Chrysler Introduces 2.0-Liter Turbodiesel Concept at Paris Show
28 September 2006
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| The Dodge Avenger concept car. |
Chrysler took the wraps off its Dodge Avenger concept car at the Paris Auto Show this week. The Avenger uses a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine and offers a lower rear diffuser to reduce vehicle drag and improve fuel efficiency.
If the D-segment (mid-size) vehicle goes into production, the Dodge Avenger will be sold in markets outside North America.
Avenger brings Dodge brand American muscle car heritage into the global mid-size car segment. It does for the global D-segment what Caliber has done in the global C-segment—it offers a unique alternative to the competition.
—Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President–Design, Chrysler Group
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| 2007 Sebring |
On the D-Segment production side, Chrysler introduced the new Chrysler Sebring with a choice of four engines in Europe. (Earlier post.) Standard is a 2.0-liter gasoline World Engine with dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT), and available are a 2.4-liter gasoline World Engine with dual VVT and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine. Available at a later stage in Europe will be an enhanced 2.7-liter V-6 gasoline engine.
The diesel engine will deliver an estimated 140 horsepower (103 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque.
The new Chrysler Sebring is the first Chrysler Group D-segment production vehicle to offer a diesel powertrain—and right-hand-drive availability. The new Sebring is available outside North America in two models, Sebring Touring and Sebring Limited, and will begin to arrive to international dealerships in the first half of 2007.
Chrysler and Dr. Z have got to get these to the consumers promptly. The high gas prices have put DaimlerChrysler in a bind. With Dodge not selling their pickups and SUVs, they are hurting.
_The Sebring looks are not bad at all. It got some cue from Benz, but with an edgier look.
Posted by: allen Z | 28 September 2006 at 03:01 PM
"It got some cue from Benz" !! Try out right plagiarism.
Posted by: Dursun | 28 September 2006 at 09:28 PM
Too bad the Diesel won't be offered in the U.S.
I think it is a VW Diesel Engine? Yes?
Posted by: waltd | 28 September 2006 at 11:42 PM
Dursun, how does one plagiarize themselves? Mercedes Benz owns Chrysler, they owe it to themselves to give the cars a family resemblance. I'd love to see the 140hp turbodiesel version sold world-wide, too. That's plenty of power for a midsize sedan, especially given all the torque you get with diesel engines.
Posted by: Sid Hoffman | 29 September 2006 at 12:47 AM
What is the concept? That powertrain certainly isn't, it is already very common. Indeed that is plenty of power and more than enough torque likely around 1800 rpms. Matter of fact, I think you would have trouble coming up with a use for it all...
JRod.
Posted by: JRod | 29 September 2006 at 03:15 AM
Return of the Dodge Avenger after a 12 year hiatus (stopped production in 95 I believe) is the concept here.
Posted by: Patrick | 29 September 2006 at 08:11 AM
2.0 diesel. Yummy.
Posted by: nemo | 29 September 2006 at 08:35 AM
"Avenger brings Dodge brand American muscle car heritage into the global mid-size car segment..—it offers a unique alternative to the competition."
Everybody wants to look like an imperialist American nowadays.
Concepts? These are very mundane. Details re:great fuel economy would be helpful.
Posted by: fyi CO2 | 29 September 2006 at 10:17 AM
Great, Chrysler is yet another American auto company to provide more power options (diesel) to countries other than at home. They really maximize potentials for profits. Not!
Posted by: Jeff | 29 September 2006 at 10:39 AM
Chrysler is a German company. Dr. Z replaced Lee Iaccoca a few years back.
Posted by: fyi CO2 | 29 September 2006 at 12:39 PM
And the Dr. Z commercials are about as brilliant as the Iaccocoa commercials!
Like Jeff said: Where's the diesel for the US market?
Posted by: Rich | 29 September 2006 at 01:09 PM
JRod: You'd use that power towing a trailer through mountains, but you wouldn't have to downshift to do it.
(Speaking from VW TDI experience here.)
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 29 September 2006 at 07:24 PM
JRod -
DCX's concept is to establish Dodge as a new brand alongside MB in Europe. The sporty, aggressive styling and lower price points are supposed to differentiate it. Historically, US cars have been exotics here so establishing Dodge in Europe is a longer term objective.
Technically, there is really very little that differentiates this offering. The whole thing is mostly marketing spin, which is why fyi CO2's comment is pertinent. Success in the marketplace may have to wait until Bush is out of office.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 01 October 2006 at 08:03 AM