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.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Gets $3,000 Price Cut, Upgraded Wrangler Price Unchanged

The popular fourth-generation 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee sees a price cut of $3,220 for the base Laredo trim when it goes on sale next month. It will now start at $26,995. The 2012 Grand Cherokee also gets some new powertrain tech that should increase fuel economy for both V-6- and V-8-equipped models.

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler — with a much needed new V-6 that's more efficient and powerful — will go on sale with the same entry-level price as the 2011 model. 

2012 Jeep Wrangler Rated at 21 MPG Highway

We reported earlier that the 2012 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited would shed their old pushrod V-6 engines and four-speed automatic transmissions for Chrysler’s more modern Pentastar V-6. Today, we learned that the new setup earned a 17/21 mpg city/highway rating from the EPA. It also gets 18 mpg combined city/highway. That EPA rating is for the traditional two-door Wrangler, with either a six-speed manual or the new for 2012 five-speed automatic transmission.

While that score may not sound amazing in a world of 40 mpg compact cars, it’s considerably better than the 15/19 mpg rating of the 2011 Wrangler.

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited gets a rating of 16/21 mpg with a six-speed manual and 16/20 mpg with the five-speed automatic. Both models come with standard shift-on-the-fly, full-time four-wheel-drive system.

Jeep still hasn’t announced power ratings for the Wrangler’s new 3.6-liter V-6 engine, but we know it will be substantially more powerful than the anemic 202-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 found on the 2011. So far, Chrysler’s new V-6 has produced anywhere from 283 hp on the 2011 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Grand Caravan to 305 hp on the 2011 Dodge Challenger.

We already have 75 listings on Cars.com for the 2012 Wrangler, and there are plenty of window stickers and VIN codes floating around the internet for the 2012 model, which leads us to believe the model is or will soon be on sale.

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Chrysler Details Future Upgrades to 2012 Jeep, Dodge, Fiat Vehicles

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 Details Future Upgrades to 2012 Jeep, Dodge, Fiat Vehicles

Along with announcing this week its first profit since emerging from bankruptcy, Chrysler also confirmed some new equipment and special-edition trims that should go on sale within the next 12 months.

In a presentation, Chrysler outlined three special editions: the Fiat 500 Gucci edition, Dodge Charger Super Bee and Jeep Wrangler Mojave.

Fiat already sells the 500 Gucci edition in other regions. The retro-looking trim features unique exterior coloring and striping, and unique wheels. Inside, there are glossy satin chromes and two-toned seats upholstered in high-end leather. 

Recall Alert: 2010-11 Jeep Wrangler

Chrysler is recalling 20,459 Jeep Wranglers from the 2010 and 2011 model years because the torque in the fasteners for the front and rear axle attachments may degrade, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, the improperly torqued fasteners could lead to noise or difficulty in steering and handling, increasing the risk of a crash. The Wranglers in the recall were built between July 12 and Sept. 10, 2010. You can check your car's build date on a sticker affixed to your driver-side doorjamb.

The recall is expected to begin this month. Dealers will inspect the fasteners and restore their torque values at no charge. Owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

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.

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 Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited Get Serious Price Bump

All the changes Jeep made to the 2011 version of the Wrangler and the four-door Wrangler Unlimited come at a price. For most trim levels, that price is nearly $1,000. So far, Jeep has only released 4x4 models. Pricing for 4x2s will be announced closer to when they go on sale.

To read about all the changes between the 2010 and 2011 models, along with images of the 2011s, read our report here. To see the prices for the 2011 versus the 2010, keep reading. The 2011 models are on sale now.

2011 Jeep Wrangler: First Look

Chrysler is busy revamping pretty much its entire lineup for the 2011 model year, including Dodge and Jeep. The off-road-oriented brand seems to have a hit with the revamped Grand Cherokee selling strongly right out of the gates and earning positive words from our editors.

Today, Jeep unveiled the 2011 Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. While it isn’t a complete redesign like the Grand Cherokee, it does get a severely upgraded interior and a new body-color hardtop for Sahara models.

Inside, everything from the gauges to the steering wheel to the center stack of controls is revamped. The dash and doors are revised, air-conditioning vents are all new, and there are new cargo compartments, including a lockable storage area. It looks like an interior you’d never want to leave exposed to the environment by leaving the top off.

What you can’t see in the images are upgrades to the acoustic materials that Jeep says significantly reduce interior noise.

Production of the 2011 Wrangler has already begun, and Chrysler says it will be on sale by the end of the third quarter, which should be by the end of September.

While we must applaud the upgrades to the Wrangler even without seeing it in person, the Wrangler is perhaps the last model in the Chrysler arsenal that needs upscale materials. Still, if Chrysler is making its most rugged vehicle this refined, we really can’t wait to see what it does with cars aimed at the average driver.

Check out more images below and let us know what you think of the upgrades.