Chrysler's Mopar Dart, 500, 300C and Compass: Up Close

Chrysler celebrated the 75th anniversary of its Mopar accessories division by bringing four custom vehicles to the Chicago Auto Show: a 2012 Chrysler 300C, 2013 Dodge Dart, 2012 Fiat 500 and 2012 Jeep Compass. The Mopar-accessorized, rear-wheel-drive 300C will be available from the factory this summer for around $49,000 -- about $3,000 more than a loaded rear-drive 300C. The others are available with assorted parts from Mopar’s catalog, and I checked out all four.

More 2012 Chicago Auto Show Coverage

True to its factory-rollout status, the Mopar 300C looks like the sleeper of the bunch, with subtle blue stripes and matching wheels. Pop the hood, and Chrysler's 5.7-liter V-8 has blue etching. Thanks to a 3.91 rear axle ratio -- compared with 3.06 for the standard 300C -- the Mopar car should hit 60 mph in close to 5 seconds, Chrysler says. The automaker doesn't cite an exact zero-to-60 time on the regular 300C, except to say it’s "under 6 seconds." The tradeoff is the engine running at higher, mileage-killing rpm on the interstate, but I doubt any Mopar owner will care. I'm not as wild about the custom interior. It gets a cool, palm-sized automatic shifter but trades the 300's upscale Nappa leather for blue-accented Katzkin leather seats. They feel like too much aftermarket cowhide: shiny and, well, cheap.

Dodge Dart Shines Light on Future Chrysler-Fiat Vehicles

The 2013 Dodge Dart is the first compact sedan from Chrysler in nearly seven years. That in itself is a milestone, but the car also looks competitive against the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze.

Chrysler's compact car plans are thanks to its new partner, Fiat. In the Dart we get the first real-world example of what to expect from upcoming replacement vehicles for the Jeep Liberty, Chrysler 200 and others in the future.

Chrysler has stated that the Dart's underpinnings are based off a new basic platform originally used to design and produce the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in Europe. Chrysler says the Dart platform — called Compact U.S. Wide — will also underpin most of its upcoming midsize and large sedans, crossovers, SUVs and minivans. The exceptions are the Jeep Wrangler, which will remain body-on-frame, Ram's trucks and the 2013 SRT Viper.

Jeep Compass Proves It's What's on the Outside That Counts

As the least Jeep-like Jeep, the entry-level Compass has never gotten much respect. When it debuted in 2007, the awkwardly styled compact SUV was overshadowed by the significantly more Jeep-like Patriot. Aside from the looks, the two were otherwise identical.
 
Much to our surprise, the game has changed with the face-lifted 2011 Compass. New interest has revved up its sales, as the 2011 is outselling the original Compass during its inaugural year. July 2011 saw the Compass’ sales grow 240 percent compared with July 2010, up from 1,302 units to 4,430. The 2011 Patriot saw a modest increase of 7 percent, but it outsold the Compass by just 168 units.
 
We unanimously deemed the 2011 Compass a Loser in our Winners and Losers list when the SUV was revealed at the 2011 Detroit auto show. So what’s going on?

Recall Alert: 11,351 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Vehicles

Chrysler Group is recalling 11,351 vehicles across the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands over an incorrectly installed steering column, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Listed in the recall are 2011 models of the Chrysler 200, Chrysler 200 convertible, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot. The affected vehicles were built between April 13 and May 6.

In some of the vehicles, the steering column may have been improperly installed, with either a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet. On vehicles where the rivet is out of sorts, the steering column can cause more physical harm to passengers in the event of a frontal crash.  

Chrysler dealers will inspect the rivet and the alignment of the steering column and make repairs if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners can contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Chrysler Incentives Focus on Minivans

Chrysler has shifted around some of its incentives for the month of April, deemphasizing trucks but placing more cash on the hood of more models from Chrysler and Dodge.

Chrysler has decided to bring back its 60-day guarantee program for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and 2011 Chrysler Town & Country for April. The “Minivan Pledge” works the same way it has in the past — you can return your van back to the automaker within 60-days, no questions asked. While the program may alleviate some buyer’s remorse — few people ended up changing their minds during past promotions — the pledge doesn’t really offer much in terms of cash back or financing incentives compared with March. 2.9% financing for 60 months is the same as last month. Last month Chrysler offered $2,000 — $4,000 in lease bonus cash on its minivan pair, which helps to reduce the capitalized cost of the lease. Those lease deals might turn out to be a better compared with current lease offerings, depending on your credit worthiness.

