Chrysler seemed to have lost their way somewhere down the road to success. After delivering the knock-out punch known as the 300C, their subsequent models proved to be duds. Among them was the often ridiculed Sebring mid-sized sedan. Designed supposedly to battle against the likes of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the Sebring was never singled out for one positive virtue perhaps with the exception of its heated/cooled cup holders and deep dealer discounts. Alas, Chrysler soon found itself in a financial quagmire that required it to beg for US government money for its continued survival. It got the money, but what about Chrysler’s future? Can it still deliver the fuel-efficient cars it promised?

Enter the Chrysler 200C, a car that’s designed to kill two birds with one stone: replace the oh-so boring Sebring while giving the public the fuel-efficient car they’ve always wished was in their garage. Though officially called a concept, insiders say that the 200C is set likely to replace the slow-selling Sebring or at the very least, it will slot just above it (though most agree this won’t make any financial sense). The 200C is the first car to showcase Chrysler’s new design direction, one of sleek and clean body lines as well as sculpted grille work and lamps.

While the body is a heavy production possibility, the 200C’s interior is pure fantasy. Upon entering, occupants are greeted with pearl-colored leather (not so good at hiding stains) and a large touch screen made of glass (perhaps influenced by Apple’s iPod?). For the front occupants, the climate control and personal entertainment are housed in a leaf-like structure. To make the nature inspiration a bit more over the top, the 200C also has green stitching on its leather seats and recycled leather and nylon on several areas.

Based on a shortened rear-wheel drive platform from the 300C, Chrysler calls the 200C an enthusiast’s car. In its concept guise, the 200C is the newest addition to the Chrysler ENVI electric-drive vehicle family. As opposed to a typical gasoline-electric hybrid which relies on its petrol engine primarily, the ENVI family uses its small gasoline engine to charge an onboard battery. It’s the battery that serves as the main propulsion system. In the 200C, it can go 40 miles before the gasoline engine kicks to life (though it can be plugged into a standard wall outlet before that happens).

In its future production variants, there are speculations that Chrysler will indeed offer the ENVI electric drive system as an option. However, expect the familiar range of inline-4 and V6 engines to serve as foundations of the 200C’s engine range.



By Ulysses Ang