All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 | Named Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS

We’ve known all along that the All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 is a great vehicle. Now we have the independent ratings to prove that it’s among the safest on the road.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 a 2014 Top Safety Pick+, its highest rating. “The 200 aced the challenging small overlap front test with a good rating in every measurement category,” said IIHS President Adrian Lund. “Chrysler should also be commended for offering forward collision warning with autonomous braking on this mainstream midsize car. Our research shows that these systems are effective in preventing some kinds of crashes from happening altogether.”

IIHS testing simulates a number of potential collisions, including a side impact with a large SUV or pickup truck, front moderate-offset impact, roof-crush consistent with a rollover, a rear collision capable of inducing whiplash, a new small-offset frontal impact and new crash prevention evaluation. In the small overlap test, IIHS notes that “the driver’s space was maintained well, and injury measures recorded on the dummy indicated a low risk of any significant injuries in a real-world crash of this severity.”

The All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 is a showcase of advanced safety and security technology, offering a comprehensive array of driver warning and assist systems and state-of-the-art occupant restraints, and that’s not all: “With a standard nine-speed transmission, innovative available all-wheel-drive system and 60 safety and security features, the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating for the new 200 is the icing on the cake for customers, giving them added peace of mind,” said Al Gardner, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

Experience the All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 in person by visiting Dick Scott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram or Dick Scott Motor Mall.

As read on: http://blog.chrysler.com/vehicles/200/new-2015-chrysler-200-named-top-safety-pick-iihs/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=KMAug2614facebook1&ism=KMAug2614facebook1

Stop, Start, Save - Fuel-Saving Technology Standard on Jeep Cherokee

Chrysler Group is offering fuel-saving Engine Stop-Start (ESS) technology as standard equipment on certain models of the award-winning 2015 Jeep Cherokee mid-size SUV and all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan.

Jeep Cherokee customers who choose the available 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6, and Chrysler 200 customers who opt for the 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4, and will experience estimated fuel-economy improvements of up to three percent, compared with the conventional vehicle-engine pairings.

“We’re taking highly efficient engines and upping the ante to further benefit our customers,” said Mike Duhaime, Global Director-Electrified Powertrain Propulsion Systems. “ESS leverages intricate control strategies to deliver a superior driving experience, as well as the expected fuel-savings and emissions-reduction.”

ESS applications in the Jeep Cherokee and Chrysler 200 and will account for an estimated C02 emissions-reduction of up to three percent.

Availability in the popular Jeep Cherokee is scheduled for third quarter. ESS arrives the following quarter in the all-new Chrysler 200.

ESS works this way:

- Engine controls constantly monitor vehicle speed
- When the vehicle brakes to a stop, fuel flow is cut and engine turns off – events that save gas and reduce emissions
- Beefier batteries maintain other vehicle systems so in-cabin comfort is unaffected
- When the brake pedal is released, the engine automatically restarts and the nine-speed automatic transmission, the segment-exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission is engaged – all within 0.3 seconds

If a driver chooses to forgo the benefits of ESS, the feature can be deactivated with the push of a button, and then reactivated.

Efficiency and refinement are hallmarks of the Tigershark and Pentastar engine families. ESS just complements these attributes.

The Cherokee’s available 271-hp 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 is derived from the acclaimed 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, named three times one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines. The smaller-displacement V-6 helps the Cherokee deliver fuel-economy improvements of up to 30 percent, compared with the model it replaces.

Individual exhaust-manifold runners are integrated into the aluminum cylinder-head casting, a key Pentastar-family differentiator. This design feature reduces weight and affords packaging benefits.

The 24-valve engine’s 10.7:1 compression ratio aids in lowering fuel consumption and improves performance while its variable-displacement oil pump further reduces parasitic losses to maximize fuel economy. The pump is programmed to operate as needed, staying in low-pressure mode below 3,500 rpm, and then bumping up pressure as demand follows engine-speed.

The high-tech transmission – which also comes standard in the Jeep Cherokee – dispenses power smoothly for elevated refinement. Such performance is made possible because the ratio steps between its gears are smaller than those of other transmissions.

