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Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades

Posted by MarkH on 2008/1/17 8:48:08 (2303) reads

Word from NAIAS is that Chrysler wants to make some quick moves in fixing some issues with their current lineup in an effort to show that they are much more nimble now than they were when their name began with Daimler...

Chrysler LLC is readying a sweeping, $150 million package of vehicle upgrades as new owner Cerberus Capital Management puts its first stamp on the line-up of Chrysler cars already in showrooms, executives said.

The initiative, which will be marketed under the tagline that Chrysler's new owners are ushering in a "New Day" for the struggling No. 3 U.S.-based automaker, will be introduced to Chrysler dealers next month, Chrysler executives said on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show.

The plan includes intended fixes and upgrades to over 260 vehicle features, and price changes covering 12 models.

The effort is intended to get consumers to take a new look at some of the last models rolled out under the ownership of German parent Daimler AG and demonstrate how quickly the "new" Chrysler can move to address problems, executives said.

Among the models that will be revamped are the Dodge Caliber, the Jeep Patriot and the Jeep Compass, they said...

Check out the whole story here: Chrysler "New Day"

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Renegade	Posted: 2008/1/18 14:44 Updated: 2008/1/18 14:44
Quite a regular Joined: 2005/8/11 From: Atlanta, GA Posts: 61	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades They'll still drop the Compass (or, if not, make it look like a Renegade* maybe)* but at the very least they'll put some upgrades in it to show buyers they mean business. Personally, I'd rather they dropped it and kept the Commander but make it more rugged in the next generation. The GC can go bigger to fit more groceries in and navigate the potholes in the store parking lots...

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myhotwheels22981	Posted: 2008/1/18 1:01 Updated: 2008/1/18 1:01
Home away from home Joined: 2002/3/21 From: Posts: 183	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades Jeep Compass...Jack of all trades, master of none- It can't go off road like a Wrangler, and it can't out drive a Mitsubishi EVO or WRX STi. Heck, a 10 year old Eagle Talon could >SPANK< a Compass. At least the Patrtiot has a smidgen of off road capability. Doesn't look like the Compass is getting dumped, so then Jeep should make the Compass the ultimate ralyee racer. SRT-4 engine AWD. 6 speed manual transmission

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jason	Posted: 2008/1/17 23:00 Updated: 2008/1/17 23:00
Just can't stay away Joined: 2005/6/30 From: glendale,az Posts: 91	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades The compass needs to go, unless they create a srt-4 AWD rally edition...DUH???? The patriot is selling great as is, maybe drop the price $2K to sell a higher volume. The sebring is getting a huge makeover and the new Jeep grand cherokee refresh is very positive..commander needs to go and come back tahoe sized. .02 Jason

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jeepxk	Posted: 2008/1/17 12:14 Updated: 2008/1/17 12:14
Just can't stay away Joined: 2005/7/13 From: Peoria Posts: 148	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades Maybe the Grand Cherokee/Commander will get some serious upgrades to the interiors. I love my Commander but everytime I get in I think how much it is lacking in interior style and quality. The new 08's are better but still not quite there. Alot has to do with material choice and color. The gray color that is in several of the vehicles is so drab and boring. Combine that with the cheap feel of the plastics and yuk! The new Liberty interior is pretty bad and so is the Compass/Patriot. The Wrangler is ok just because that is kind of what you expect in that vehicle but when you have a list price of almost $50,000 for a top to the line Commander Overland those materials are way off base.

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weaselox	Posted: 2008/1/17 19:08 Updated: 2008/1/17 19:08
Just popping in Joined: 2007/9/12 From: Posts: 13	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades I think I agree, after the novelty of owning our commander wore off (pretty much after the first trip to the gas station) the interior, I felt, was bland and boring. I also have a rubicon and love the simplicity of that vehicle's interior but I wouldn't mind having something a little bit more upscale and comfortable in the commander. Also, what would be nice is if they rolled out a more adventerous line with the Commander and GC. I could go to American Expedition Vehicles and pick one of those vehicles out but it would be cool if Jeep had a "renegade" style Commander on the lot.

