The Chrysler 200 is a four-door mid-size car manufactured and marketed by Chrysler from 2010 to 2017. It was discontinued due to lack of profitability and as the result of Fiat Chrysler's strategy of exclusively manufacturing trucks in North America.
The 200 nameplate debuted on the 200C, a prototype hybrid vehicle shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and based on the Chrysler 300. While Chrysler's sales chief, Steven Landry, said it had been approved for production, CEO Sergio Marchionne later said it was not practical. The 200C concept was engineered to accept either a traditional gasoline engine, hybrid or electric powertrain.
First generation (2011â€"2014)
The first generation Chrysler 200 was a restyled, rebadged and re-engineered version of the third generation Chrysler Sebring that began production in 2006. Although the JS platform had been retained, there were many cosmetic and powertrain changes to the 200. The 2.4 L four-cylinder 173 hp (129 kW) 166 lb·ft (225 N·m) engine with either a four-speed or six-speed automatic transmission carried over. Chrysler's new Pentastar 3.6 L V6 engine was also offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, generating 283 hp (211 kW) and 260 lb·ft (350 N·m) of torque. A flex-fuel version of the 3.6 L Pentastar engine was also available. Other changes included stiffer body mounts, revised suspension geometry with a softer ride rate, a new rear sway bar, and upgraded tires. The 200 was also more highly equipped than the Sebring. Chrysler added features such as LED lighting, thicker seat cushioning with higher quality materials, along with new measures to decrease noise, vibration, and harshness.
The Chrysler 200 was manufactured at Sterling Heights Assembly (Sterling Heights, Michigan) and arrived at dealers in December 2010. A 2-door convertible model was added in early 2011 with the same engine choices.
The 200 and its badge engineered variant the Dodge Avenger, were ranked the "Most American Made" sedans and convertibles by The Kogod Made in America Auto Index in 2013.
According to Edmunds' Acevedot, "by changing the name, Chrysler was able to let its midsize offering ride the coattails of the Chrysler 300 and to encourage consumers to think of the 200 as the younger brother of the flagship 300"; as an all-new generation of the 300 was released at the same time. Acevedot also noted that the name change has the added benefit of distancing itself from its predecessor, a vehicle notorious for quality issues and fleet pervasiveness.
In early 2013, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that the first generation model will be short lived and a redesigned next generation model would appear in auto shows January 2014.
Changes
2013
The 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible featured revised suspensions. Prior to the 2013 model year, the suspension on convertibles was largely shared with the Sebring that preceded it. The softtop convertible now matches the sedan's revised suspension. The hardtop meanwhile could not fully accommodate the changes, due to the stiffer suspension possibly harming the hardtop components in extreme situations. The hardtop still received the updated steering rack and rear toe link that the softtop received.
In 2013 the S trim was removed and became two appearance options, S Interior and S Exterior options - that could be added to other 200 models. The two exceptions to this was the 200 S Special Edition and 200 Super S.
Mid-year in the 2013 model year, Chrysler unveiled the 2013.5 Chrysler 200 S Special Edition, made in conjunction with Carhartt. It was offered in sedan form only, and had a suggested retail price of $28,870. The car featured unique Mopar parts and suspension that were not offered previously, which lowered the car and stiffened the suspension. It also featured custom Carhartt embroidery atop the most premium interior options for the 200.
The 200 S Special Edition evolved into the 200 Super S the following year, with additional performance improvements.
2014
The limited edition 2014 Chrysler 200 Super S was a Mopar modified version and included two stages. Stage One enhancements up front include a chin spoiler, mesh upper and lower grilles with the upper grille finished in gloss black, and satin chrome grille and fog light trim. Side sills and gray or hyper black 18-inch wheels give a firmly planted look, while black chrome badges and satin chrome side molding further differentiate the Super S. In back, more satin chrome finishes the light bar, and a new trunk lid spoiler and a matte black diffuser with integrated exhaust complete the package.
