By Special Contributor Anthony Alaniz

 

There is little doubt that the forthcoming 2015 Chrysler 200 is important. The mid-sized car segment has been virtually void of any credible Chrysler product for some time—lest we forget about Eminem and that commercial.

As maligned the Chrysler 200 is, it is hard to forget the 200 first appeared on showroom floors just a few years ago as a 2010 model, replacing the worst-car-on-the-market Sebring sedan.

See a pattern here?

For 2015, Chrysler has finally found the fire necessary to produce something competitive, or at least inoffensive and of a quality high enough to make potential customers forget that other 200 car.

The 2015 Chrysler 200 is just another lovechild to come from the conjoined loins of the Fiat/Chrysler courtship. Based on a stretched version of the Dodge Dart, which itself is based off a stretched version of the Fiat Compact platform, on which the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is built.

There’s a lot of stretching going on over in the Chrysler camp.

In American, the Dart-stretched platform has been codenamed the Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) platform—definitely far from sexy-sounding. This stretched platform gives the Chrysler a great starting point to build the 2015 200.

Exterior

 

Even though the Dart and 200 are technically platform mates, none of that translates over to exterior styling. It also means the 200 no longer looks like a sickened turtle attempting to hang on to the last threads of relevance.

For 2015, the Chrysler 200 is wearing Chrysler’s new corporate grille. Gone is the large, gaping mouth of cluelessness from the previous generation. Overall, exterior styling is innovative—for the 200 at least—without being offensive. It wears a four-door coupe styling somewhat reminiscent of an Audi A7, but without the prestige.

Interior

 

This is where the 200 really excels, or, depending on your vantage point, finally catches up. For years, the Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion have been gobbling up 200s for breakfast, lunch and dinner on their drive to sales dominance.

On first impression, it feels like this is the first 200 Chrysler engineered without fleet sales in mind. The 200 has a pass-through center console, dial-selected, rotary shift knob, electronic parking brake and styling that doesn’t look cheap.

A five-inch Uconnect infotainment system is standard, with the ginormous 8.4-inch display on the options box. Information is fed to the driver via the standard five-inch TFT display in the instrument panel, but a seven-incher can also be ordered.

Engines/Powertrain

 

While previous mid-sized Chryslers have exuded nothing more than feigned interest in terms of powertrains and performance, the 2015 200 does have a bevy of neat features under the hood.

The standard engine is the 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder fitted with Fiat’s MultiAir2 valve-lift technology, producing a respectable 184 horsepower and 173 lb-ft of torque. It won’t blow doors off, but it will get out of the way.

The corporate 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, making 295 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque is available.

Regardless of engine choice, all 200s come with Chrysler’s newly designed ZF-designed nine-speed automatic transmission—the same one found in the Jeep Cherokee. For those looking for any piece of sportiness on the 200, the 200S and 200C models will offer paddle shifters, though, we’re calling ut, they will likely go unused.

Front-wheel drive is the standard in the 200, but a variation of the all-wheel-drive system found in the new Cherokee will be optional. Chrysler says up to 60 percent of available torque can be sent to the rear wheels—so there’s that.

 

Conclusion

For Chrysler, the 2015 200 isn’t looking to become a sales leader. Nothing it is offering makes it such. This is the car Chrysler needs for consumers to start taking it seriously in the segment. In a pack of highly competent competitors, like the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and stylish Mazda 6, the 2015 Chrysler 200 is no longer at the back of the pack.

But the 200 sure isn’t leading the pack either.

 

Highs

— Finally. Finally some effort from Chrysler beyond the 200 Convertible, Town & Country and 300 sedan — its only other three models

— Cabin is vastly improved and one of the most stylish, with a wide center console that recalls the Porsche Panamera

— Design is actually quite inspired and looks appealing – if a bit too much like the tainted 2014 200 — of which there are still 100,000+ available to purchase as new.

Lows

— Poor fuel economy across the board

— Shaky reliability almost guaranteed as new transmission bugs are only first to surface

— Pricing Climbs rapidly into better cars’ territories

 

About the Author

Anthony Alaniz is a freelance writer and Michigan native living in Tecumseh. After three years at Car and Driver focusing on web production and video engagement management, he branched out to focus on establishing a writing career. Currently he writes for a number of outlets covering the automotive industry, business, technology and breaking news.