Poster	Thread
RUBICON	Posted: 2008/1/18 9:00 Updated: 2008/1/18 9:00
Home away from home Joined: 2005/7/13 From: Chandler, AZ Posts: 357	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades Jeep needs to do away with the bland gray of the base model interiors. The sea of boring color is a downside. The Limited models two tone interiors do wonders for the whole appearance and feel of the appearance. I sat in one of the new Liberty's at Jason's dealerships ... it was a base model, and it was boring gray inside. Blah... Then I sat in a Limited model at the Phoenix auto show. It was like I was sitting in a whole different vehicle. It actually felt luxurious. My XK is a limited with the buttery smooth Saddle Brown seating. BMW and Lexus owners both have commented on how nice the interior is.

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MarkH	Posted: 2008/1/17 9:46 Updated: 2008/1/17 9:46
Home away from home Joined: 2005/7/20 From: The Great White North Posts: 406	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades Will they be smart enough to do SRT4 versions of the Compass & Patriot (like the Caliber?)

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Shickdawg	Posted: 2008/1/17 10:25 Updated: 2008/1/17 10:25
Just popping in Joined: 2006/11/1 From: Posts: 8	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades Somehow I doubt it. From the article: "Chrysler also aims to shore up the image of its brands, such as Jeep, after being criticized for expanding into vehicles such as the Compass that detract from its outdoor and off-road performance image. "It's got to be true to the brand. Don't put Jeep on something that is not a real Jeep," Press said of Chrysler's emerging brand strategy. Press said Chrysler was also committed to cutting out weak links in its product line-up in addition to the four models that it scrapped last year." I read that to mean that the Compass is due for one of two things: a major revamping as the kind of vehicle it should be been in the first place, or a swift death. I don't see the allure of the SRT-4 Patriot anyways. The performance SUV market seems too small to bother with the engineering costs. Now maybe I'm wrong, and the next Compass Rallye will have the SRT-4 engine and target the Impreza/Outback crowd.

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sylvanis	Posted: 2008/1/17 14:09 Updated: 2008/1/17 14:09
Just can't stay away Joined: 2006/1/26 From: Posts: 104	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades I may even consider a commuter Compass Rallye if it was a little revamped and with a SRT engine. Until that time, the Compass is just pathetic.

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bkcurtis	Posted: 2008/1/17 18:15 Updated: 2008/1/17 18:15
Just can't stay away Joined: 2005/10/8 From: NW Indiana, USA Posts: 130	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades In the next couple years, will they be smart enough to drop a 6 cyl. MDS engine in the Patriot/Compass?

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AKjeep	Posted: 2008/1/18 4:13 Updated: 2008/1/18 4:13
Not too shy to talk Joined: 2006/10/25 From: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 37	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades 2.0L diesel is the next logical step. With the standardized emissions, we should see more "oil burners" in the near future. 40mpg here we come. Transmission....who knows.

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MarkH	Posted: 2008/1/18 7:13 Updated: 2008/1/18 7:15
Home away from home Joined: 2005/7/20 From: The Great White North Posts: 406	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades Doubtful that a V6 would fit. The 280+HP SRT4-banger would be interesting, though... even if it sells in limited numbers, it would bring more attention to both... If the Compass gets that engine, watch for how quickly critics change their tune! Interesting U mentioned the MDS, though. From Allpar: “The new Phoenix V-6 engines will feature cylinder deactivation (MDS)...the engine will operate efficiently on three cylinders when less power is needed, and in V-6 mode when more power is needed..." (Click here: Phoenix engines) 3 cylinders... quite a balancing act!

Poster	Thread
bkcurtis	Posted: 2008/1/19 21:07 Updated: 2008/1/19 21:07
Just can't stay away Joined: 2005/10/8 From: NW Indiana, USA Posts: 130	Re: Chrysler Sees New Day in Patriot and Compass Upgrades That's where I got the idea that they might be dumping the 6 in the Patriot/Compass. Don't know much about the engine specs, but you don't think it will fit? If it would fit, the V6 would make a sweet engine for the vehicle.


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