A new U.S. market compact sedan to be developed by Fiat and built by Chrysler is set to make its debut appearance at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in the beginning of next year, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The as-of-yet unnamed model will be badged as Dodge and powered by a Fiat-derived 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. It’ll also do 40 mpg combined, or at least it will if Fiat wants to net itself a further 5% of Chrysler from Mr. Monopoly Uncle Sam.
The Italian automaker wants to expand its 46% share in Chrysler & Friends by an additional 7.5% courtesy of the U.S. Treasury and Canadian government on top of the 5% it’s expected to get by pushing the 40 mpg envelope.
The new model will be built in Chrysler’s Belvidere plant in Illinois, which the brand is currently spending US$600 million retooling for the job. Production is expected to start later this year. Dealers, such as David Kelleher of David Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Glen Mills, PA are naturally very excited:
“We have never had a viable compact car. This will allow us to reach the entry level customer and it's a perfect fit for Dodge which has been faced with challenges.” [Like having to share a lot with the Chrysler Sebring, for one…]
The Caliber, the closest thing Dodge currently has to a Honda Civic / Ford Focus / Chevy Cruze competitor at present, does a paltry 24 mpg in automatic guise.
The new model will share the same basic floorplan as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, which will also be used to underpin five new models over the next three years.
There’s no word yet on a name, but I’m willing to discount Aires, Neon and Stratus as possible contenders.
By Tristan Hankins
8 Comments:
Please let it be as gorgeous as the Giuletta. Even if it doesn't have the performance to match, just make it gorgeous.
Why not save a bundle on retooling and just bring us the Giulietta? Not to mention the rest of the Alfa lineup?
While it might get 40mpg highway, I seriously doubt it will get 40mpg combined unless it's a diesel or hybrid (or you're talking Imperial ratings). Still, it will be nice to have something smaller than a Avenger in the Chrysler lineup that's competitive (the Caliber is awful, and therefor doesn't count).
It is a mistake to badge it as a dodge or chrysler. bring it in as a genuine Alfa. don't make the same mistake Mercedez benz made when they were part of chrysler, instead of bringing quality to chrysler, chrysler brought lack of quality to mercedes.
Alfa lover, but it this too sexy for the US market or not sexy enough? Perplexing.
It could work, I say call it the Dodge Daytona, Maybe even add a coupe
Keep the lines and Dodge up the grill. Make it aggressive and angry for a small car. There is a way to make it that way if they get away from this small cars are for the kids. This thing should be muscular and brutish. Even if it gets 40 miles per gallon. We need a Dodge, not an Alfa. Call the thing a Dodge Dart. You can even have a Dodge Dart Swinger version like they had back in the day.
why not a hatch their awesome!!!! 2dr 1.7t would be great
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