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My 5 Favorite New Cars - Hemi - Concept Cars - Economy
You may have noticed that many of Dodges designs on their cars have been around for a while. Most of the models have remained unchanged since the early to mid 90's. There will be three major deciding factors on how well Dodges will sell in the next few years:
1. One word- Hemi. The hemi will need to be expanded from the standard 345 horse engine only found in trucks. The hemi will need a V6 version for medium sized cars like the Stratus or its replacement and for the Intrepid or its replacement. Chrysler has plans for a 400 horsepower supercharged Hemi for a large car (300C) and Dodges attempt at the new craze, station wagons (Magnum SRT-8). I would expect the supercharged hemi to be an option on trucks, but have power more concentrated on torque and less on horsepower. Dodge would need one more variation on the hemi to do itself good, but not to disgrace the Hemi name on a 4- cylinder, oh no, there need to be a V-10 Hemi. What on earth would anyone do with a V-10 Hemi? It could have 2 different uses, replace the V-10 found in the heavy duty Rams and have engineers tweak out about 600 horses for the Viper.
2. Concept looking cars- Dodge and Chrysler need to put a more futuristic look on all of the new models the make (more below). I have seen some of the cars at the auto shows via internet, and they look very exciting. With it being time to do some remodeling around the car lineup, I don't think that they can just gradually turn to concept cars in the next 2 or 3 changes (8-15 years), because that would make them fall way behind the times when Ford and Chevy begin to make futuristic cars. Dodge needs to lead the way like they have with their trucks. Expect to see, within the next 2-3 years, the following model be created, revamped or replaced: Neon, Stratus, Intrepid, Durango, Dakota, Charger!, Station Wagon, full size van, maybe the Caravan, maybe Razor, Viper, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, a Jeep Truck, a Jeep car, Chrysler Sebring, 300 series, LX, LH, and possibly for Plymouth to come back to make plain Jane cars. Also, Mercedes bought the Chrysler Corp., so expect some of the cars to share parts with Mercedes.
3. The economy- The economy is awful right now as we all know, and Chrysler is closing lots of factories and firing loads of people. I'm not sure that Dodge and Chrysler can do all of this expansion when they don't have the means to make this many cars. This will be a major thorn in the side of expansion.
Now, lets take a look at some of the new models:
The next Neon, probably the 2005, will probably be based on the Mitsubishi Lancer body because of its ability to have four wheel drive and its popularity among its target audience: Teens with rich parents and 20 somethings. It will probably has styling features similar to its present ones, but a head and taillight update. It will also probably be a force to be dealt with on the track, similar to the SRT-4, but with 4wd.
I don't expect the name to stay around, as hardly anybody knows about it. Also, the styling should be far different from the current. I would expect an optional V-6 hemi, standard rear wheel drive and styling cues from the Ram. The concept car used to show a possible look of the car was called the Avenger, I expect that it will stick as it is catchy and fitting. The elongated hood and little glass should be a theme in nearly all of the upcoming cars. This is one of my personal favorites.
The future for the Intrepid looks bleak to me. As of now, I can't tell the difference between it and a Stratus, and will likely be fazed out or "replaced" by the Charger. I use that term loosely because they are entirely different cars. Time to say good bye to the ugly duckling.
The Durango has been a very popular SUV for people who want more sport than an Explorer but more utility than a hatchback. I think, with the release of the Durango concept, that it will set its sites on the Expedition by getting much bigger and having 3rd row fold down seats. I also think the Magnum will replace Durango's current niche in the industry. This should be one of the Hemi vehicles! It sure is ugly though.
I think the Dakota has a bright future. It is small enough to get decent gas mileage but bigger than S-10s and Rangers, so it is useful in doing actual work. It will hopefully take a few styling tips from Rams, but may look like the Magnum or Durango (yuk). If they make a Hemi V-6, expect this the be one of the main vehicles equipped with it. Probably no Hemi V-8 though, as it would be too much for a medium sized truck.