 

2015 Chrysler 200 TECH SPECS

ENGINE: 2.4-LITER, I-4, MULTIAIR2 TIGERSHARK, 16-VALVE, GASOLINE, SOHC

• Availability  Standard on all models

• Type and Description  Four-cylinder inline, 16-valve MultiAir2 with multiport fuel injection

• Displacement  144 cu. in. (2,360 cu. cm)

• Bore x Stroke  3.46 x 3.82 (88 x 97)

• Valve System  SOHC, 16 valves (4 valves per cylinder)

• Fuel Injection  Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless

• Construction

• High-pressure die-cast aluminum block with dry iron liners, cast-aluminum

• cylinder heads, cast-aluminum ladder frame, forged-steel crankshaft

• Compression   10.0:1

• Power (SAE net, estimated)  184 hp (135 kW) @ 6,250 rpm (preliminary)

• Torque (SAE net, estimated)  173 lb.-ft. (234 N•m) @ 4,600 rpm (preliminary)

• Max. Engine Speed  6,500 rpm (electronically limited)

• Fuel Requirement  Unleaded regular, 87 octane

• Oil Capacity  5.5 qt. (5.2 liter)

• Coolant Capacity  7.1 qt. (6.7 liter)

• Emission Controls

• GPEC3 engine-management system with close-coupled catalyst; and wide

• Engine Assembly Plant  Dundee Engine Plant, Dundee, Mich.

• Estimated EPA Fuel Economy (mpg)

• (city/hwy/combined)

• 23/36/28

ENGINE: 3.6-LITER PENTASTAR V-6, DOHC GASOLINE, 24-VALVE, VVT

• Availability  Standard on all models

• Type and Description

• 60-degree bank angle, liquid-cooled, three-plenum intake manifold with

• electronically controlled manifold tuning valve and short-runner valves

• Displacement  220 cu. in./3605 cu. cm

• Bore x Stroke  3.78 x 3.27 (96 x 83 mm)

• Valve System

• Chain-drive DOHC, 24 valves (4 valves per cylinder), hydraulic end-pilot roller

• rockers, variable cam phasing on intake an exhaust cams

• Fuel Injection  Sequential, multiport, electronic

• Construction

• High-pressure die-cast A380 aluminum block with iron liners and semipermanent mold A319 aluminum heads

• Compression Ratio  10.2:1

• Power (SAE net, estimated)  295 bhp (216 kW) @ 6,350 rpm

• Torque (SAE net, estimated)  262 lb.-ft. (355 N•m) @ 4,250 rpm

• Max. Engine Speed  6,400 rpm (electronically limited)

• Fuel Requirement  Unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2

• Oil Capacity  6 qts. (5.7 liter) with dry filter SAE 5W30

• Coolant Capacity  8.58 qts. ( 8.12 liter)

• Emission Controls

• Integrated cast-aluminum header manifolds; positive crankcase ventilation; inlet

• and exhaust cam phasers with internal exhaust gas recirculation (no EGR/AIR

• required); evaporative emissions system

• Estimated EPA Fuel Economy (mpg)

• (city/hwy/combined)

• FWD 19/32/23

• AWD 18/29/22

• Engine Assembly Plant  Trenton Engine Plant, Trenton, Mich.

TRANSMISSION:

• 948TE/9HP48, AUTOMATIC NINE-SPEED

• Availability  Standard on all models

• Description

• Nine-speed FWD/AWD, electronically controlled automatic overdrive

• transmission with torque converter clutch. Clutch-to-clutch architecture, with

• integral electro/hydraulic controls module

• Final Drive Ratio – 948TE  3.73 with 2.4-liter engine

• Final Drive Ratio – 9HP48  4.08 with 3.6-liter engine

SUSPENSION

• Front  MacPherson strut, dual reacting twin tube shock absorbers

• Rear   Multi-link independent dual reacting twin tube shock absorbers

STEERING

• Type  Electric power rack and pinion

• Overall Ratio  15:2 (FWD and AWD)

• Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb)  FWD: 39.2 ft. (11.94 m), AWD: 39.5 ft. (12.03 m)

• Steering Turns (lock-to-lock)  2.67

BRAKES

• Power-assist Type  Vacuum assist

• Availability  Standard on Touring and Limited models

• Front

• Size and Type

• 2.4-liter: (305 x 28) rotors with (60.0) single-piston iron caliper

• 3.6-liter: (330 x 28) rotors with (60.0) single-piston iron caliper

• Swept Area (Total Front)

• 2.4-liter: 61.1 sq. in. (394.1 sq. cm)

• 3.6-liter: 67.7 sq. in. (436.8 sq. cm)

• Rear

• Size and Type  (278 x 12) rotors with (38.0) single-piston aluminum caliper

• Swept Area (Total Rear)  98.98 sq. in. (638.6 sq. cm)

• Parking Brake Type  Electronic Park Brake

• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)  Standard

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)   Standard

• Traction Control  Standard

• Brake Assist  Standard

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES

• Wheelbase  108.0 (2,742.0)

• Track, Front  62.1 (1,577.8)

• Track, Rear  62.0 (1,575.6)

• Overall Length  192.3 (4,884.7)

• Overall Width  73.6 (1,871)

• Overall Height  58.7 (1,491)

• Front Overhang  40.9 (1,039)

• Rear Overhang  43.4 (1,103)

• Approach Angle (Deg.)  13.5

• Departure Angle (Deg.)  17.8

• Ground Clearance  3.6-liter FWD with 17-in. Tire (lowest available): 147mm

• Aero

• Cd  0.270

• Fuel Tank Capacity, gal. (liter)  FWD and AWD: 15.8

• Towing Capabilities, NAFTA Markets lbs.

