Chrysler 200 prototype spied for first time with new body

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chrys...photo-1003271/


Chrysler is deep into testing for its next-generation 200 sedan, a new model that is utterly essential to the brand's continued health. The next iteration is tasked with wiping away anything reminiscent of the Sebring, which the current 200 is still based on. According to our spy, this is one of the first of the new 200s to wear a production body rather than the Alfa Romeo Giulietta-based mules that are thick on the ground in Auburn Hills.

Immediately apparent is that the new 200 ditches the awkwardly styled C-pillar that's typified four-door 200 sedans (and Sebrings before them) for years. The new, sleeker roofline is almost more of a four-door coupe than a traditional sedan, which hints that this new car will try to be more fashion-forward than its predecessor. The rear deck is set off by a sporty decklid spoiler, while a set of staggered rectangular exhaust pipes poke out of the bumper.

The front end appears sleeker, and we'd be lying if we didn't spy a bit of Dart through the camouflage, particularly with the headlights. A large, gaping lower air intake is visible, although our spy seems to think it'll shrink before production models debut. Whatever the new 200 ends up looking like, we expect to see a lot more of its styling from Chrysler in the coming years.

Under the hood will likely be the same pair of engines found in the Jeep Cherokee - a 2.4-liter, Tigershark four-cylinder and the 3.2-liter, Pentastar V6. Chrysler Group's new nine-speed automatic is expected to harness power across the engine range. Fuel efficiency, not surprisingly, will be paramount, with active grille shutters to improve the aerodynamics.

Production for the next-generation 200 is expected to start in February or March, with a January debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/17/c...ype-spy-shots/

 

This should be far more visually appealing than any 200 to date

 

Good find and there isn't spy shots of the interior yet?

 

not that i've seen. It'll be interesting to see what design themes they go with, if they break the mold or stay conservative

 

it has kind of a civic vibe to it from these covered shots

 

do you really not know the answer to that question??

 

with Italians at the helm its anyones guess!

 

I'm not expecting much.

their 2010 200 concept looked pretty good. very promising. but as u all know they went with the trash version.

so given what we know, what is the point of chrysler even existing if they cannot determine such easy tasks.



but as u all know they went with this:

 

I know you're on a string of Chrysler bashing, but let me help you out.

1) The 2010 concept was not intended for production.
2) Chrysler was dealing with the aftermath of its bankruptcy, sale, and restructuring when that concept was produced. There was NO money to produce that 200 concept.
3) Because there was almost 0 funds available at the time, putting a new schnoz on the Sebring and revising the interior/suspension was as good as it was going to get.
4) Most importantly, these limitations do not exist anymore.

I don't think this new 200 will be perfect, but at least it'll be a true judge of what the new Chrysler is capable of.

 

The new 200 will be more polarizing than the current vs the concept. No worries there. The current bodystyle was made under duress of bankruptcy as stated above

 

When the new car debuts, be sure to account for an extra 30% WOW!-factor biased margin, simply based on the currently one being at the bottom of the barrel. These emotionally charged first reviews often happen with the press and Consumer Reports after a car has long been a disappointment. New Impala is a quasi-example of this psychology. Interestingly, the same bias can work the other way too. Just saw it happen with the last Civic.

 

chrysler hasn't had the wow factor in a while.

chrysler is kinda a 3 trick pony company. they have the challenger, charger and the jeep. The 300 isn't really too hot right now.

how can they risk changing up the design theme of the challenger, charger and a jeep, the challenger and charger designs are on it's last legs. It's gone on for too long. Do they keep the same design for another 5 years ? and if they change it then they will risk a lot. A lot is at stake.

 

people actually take interest in these cars? lol

 

Caught uncovered so thought we could get a thread started. Look wise, an improvement. Curious if it'll get the 9-Speed auto like the Cherokee.




Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2015-...photo-2108027/

 

...So is it Alfa based?