My favorite car of all time, it has about a 65% chance of coming back in '05. If it does, it would come with a 4.7L Supercharged natural gas engine (good for the environment) and would produce 325 horses. It is very attractive and will compliment the lineup well. (Mustang watch out.) This is another one of my favorites.
Yet another station wagon, this one has a 400 horsepower supercharged Hemi. Look out Japanese hatchbacks, your competition has arrived. This vehicle would be great for people who want to take the kids to soccer practice and then go up to the drag strip and have some fun. It will probably have a 4wd version too. Mercedes stability and suspension controls will add an awesome ride to Hemi performance. Looks like something out of Batman.
Most people could care less about a full size van. This one doesn't disappoint. It is expected to be very similar to the Mercedes full size van , the Vito. I wouldn't pay it much mind though.
In my opinion, Dodge and Chrysler would be committing Mini-van sales suicide if they replace the caravan with the gaudy and generally ugly Kahuna. The current minivan should last another 5 or 6 years before restyling. They may make the minivans rear wheel drive though with a V-6 standard. That is ugly$
This is a Dodge original. It reminds me of a Porsche or a 350-Z. It would fill a void in the Dodge lineup and American cars in general. Because of the economy, it will probably not be made, although it is still up in the air. If it were, 5-speed manual, 0-60 in under 6 seconds, and rear wheel drive. An exceptional vehicle.
The Viper should certainly get a V-10 Hemi. Soon, Chevy will release a super Corvette and Ford will make a GT-40. Both of those should be faster than a Viper and contend very well at Le Mans. Viper, in order to continue its super car superiority, needs a Hemi. The Hemi would have roughly 600 plus horsepower without supercharging. If my math serves me correct the current V-8 is 345 CI. That is 43.125 CI per cylinder A V-10 would then be 431 CI, but, with a very small reduction in cylinder bore, we could see the return of the legendary 426 HEMI!!! Albeit a V-10.
These two models should get face lifts in the next two or three years. Both could also get diesel engines and new regular gas engines. The Grand Cherokee is expected to get a major change when it goes under the knife.
Jeep is supposed to make a small truck, the scrambler, and will probably be based on the Liberty frame. I remember the last time Jeep made a truck, don't see many of 'em around though, wander why?
Jeep is also supposed to be making a car. I don't see any use for it other than being a rally car. Don't expect the Jeep car or truck to make any sort of commotion in the automotive world.
One of the most popular convertibles of today is planned to get a face lift and probably won't look just like a Dodge! It will probably be similar to the current Sebring with new head and tail lights.
This is my favorite of all the new cars. It has the same 400 Horsepower Hemi the Magnum does, but it isn't a station wagon. It is a luxury car with very nice styling, rear wheel drive, shares many parts with the Mercedes E-Class. The grill on it would intimidate anyone watching their rear view mirror. It should rival Lincoln Town cars, Cadillac's $70,000 car and everything below it, BMW's, Jaguars, Infinities, and even Mercedes for the hearts of wealthy people everywhere. I believe that it is a Mercedes that is better looking and way more powerful than anything in its class except the $70,000 Caddy V-12 or 10 or whatever it is. It should probably cost around $45,000-50,000. Expect this to make a huge impact on the luxury car market.
These two cars will probably be given a facelift and a possible Hemi, especially if a V-6 is made. These regular Joe cars may get the boost they need to compete with uh... other regular Joe cars.
Plymouth has been known only for minivans and the Prowler in the past 2 decades. The make extremely average vehicles and may find a niche back in the Chrysler Corp. when all of these changes are put in place. I think it would probably be a not-so-good idea though, because the reason they go phased out was because anybody that want a very average car gets a Toyota. I say let Plymouth Rest In Peace.
1. Chrysler 300C- 400 HP Hemi, Luxurious
2. Dodge Charger- Good gas mileage, 325 HP, Viper Jr. looks, Charger name
3. Dodge Avenger- It looks really cool, rear wheel drive, Hemi?
4. Magnum- 400HP Hemi, sporty looks, but, its a station wagon
5. Neon- Optional 4wd, Japanese car convenience, American name and power
*Razor would be after Charger, but probably won't come out