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1876 messages, Last post on Jul 13, 2009 at 4:00 PM
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So, some info is starting to leak out on the upcoming big RWD Chryslers. A few years ago, "upcoming big RWD Chryslers" is not a phrase I thought I would ever utter again! Here are some drawings which are allegedly confirmed by DCX sources to be very close to the production versions:
Chrysler 300:
Dodge Magnum:
It's not clear whether these will be offered as 2004, 2004.5 or 2005 models. Both will be on the new RWD LX-body platform. I have no information on pricing, but I'll wager the 300 comes in the $27-35K range. No idea at all on the Magnum; I'm a bit confused about where they are going to position that vehicle in the Dodge lineup.
As you can see, information about specs and pricing is spotty at best right now. But what do you think of the proposed styling? I really love the 300. I hope it looks just like the drawing, but with a slightly higher roofline and more reasonably sized wheels. I'm thinking of Photoshopping a '70s-Chevy-style slim chrome bumper onto the front of it...I think it would fit in perfectly with the styling, and provide some practical protection to boot (and a place to mount the front plate!).
The Magnum I'm not so hot about. The roofline is just way too low, and recent spy photos indicate that it's going to stay that way. The front end is nothing to sing about, either. It doesn't look very practical for a wagon. I like the Pacifica (which is NOT LX-body based) styling and layout better. -Andrew L |
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I don't really know what all the fuss over a station wagon is. The only people I can picture getting really excited are funeral home directors who want to replace their aging Chevy Caprice hearses. The idea that gets my attention is the convertible version of the 300N that is on the drawing boards. The concept car for this debuted in '99 I think and I've been drooling over it ever since. From what I've heard, it's going to be hitting production in 2005. I can hardly wait.
Here's the link for more info: |
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| I saw some spy shots in the most recent Car and Driver of the new Magnum/300. The magazine said that the car appeared to be rear wheel drive. However, they had a pretty clear picture of the rear underbody of the car. Didn't the photographer bother to check for a rear differential? | |
| C-T publishes very interesting articles, they are doing a very good job, but sometimes they publish articles that are not true, once they published that the Liberty wasnīt capable for the Rubicom, and so on. So we better wait to see and read the official press releases from DC. | |
| Will 300N really offer a Benz at Chrysler price? Or, will the same quality issues and poor resale value persist? | |
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Still, as things stand, the 300 Hemi C convertible concept car that came out 2 years ago WILL NOT be produced, and these new cars are not related to that vehicle as far as any styling goes. There's only a very small chance that in a few years, a version of that convertible may be produced alongside the Viper at its factory. Otherwise, don't get your hopes up. Here are more of the latest links that give more information, such that:
-The 300 will come in 2 models, the Concorde replacement will carry the "300" badge, and the 300M replacement will have the "300N" moniker. The "C" being talked about just a few weeks ago has apparently been dropped.
-The 300's will be the first out, in the first half of 2004. The Dodge's will follow, later that year and into the next year. The "Magnum" wagon will come out after the 300's, rear drive first, and then with an AWD option. The Dodge sedan will be the last to show, because it was originally supposed to be the Super 8 Hemi concept car, but it got horrible response at the auto shows, so DC started the design from scratch. It now apparently resembles the Charger concept from a few years back, and may be badged the "Charger" or remain the "Intrepid".
These are two more links, Part I & Part II pertaining to the LX's:
And, another link that shows both a large side and complete front view of the steel blue Dodge Magnum wagon completely uncovered, resides here: I try to stay up with the latest, so I hope these links help. |
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In the automotive world, there is a spectrum of 3 primary vehicles: Sedans, Trucks, and Sports Cars. Every mass produced car ever made has taken the role of one or more of these three basic automotive concepts. With the new breeds of cross overs that we have seen recently, all three of these characteristics are combined to make some fairly nice (think Murano) cars to some pretty... different and unique designs (asking you to think "Aztek" may be considered cruel and unusual punishment). Either way though, most of the new "SUV's" being produced today, the new VW Tou-whatever, the Volvo XC90, etc. are light-medium duty unibodies (don't forget Jeeps are unibodies) with fully independent suspensions that pride themselves in "car-like" rides. Let's see, sedan-like vehicles that can have four doors, one large compartment for the cockpit, rear seats, and trunk, and make them family friendly, hmm, that reminds me of something...a station wagon! For years, car "experts" have been reporting that the next logical step in the automotive industry will be the station wagon. SUV's have gotten "civilized" to the point where they nearly are station wagons with a bigger wheels and a suspension lift. A new Murano with a smooth and shiftless CVT, silky VQ series engine, and independent suspension is a far cry from my Jeep Cherokee. The biggest problem that station wagons have been having in the states (they're huge in Europe), is their