The new 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible gets its first suit of incentives, just in time for the winter’s thaw. Chrysler is offering $1,500 cash back or $750 back and 2.9% financing for 60 months with Ally Financial on the drop top. The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango now has some retail customer cash on the hood: $1,000 on the base Express trim.

Continue reading below for all the highlighted deals available for April. Most deals expire on May 2nd.

Chrysler Incentives Push Hemi V-8, Leasing In February

Chrysler has added a few cash-back incentives to its new 2011 model lineup, including more cash on the hood for high-output V-8 Ram trucks. More importantly, this time around Chrysler is offering some attractive lease deals. However, most of the cash incentives on the 2010 models are gone with the lone exception of the 2010 Dodge Challenger, which has $2,000 cash back.

The 2011 Dodge Nitro gets another $500 tacked onto its cash-back plan, which now totals $3,000. There’s another $1,000 added on the Caliber, so buyers can get up to $2,500 cash back on that model. Most of the redesigned models like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango and the Chrysler minivans don’t have any cash incentives, but they do have fairly attractive financing deals.

If you want to get a better deal on one of Chrysler’s newer models, there are lease deals to be had such as $199 a month for the Dodge Avenger or Chrysler 200 or $359 a month for the new 2011 Dodge Charger R/T.

Most of the incentives below expire Feb. 28.

2011 Jeep Compass: Up Close

The final model affected by the Jeep’s plan to revamp its entire lineup, the Compass sports a new nose that emulates the redesigned Grand Cherokee. Behind the front fenders, little is different from before. Deep-pocketed owners of the prior Compass might even be able to fashion their own replica, given an open-minded aftermarket shop. Theirs will look as ungainly, but so does the factory version.

More details and photos of the 2011 Jeep Compass

View the Compass from any angle but head-on, and the similarities to the Grand Cherokee disappear.

Jeep 70th Anniversary Models Coming

Chrysler may be at the forefront at this year’s Detroit auto show with the new 300 and 200 convertible, but the Jeep brand will have a few special editions to show off, too. This is the off-road brand’s 70th anniversary, and that is enough reason to launch a special edition for every model.

In the name of retaining our sanity during this very busy day of car news, we are simply running the descriptions and pricing of each model below supplied by the manufacturer.

2011 Jeep Compass Priced at $19,295

The 2011 Jeep Compass goes on sale next month with a starting price of $19,295 (excluding a $700 destination fee), according to Chrysler.

That’s a significant bump from the $15,365 MSRP for the 2010 Compass, but we sort of expected this because the 2011 model features a lot more standard equipment, which includes air conditioning, power windows and locks, heated power side mirrors, keyless entry, fog lamps, cruise control and tinted glass. None of that came standard on the base 2010 Compass.

The Compass is available in three trims this year: base, Latitude and Limited. The Limited trim starts at $24,295 and comes with features such as automatic climate control and leather seats.

The front end of the 2011 Compass has been completely redesigned to look more upscale, like the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. There are standard LED taillamps, new wheel designs and a “Trail Rated” drivetrain, like what’s in the 2011 Jeep Patriot. For more model changeover info, check out our First Look.

Base and Latitude trims come standard with a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 23/29 mpg city/highway with a five-speed manual transmission. On the Limited, there’s a 172-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder that also gets 23/29 mpg.

All models come with antilock brakes, electronic stability control and tire pressure warning. Side curtain airbags are standard, but side front thorax airbags remain a $250 standalone option.

For detailed specifications, continue reading after the jump.

2011 Jeep Compass: First Look

• Competes with: Honda Element, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape 
• Looks like: A baby Grand Cherokee 
• Drivetrain: 158-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder or 172-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder; five-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission; front- or four-wheel drive 
• Hits dealerships: December 2010 

If you thought Chrysler was done unveiling its 2011 lineup, the automaker still has a few surprises left, including the 2011 Jeep Compass, which looks more rugged and upscale.

The Compass’ redesign is a lot more thorough than we originally expected. It includes a completely new front and rear end. The front gets a new hood, front fenders, grille, fog lights, front air dam and quad reflector headlamp designs. Overall, the new sculpted look plays off the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is selling well. It’s a huge departure from the 2010 Compass, which looked too much like its Patriot cousin to catch on with buyers.