duty rating (and may not be produced). The front drive version has already been confirmed as being for minivans. Production is being limited for cost reasons, so the original ambitions for this transmission might not be realized. That said, the plant making the transmissions should be ready to go in February 2009.

Normal automatics

The expensive five-speed Mercedes automatic transmissions will continue to be made into 2010; no word on whether the four-speed automatics will be replaced by CVTs, five-speeds, or six-speeds in other vehicles.

Dodge Caliber, SRT-4;
Jeep Patriot, Compass

Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Compass, are being made; the SRT-4 has been announced. Caliber and Patriot will be made in China for China. Caliber seems popular, but the redesigned tenth-generation Toyota Corolla will bring a replacement for the Matrix (Corolla wagon) which may be stiff competition considering the new engines Toyota has been bringing out, and the World Engine’s apparent need to be revved high-and-noisy to make good power. (Toyota is now putting Camry engines into the Corolla and Matrix as an option.)

Dodge Avenger (Stratus), Chrysler Sebring

The Chrysler Sebring is out; so is the Avenger (Stratus). Europeans get manuals and a diesel along with the fours and six. An emergency team is working on fixing these vehicles to make them more desirable while another long-term team is working on their replacements — which will reportedly include more variants than the current two-sedans-and-a-crossover.

Dodge Challenger,
Imperial, Charger, SRT8,
300, and Magnum

We now have a full page on the Dodge Challenger and the Imperial (which we expect, but not with that name). We also have a page on the LY cars which are the LX’s successors, and notes on the mild 2008 refresh. The LY was to be used as the basis for three Mercedes classes: E, CLS, and R (starting in 2010-2012) and is rumored to be the basis for the current CLS. SRT-8s are now expected to eventually use a production version of the 392 (6.4) Hemi with about 470 hp. All future LX cars will use the new 380 horsepower version of the Hemi with variable valve timing - starting in 2009 or 2010.

Specialty cars

Dodge Viper /
Chrysler Firepower

The next generation - with a new body - is believed to have been cancelled completely with the current version going on through 2010, when its factory is shut down. The Firepower (a Hemi-powered, Viper-chassis Chrysler) appears to be a goner. Outsourcing production was discussed but apparently won’t happen.

Trucks and SUVs

Dodge Ram

The 1500 and the 2500/3500 are revised separately; the 2500/3500 will not get a coil-spring suspension. 2009 Dodge Ram information. The manual transmission has been dropped for the 1500 model.

Dodge has a chassis cab also sold as the Sterling Bullet. For more details: 3500 medium-duty | 4500 and 5500 heavy-duty. The 3500 series is now #1 in its class (July-December 2007) and is expected to remain a strong contender for several years. The Class 4/5 4500 and 5500 series are expected to beat the Ford and GM trucks in those classes, though both Ford and GM have put up a good fight in Class 3. 2008 and 2009 changes are described in those trucks’ individual pages — the 3500 will go up to 380 hp.

Toyota’s 2007 Tundra has been serious competition; Toyota bought a chunk of Isuzu, and a diesel engine similar to the Duramax is likely for Toyota pickups. A one-ton Tundra is planned and may actually be accelerated to use factory capacity.

Jeep Wrangler,
Jeep Scrambler (Jeep JT)

A concept pickup, called the Scrambler, was closely based on the Wrangler; later, the Jeep JT, essentially the same thing, was created. Jeep’s new plant is expected to produce 150,000 Wranglers and (eventually) Scramblers, while it only produced 98,500 Wranglers last year. For details: Two door Wrangler - Four door Wrangler (Unlimited) - Scrambler pickup. The Scambler appears to be out until at least 2008, but the limited production AEV Brute may be increased in number and cut in cost thanks to Jeep involvement.

Jeep Rescue

The Dodge Ram-based Jeep could make a mockery of the H2 (which weighs 6,400 pounds, does 0-60 in about 10 seconds, and gets about 10 mpg...about the same as the Ram Mega Cab). Related are Chrysler's so-far-unsuccessful efforts to get a military contract for the Humvee replacement. However, there doesn't seem to have been any action lately, and the Rescue may have been scrapped along with dreams of fat military contracts.

Grand Cherokee
Jeep Commander

The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee is here. The 4.7 got a huge power boost to 302 hp, the diesel is here, and there are numerous feature boosts, with minor interior and exterior tweaks. Rumors say the Commander will be deleted in a few years, but the Grand Cherokee platform will be used for the next generation Durango, in both standard and stretched versions - so the name Commander will be dropped, but the basic idea of a seven-passenger Grand Cherokee will live on.

Jeep Liberty
Dodge Nitro

The Dodge Nitro goes on-road path and the Liberty stays off-road. The Nitro is based on the Jeep Liberty, and is built on the same line. Liberty sales were high, beating the Ford Escape to be the best-selling compact SUV in America for 2005. Toledo North, a four year old plant, is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles per year (225,250 Libertys were sold last year). Diesel Libertys may or may not return. We now have details and photos of the 2008 Jeep Liberty.

Dodge Dakota, Durango, Aspen

The Dakota will be resurrected as a smaller, lighter pickup with coil suspension. Details: Durango - Chrysler Aspen - Dakota ...a 4.2 liter Cummins V6 is due for 2010 in the Durango (and maybe the Dakota), with 190 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Gas mileage is likely to be about 20 city, 25 highway, far better than the Durango's 4.7 V8 (14/18), with similar acceleration. The next generation (2010 or so) Durango is set to move to the Grand Cherokee platform, with the Aspen likely to be dropped. The Durango itself may also be dropped — it’s hard to predict. The Newark factory that makes the Durango and Aspen is sure to close.

Minivans, Vans, and Crossovers

Caravan, Town & Country

2008 models and 2009 predictions. Coming up soon, a segment-first Blind Spot Monitoring system; a Rear Cross Path System that notifies the driver of a car crossing his or her path when backing up; revisions to the Dodge Caravan to differentiate it from the Chrysler Town & Country; and the ability to use Wi-Fi devices within the minivan.

Dodge Journey, JC49

The Dodge Journey debuted is to be part of Chrysler’s serious entry into Europe. We wrote “The JZ49 is up for grabs in terms of rumors but we doubt it will see the light of day” and it is indeed dead. The Journey has gotten good reviews so far. See our full Dodge Journey crossover story.

Chrysler PT Cruiser

The PT might be discontinued in calendar year 2009 if the Journey takes off (they share an assembly line) or if management wants to simplify production and reduce inventories or if sales continue to drop. The convertible and GT are already gone. Click here for a site discussing PT Cruisers.

Sprinter

The Mercedes van, assembled from knockdown kits in South Carolina, were redesigned for 2007. Get Sprinter information here. We now expect Dodge to stop selling Sprinters — possibly in favor of Nissan’s own commercial vans.