• (kg)

• No Trailer Tow Recommended

• U.S. Curb Weight, Base Vehicle, lbs. (kg)  3,473 (1,575)

• GVWR (Base vehicle)  4,612 (2,092)

ACCOMMODATIONS

• Seating Capacity – F/R  2/3

• EPA Total Interior Passenger Volume,

• cu. ft. (cu. m)

• 101.4 (0.028)

• Front

• Head Room  37.7 (982)

• Legroom  42.2 (1,071)

• Shoulder Room  58.5 (1,485)

• Hip Room  54.5 (1,384)

• Seat Travel   210mm

• EPA Front Compartment Volume, cu. ft.

• (cu. m)

• 55.3 (1.56)

• Rear

• Head Room   37.4 (950)

• Legroom  37.6 (956)

• Shoulder Room   56.7 (1,441)

• Hip Room  52.7 (1,338)

• Knee Clearance  71.3mm

• Rear Compartment Volume Index, cu. ft.

• (cu. m)

• 46.1 (1.305)

• Cargo

• Trunk Lift-over Height  726mm

• Trunk Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m)   16.0

• Interior Volume  115.9

• Passenger Volume  101.4

WHEELS

• Availability  200 LX

• Type and Material  Steel with cover

• Size   17 in. x 7.0 in.

• Availability  200 Limited

• Type and Material

• Cast Aluminum, Painted-Tech Silver

• Cast Aluminum, Painted-Satin Silver

• Size

• 17 in. x 7.5 in.

• 18 in. x 8.0 in.

• Availability  200S

• Type and Material

• Cast Aluminum, Painted-Satin Carbon

• Cast Aluminum, Painted-Hyper Black

• Size

• 18 in. x 8.0 in.

• 19 in. x 8.0 in.

• Availability  200C

• Type and Material

• Cast Aluminum, Painted-Satin Silver

• Cast Aluminum, Polished-Satin Clear

• Cast Aluminum, Polished Face-Painted Pockets

• Size

• 17 in. x 7.5 in.

• 18 in. x 8.0 in.

• 19 in. x 8.0 in.

Chrysler 200 MOPAR Customizations

EXTERIOR

• Mopar Electronic Vehicle Tracking System

• Wheels 

• Wheel locks

• Locking fuel cap

• Graphics Package

• Bicycle hitch receiver

• Mopar wheel center caps

• Emblem Kits

• Vehicle covers

• Production turn signal mirrors

• Engine block heater, 2.4-liter

• Master shield

 
 
INTERIOR

• Ambient lighting

• Autonet Wi-Fi

• Roadside Safety Kit

• Emergency Kit/Tire repair

• Collapsible tote

• Cargo trunk net

• Molded cargo tray

• Door sill guards

• In-Vehicle wireless charging

• Premium floor mats

• Slush floor mats

• Rear backup camera/mirror

Customers will have the option of personalizing the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 right at the factory. Through the Mopar Custom Shop, parts and accessories requested by the customer during the order process are added at the factory before the vehicle arrives at the dealership, with the installed Mopar products listed on the vehicle’s Monroney sticker.

Official Details from Chrysler

The 2015 Chrysler 200 Sedan Is All New From the Ground Up

The All-new 2015 Chrysler 200 Sedan Charts a New Course for Mid-size Sedans, Captivating Drivers and Passengers with its Simple Elegance, an Extraordinary Driving Experience and Cool Features – at a Value Customers Will Appreciate
 

• Inspired by iconic American design, the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 delivers beautiful craftsmanship using high-quality materials, understated elegance, and is loaded with state-of-the-art technology and safety features

• 2015 Chrysler 200 is the industry’s first mid-size sedan with a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, which enables expected highway fuel economy ratings of 35 miles per gallon

• The Chrysler 200 sedan’s innovative available all-wheel-drive system is the first to deliver an automatic fully disconnecting rear axle, improving fuel economy by reducing parasitic loss when all-wheel drive is not needed

• Choice of two world-class engines are available: the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine produces a best-in-class 295 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, or the standard 2.4-liter MultiAir®2 Tigershark I-4 engine produces 184 horsepower and 173 lb.-ft. of torque

• The all-new 200 features state-of-the-art electronic shifting with rotary dial

• An inventive center console offers pass-through storage space for driver and passengers, covered charging station and sliding cup holders for even more storage space when needed

• 2015 Chrysler 200 offers the most available safety and security features in the segment with 60

• All-new 2015 Chrysler 200 delivers an array of easy-to-use, state-of-the-art advanced technology to keep drivers connected and informed yet focused on the road

• World Class Manufacturing principles and a new, updated assembly plant set the table for a world-class vehicle – the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200

• All-new paint and body shops and improvements in the assembly process enable precision-built vehicles and reduce the energy required to build the 2015 Chrysler 200 by 22 percent compared with the outgoing model

• The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 has a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $21,700 (excluding $995 destination)