Stage Two enhancements are mechanical. A cold-air intake is fitted under the hood while a cat-back exhaust replaces the stock setup. Finally, a coil-over suspension implemented at the corners results in a lower ride height and a lower center of gravity.
Lancia Flavia
In Europe between 2012 and 2014, the 200 Convertible was rebranded and marketed under the Italian Lancia marque.
The Lancia Flavia was only available in left-hand drive markets, and was not sold in the United Kingdom nor Ireland. Chrysler discontinued exports in September 2013.
Engines
Safety
Second generation (2015â€"2017)
The 2015 model year Chrysler 200 debuted on January 13, 2014 at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Based on the Fiat Compact platform, FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) used the long wheelbase version dubbed CUSW (Compact US Wide) for the second generation Chrysler 200. It is offered in four trim levels, LX, Limited, S as well as C â€" and is positioned as a mid-size entry intended to compete with Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Mazda6, Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Malibu, and Ford Fusion.
Becoming available in mid-2014 as an early 2015 Model Year vehicle, the all-new Chrysler 200 became available to Build and Price the same day it was unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, and became available in dealership showrooms shortly after.
The second-generation 200 also has the best V6 horsepower in its class, and the lowest drag-coefficient in its class, and the first car in the segment to have a dial-based gear shift.
Unlike the original Chrysler 200, the latest 200 is only offered in sedan form. Chrysler noted the declining demand for convertibles, and high costs to create a convertible version using the all-new platforms, as reasons for not offering a convertible version.
Models
The LX model serves as the "base" model of the 200, and includes keyless access with push-button start, the ZF nine-speed automatic rotary-shifted transmission, a 2.4Â L inline four-cylinder (I4) engine, seventeen-inch steel wheels with full plastic wheel covers, cloth seating surfaces, the Uconnect 3.0 A/M-F/M stereo with four speakers and USB and auxiliary audio input jacks, power windows and power door locks, and exterior color-keyed components. Beginning in midyear 2016 (2016.5), with the introduction of a new Touring model, the base LX model no longer offers some of the available options (UConnect 5.0BT radio, six-speaker audio system, and seventeen-inch aluminum alloy wheels) that it offered in previous years as options.
The Touring model is based on the base LX, and is only available for 2017. It adds seventeen-inch aluminum alloy wheels and the UConnect 5.0BT radio with a six-speaker audio system as standard equipment. This model became available in midyear 2016 (2016.5). It also replaces the Limited model for 2017, debuting in midyear 2016 (2016.5).
The Limited model, previously the "top-of-the-line" model of the first-generation, or previous-generation, 200, will serve as the volume seller. It adds a power front driver's seat, the Uconnect 5.0 AM/FM stereo with six speakers, Stereo Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary audio input jacks, a touch-screen, voice recognition, Uconnect hands-free Bluetooth telephone system with wireless A2DP stereo audio streaming capabilities, and more, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a temporary spare tire with steel spare wheel, front and rear carpeted floor mats, power rear trunk release, more chrome exterior accents, upgrade interior trim, and more. A "Spring Special Edition" adds the Uconnect Access 8.4A infotainment system, eighteen-inch alloy wheels, dual power front bucket seats, dual heated front bucket seats, and SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio. The 3.6Â L V6 engine producing 295 HP (299 PS) and all-wheel-drive are also available on the Limited model, starting in late 2015. For the 2017 model year, the Limited has been replaced with the Limited Platinum, which is essentially the same vehicle as the Limited, but with a greater level of standard equipment: leather-trimmed seating surfaces and the UConnect 8.4A infotainment system come as standard equipment, for example. The Limited Platinum replaced the Limited in midyear 2016 (2016.5).