house mommy image. In a world where we stress equality, the station wagon concept comes with its own stereotype. What Dodge has done with the Magnum is simply given people a reason to buy station wagons. I'll speak for myself on this, I don't really need all the capabilities of my Jeep and in terms of handling, fuel economy, and performance, a sedan is far more practical. I still need to be able to throw my tools, a couple hundred feet of cabling, and my shopping in the back though or fold the seats down and carry my skis. Also, having power to all four wheels has saved me numerous times from having to call AAA. Most people that I have talked to have a similar mentality: they want a car that performs well on the road yet is flexible enough to act as a work truck, a toy, and, get unstuck if you accidentally drive into some mud. Taking that purpose of an SUV, Dodge has simply added more sports car (Hemi) and truck (AWD) to a vehicle that already accomplished this goal. So what is the hardest thing that Dodge has to do to get people to buy this vehicle? Keep away from the "Station Wagon" image at all costs. This is car has great potential to be the coolest thing with 5 doors since the 427 Impala. It's fast. It looks good. It's practical. What else could you ask for? |
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caneau- I think you're right about how SUVs and sedans are kind of converging on this sport-wagon type vehicle. But I must say, I'm not so sure that the Magnum will be a big sales success. I'm sure it will be a great car, and will attract lots of middle-age muscle car fans who like the RWD and the big engine options, but it doesn't seem like a wise choice as a family vehicle. The low roof with small windows does not bode well for cargo capacity and kid-friendliness. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Magnum per se, but simply that it's not going to be a volume leader, and I fear that too many of Chrysler Group's future products fall into that category: cool niche cars that will only sell in moderate numbers. If Chrysler Group wants to keep from losing the 3rd-place sales spot to Toyota, they need to do something that really reinvents the mainstream family vehicle, like they did with the minivans in 1984. The Pacifica isn't it -- too expensive. The Magnum isn't it -- too quirky. I think what they should have done was not restrict the Pacifica to the $30K-plus market. They should have made a whole range of versions covering a huge spectrum of price and equipment, with all sorts of available options. If they played their cards right, I think something like that would have a chance of upstaging the minivans and becoming a sales home run. The Pacifica should be a good vehicle as-is, but by placing it in a narrow slot of the market ($31-37K range), they are missing a huge opportunity. -Andrew L |
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| Have to deal with cops/DOC a lot - workout and train with them in martial arts - they all hate the smaller FWD cars they have to drive now. Besides being not small, these guys have to carry a lot of stuff on themselves, plus there is additionally huge amount of (electronic) equipment being put now in the car + there is, it looks like in-born international incompartability of cops and FWD. A lot of deparments will switch from current Impala to Magnum by the first opportunity. This is quite a large market. And, it looks like cops now are willing to pay - the only alernative to Magnum now is the much more expensive and much worse handling Tahoe. And, last, but not the least - 5.7 engine - the real reason - they are the car guys too, armed with taxpayers money. I wouldn't worry for sales of this staion wagon. | |
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I am a regional sales manager and fortunately, I live in the middle of my territory so all major cities are within 300 miles. This means driving is always more convenient (not to mention pleasant) than flying. I currently drive a 300M about 20-25,000 miles per year. The M is a wonderful "traveling salesman" vehicle. Loads of room: great 'big-man' driver's space; plenty of room for four large adults for the inevitable trip to lunch or dinner; big trunk for samples, giveaways and all the other junk you love to travel with. On top of all that, the M is a great balance between performance and economy. 27mpg is not unusual for steady-state interstate travel and the 250 hp is plenty of grunt for all but boy-racer situations. The perfect car right? Well, the Magnum promises more of everything above plus the option of weighting performance more heavily with the hemi. I don't really care what everybody decides to call it, but it certainly is no "station wagon" in the traditional sense. There is no third seat. The interior is designed for plenty of room for four adults plus luggage and golf clubs. This is the perfect 'executive express' for the quick trip to Kohler for a couple of days of golf, or a weekend at Daytona with your buddies. I have a rep who has a Saab 9-5 wagon which has a lot of this utility, but none of the excitement. The Magnum will outsell the M which averages about 2500/month because it will appeal to a wider audience. I've been awaiting the LX 300 but I'm afraid the Mag may have stolen its thunder. This is one gorgeous design. I love the Ramness of the front end. The chop-top roofline is starting to show up on many of the newest vehicles like the Toyota Matrix, so my eye is getting used to it, and not really associating this visual cue with "station wagon". Of course, the proof will come with a test drive. I'm anticipating a big grin as I slip into the leather driver's seat and tromp on that hot V-8. Let's just hope DC brings at least a hot sport version to market immediately (I don't hold much hope that they'll actually build the SRT-8).
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