Chrysler Shows '04, '05 Models

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=156,175&sid=175&article=6617

Chrysler Shows '04, '05 Models
A new Grand Cherokee is among the nine new vehicles coming next year.
by Jim Burt
(2003-11-17)

Chrysler Group, struggling under the weight of a stalled restructuring
plan, divulged its full lineup of calendar-year 2004 new product
launches along with several features and pricing details. Chrysler CEO
Dieter Zetche has been on a multi-city tour talking up the new
products to dealers. Zetche said he has upped the marketing budget for
nine new products by $250 million from his original budget, though he
declined to say what that was. Following this month's launch of the
Dodge Durango SUV, the company will rollout: The SRT10 Ram pickup in
January; PT Cruiser convertible in March; Wrangler Unlimited (long
wheelbase) and Chrysler 300C in April; Dodge Magnum and Chrysler
Crossfire SRT6 in May; Dakota pickup and Crossfire Roadster in
September; Jeep Liberty refresh and all-new Grand Cherokee in
November.

Some of the details:

-300C will be priced starting at about $25,000 for a 2.7-liter V-6,
going all the way up to $35,000 for a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 version. The
six-cylinder version will also come in a 3.5-liter version.

-The Wrangler Unlimited is 15 inches longer than the standard
Wrangler, with 12 inches behind the second seat for added cargo. The
longer wheelbase, says Chrysler COO Wolfgang Bernhard, gives the
Wrangler "much better road manners, less hop, but with no loss of
off-road capability." The Unlimited also comes with a "Sunrise" soft
top, which allows the front of the ragtop to be peeled back without
removing the whole canvas.

-The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is an evolutionary design, with a longer
and wider wheelbase, and easier egress through the doors. It also
comes with a 5.7-liter Hemi engine. There is no third-row seat option.
But Chrysler plans to launch a third-row seat SUV based off the Grand
Cherokee in 2005 as a 2006 model, according to USA Today.

-A refreshed Jeep Liberty will more clearly differentiate the Liberty
from the Renegade, a difference so far only seen in the addition of a
light bar on top of the current Renegade. The 2005 Renegade has
wheel-flare guards, skid plates, a heavier duty luggage rack and a
lightbar, lamp covers, as well as a differentiated front-end from the
standard Liberty.

-The Crossfire SRT-6 will pump 330 horsepower and go zero to 60 mph in
just over five seconds. In a video Chrysler showed, the Crossfire
SRT-6 bested the Porsche Boxster. The two-seat convertible Roadster
edition will follow.