The Jeep Cherokee has earned multiple media accolades, from Rocky Mountain Automotive Press Association’s SUV of the Year to 2014 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, courtesy of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

As read on: http://www.chryslergroup360.com/featured_news/stop-start-save/

Ram Snatches Truck Torque Crown with 865-lb-ft Cummins Diesel for 2015

Ford threw down the gauntlet last year with the revelation that its 2015 Super Duty pickups would produce 440 hp and 860 lb-ft of torque, yet we knew it wouldn’t be long before one of the other domestic brands launched a volley of its own in the heavy-duty pickup war.

It turns out the honor goes to Ram, as it’s shouting from the mountaintop—a mountaintop that one of its trucks tugged into an aesthetically pleasing position, natch—that the turbo-diesel Cummins inline-six will pack 865 lb-ft of torque for 2015. Yes, that’s a full 5 lb-ft more than Ford’s Power Stroke V-8. You’ll feel it off the line.

Ram is also touting another 70 pounds of payload capacity for its regular-cab dualie Ram 3500. It can now haul a class-leading 7390 pounds, topping the Ford’s 7260-pound max despite the latter’s shady mathematical practices that involve calculating the payload rating by stripping off or substituting standard parts such as bumpers and wheels. The Ram 3500 also barely tops, by a bag of potting soil or so, the Chevy Silverado’s 7374-pound max-payload rating. But the thin victories for Ram are nevertheless huge in the pickup game, where bragging rights are incredibly important marketing tools.

Ram still trounces all non-commercial-grade comers with its 30,000-pound fifth-wheel tow rating for its 3500-grade truck, besting the F-350 Super Duty by 3300 pounds and the Chevrolet Silverado HD by 6800 pounds, and it does so, Ram says, while fully complying with SAE J2807 testing criteria. For its 2500 pickup, Ram also claims a best-in-class towing capacity of 17,970 pounds.

As read on: http://blog.caranddriver.com/do-all-of-the-twist-ram-snatches-truck-torque-crown-with-865-lb-ft-cummins-diesel-for-2015/

2015 Caravan: most affordable 3-row

The Dodge Caravan will remain the most affordable three-row minivan in America for 2015, with a starting price of $21,890 (including destination charge).  That’s for the American Value Package, a setup derived from the popular Canadian Value Package.

The “normal base” SE starts at around $3,000 more, with the well-equipped SXT coming in at $27,990.  The sport Dodge Caravan R/T, set up for better cornering and a snazzier look, tops the charts at $30,990.

The Grand Caravan is both the best selling minivan in America so far this year, and the fastest-growing, with sales up by 12%. For 2015, the R/T will get standard 17-inch polished aluminum wheels with gloss black pockets, all minivans will have standard daytime running lights, and there will be two new packages on SE and SXT. Both include Blacktop and UConnect Hands-Free; one adds a power driver’s seat ($995) and the other, the power window group ($1,195).

Timing for the new “RU” series minivans is uncertain, with a factory closure late in 2014 indicating an early 2015 launch, but Sergio Marchionne most recently projecting new minivans for early 2016.  Some sources have said that the current Caravan will continue for one or two years afterwards, while a full-size crossover is being designed and tested.

Chrysler Town & Country starts where Dodge Caravan ends, with the base LX at $30,990.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2014/08/2015-caravan-most-affordable-3-row

New Platinum, LX minivans

For 2015, Chrysler will add new minivans to both the top and the bottom of the price charts.

A new Limited Platinum actually lowers the top starting price of Chrysler minivans to $40,990, including destination. It includes everything in the 2014 Chrysler Town & Country Limited, but adds a power folding third row seat and the power sunroof — at less than the price of the 2014 Limited.

At the bottom end, the LX (late availability) will match the Caravan R/T’s starting price of $30,990. The Touring, S, and Touring-L continue essentially unchanged, at $31,760, $33,990, and $35,460, respectively (including destination).

Dodge Caravan starts at $21,890. The Chrysler models come with many features standard, and more elaborate interior and exterior styling. Both share a six-speed automatic and 3.6 liter V6 gasoline engine.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2014/08/new-platinum-lx-minivans