Dodge Intrepid to be replaced with - ?

From:
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=00317354

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"2005 Dodge Magnum wagon: This performance-oriented wagon rides on the
new rear-wheel-drive LX chassis. About 80 percent of the Magnums sold
will have either a 2.7-liter or a 3.-5-liter V-6 engine. The Magnum's
optional engine is a 340-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 producing 365
pounds-feet of torque. The Magnum is a high-volume unit replacing the
Dodge Intrepid, a model that sold 111,356 units in 2002."
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Basically, this continues the trend of eliminating sedans from Dodge
and turning it into a truck/SUV badge (where is the Dodge Charger?)

The reason why the LX is the comprimise chasis that it is is because
it's doing double duty as both sedan and UV-wagon (hence the boxy,
slab-sided 300C with it's high belt line).

It will be interesting to see if the Magnum will canibalize sales of
the Pacifica (will someone tell me why they need both?).

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"Reworking the Chrysler brand image is a longer-term strategy, Zetsche
says, adding that Chrysler will remain a volume brand. But over time,
Chrysler will field more vehicles that have a "premium advantage,"
further distancing the brand from Dodge, he says."
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Translation: Dodge Viper is history, and so are Dodge sedans.

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"It's a no-win game to sell 'commodity' products distinguished only by
their big discounts, Zetsche says. "You have to differentiate
yourself in the product. We want more and more customers coming to us
because they are excited about our product, not just because we
announced an incentive."
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You want excitement - you stupid ass? Bring back the Hemi-300 concept
from 3 years ago. Bring back the Charger concept too. Instead you
give us a Bentley look-alike. How can I be excited by what is
supposed to be a luxury sports sedan when it shares the same chasis as
an SUV/Wagon? How many sedan choices will I have from Chrysler/Dodge
in 2005? 2006?

This is the Mercedes-ification of Chrysler cars (very little
difference on the outside, more engine choices on the inside). Those
Germans don't like model names - only numbers. The 300M badge suited
their needs just fine. In a few years we'll have the 330, 360, etc.
I'll take the name Sebring or Concorde or Charger any day over a set
of 3 digits.

 

Pacifica is awd (Magnum won't be, at least at first) or fwd. Seating inside
is quite different (2+2+2 instead of 2+3). Using Lexus as an analogy, Magnum
is the IS300 SportCross; Pacifica is the RX330.

 

What strikes me as being dumb is that the Pacifica is so wide.... then
they go ahead and make it 2x2x2 seating. Maybe they should have tried
stadium seating. Or how about having the seats parallel with the
sides of the car. Bunk bed style seating perhaps?

Different isn't always better.