Chrysler Plug-in Hybrid Minivan Could be Gamechanger

Posted on April 1, 2015 by baysideadmin

The brand chief of Chrysler remarked on the news of the upcoming Chrysler Town & Country plug-in hybrid minivan as a game changer, and he may be really right on this one.

Al Gardner, Chrysler’s brand chief, was interviewed about what to expect from this new hybrid minivan and he was feeling very proud of it.

“If we can produce something that is incredibly efficient, that you can 30, 40 miles with zero tank of gas – that will get you a combined – let’s call it 75, 80 eMPG – it’s a gamechanging number.”

It is difficult not to agree with him. If Chrysler is indeed able to hit those numbers he was speaking of, they could be on the verge of giving the market a minivan unlike anything else. The plug-in hybrid is something that could really give the automaker a boost in the more environment-friendly vehicles it has been lacking in in comparison to the other car manufacturers. Even more interesting is that it will be in the minivan segment.

“The first to market that can produce family vehicles that are efficient – I think we’d agree we’re a little behind the times – we need to be that and the Chrysler brand is the perfect to do that for FCA.”

Again, agree with that idea. Most hybrids come in the form of a sedan, something meant for drivers with few passengers. If Chrysler is able to get that tech onto a family minivan, they could be giving the public something it needs. The people who need help with saving money are the ones in the larger vans, to be able to cut down on fuel consumption and give that market something like this could be a real boon. I only hope that Chrysler has a plan of how to achieve this goal and not simply be speaking big. We’ll see when Chrysler is estimated to deliver, which will be awhile.

For more information on Chrysler minivans, visit Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. On the website, you can get pre-approved, check out the monthly specials, and shop the online inventory by make, model, and year. You can also get the latest news and deals from Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge by liking Bayside on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

Source: Detroit News

Highlights from the FCA Montreal Winter Drive Program

Posted on March 24, 2015 by baysideadmin

We covered the FCA Montreal Winter Drive Program a bit ago. It might sound like a school event, but it is really a giant ice covered obstacle course that Chrysler set up to show off how amazing their vehicles are on winter surfaces. Every major vehicle of theirs made an appearance in some form or another, such as Dodge with the Charger Pursuit –the police variant- and the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Courses were designed to test steering and hills. While I was not lucky enough to attend, Kristin Barclay of In Deep H2O was able to and had some interesting tidbits to share about the event.

The most interesting highlight is the one she makes about the AWD capable Chryslers. She quotes a stat that “In 2014, 32% of all Chrysler 300 sedans and 30% of all Dodge Chargers sold were all-wheel drive vehicles.” She also explains that she didn’t really understand the difference between AWD and the rest of the set-ups. Even living in a place with regular snow fall makes me feel like I’m terribly unaware of the real differences.

She experience with the 2015 Chrysler 200 is one that I find interesting. Not just that I like the new sedan, but how well it handles itself on the icy terrain. She talks about the AWD system in the 200 and how it “sends up to 60 percent of the engine’s output to the rear tires.” She also got the chance to feel the difference between winter and all-season tires.

Another ego boost for the sedan is that when she asked the professional instructors at the event which vehicle they enjoyed the most. Their answer, which I do agree with you that I would’ve thought one of the bigger trucks or meaner muscle cars, was the 2015 200.

For more information on the Chrysler 200 and Chrysler family vehicles, visit Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. On the website, you can get pre-approved, check out the monthly specials, and shop the online inventory by make, model, and year. You can also get the latest news and deals from Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge by liking Bayside on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.