The 200S model is the sport-tuned model of the 200 lineup, featuring its own unique sport-tuned suspension. It adds "blacked-out" exterior accents, brushed metallic blue interior trim, available dark-finished alloy wheels, less chrome exterior accents, upgraded interior trim, standard fog lights, Uconnect 5.0 standard with standard 6-speaker midlevel stereo, SiriusXM Satellite Radio standard, and additional standard features that are optional on the LX and Limited trims. The 3.6L V6 engine with 295 HP (299 PS) and all-wheel-drive are also available on the S model.
All 200S models also includes sport mode. While standard on all second-gen 200's with a V6, the Sport mode is also available on 2.4L 200S variants. Sport mode re-tunes 11 different systems in the car for more aggressive driving. For AWD variants, it also engages a 60/40 rear bias off the line. Sport mode replaces low-gear mode on the dial shift, and automatically disables traction control - though one can re-enable traction control by pressing the traction button, after shifting into sport mode.
For 2017, a 200S Alloy Edition model becomes available, adding bronze-painted accents (front grille, wheels, and interior trim panels) to the base 200S model. The 200S Alloy Edition became available in midyear 2016 (2016.5).
The 200C model is the "top-of-the-line" and "luxury" 200 model, and adds chrome exterior accents, polished alloy wheels, the Uconnect 8.4A information system (including Uconnect Access cellular connectivity), leather seating surfaces, heated dual front seats, remote starter system, power dual front bucket seats, and wood interior trim. The 3.6Â L V6 engine and all-wheel-drive are also available on the C model. The 200C's unique "Ride & Handling" suspension is softer than the 200S, but the AWD version of the 200C is stiffer and more similar to the 200S, than the front-wheel suspension. For 2017, the 200C is renamed 200C Platinum, and is basically the same vehicle as the 200C, except with a new name. The 200C Platinum replaced the 200C in midyear 2016 (2016.5).
Production
The 200 continued in production at Sterling Heights Assembly with the plant's paint shop received upgrades to facilitate production. 2015 Chrysler 200 production assembly began in May 2014, a month prior to going on sale. The vehicle had a base price of $21,700 excluding a $995 destination charge.
The 200 is equipped with either a 2.4Â L TigerShark (184-hp and 173-lb ft) or 3.6Â L Pentastar engine (295-hp and 262-lb ft) both matched to a 9-speed automatic transmission. An all wheel drive system is available with the 3.6Â L engine, including a fully disconnecting rear drive axle to improve fuel efficiency. The system detects adverse road conditions and engages, sending power to all 4 wheels. The system disengages when increased traction is no longer needed. The 200 would also offer a stop/start system to aid fuel efficiency with the 2.4Â L TigerShark engine.
Production of the Chrysler 200 ended on December 2, 2016 at Sterling Heights Assembly. Chrysler restructured the 200's final model lineup to add new models and packages with fewer options for 2017. The new models debuted midyear 2016 as 2016.5 models. The new models included Touring, Limited Platinum, 200S Alloy Edition, and 200C Platinum, which replaced the Limited (Touring) and 200C (200C Platinum) models respectively. The 2017 model year production run was exactly four months, with enough dealer supply to last through midyear 2017.
Equipment
Most equipment listed below is either optional, or only included on some models
- SafetyTec System (Only available optionally on 200C)
- Full speed-range adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go
- Full-speed forward collision warning (FCW) with active braking
- Lane departure warning with lane keep assist
- Blind spot monitoring system
- Also included on the optional SafetyTec system for the 200C, but available as an option on other models
- Rear backup camera
- Electric park brake with Safehold
- Parallel and perpendicular Park assist
- Uconnect systems: Bluetooth streaming audio, Uconnect voice command and Bluetooth (with Uconnect access). The 8.4AN System adds navigation, featuring full-color 3-D graphics and HD Radio.
- 7-inch customizable driver information display (DID) electronic instrument cluster
- Standard nine-speed automatic transmission with Rotary E-shift
- Keyless Enter 'n Gol
Technology features include a 7-inch LED screen full color instrument cluster, standard electronic rotary dial replacing the console shifter, push button start, an available 8.4 inch Uconnect(TM) touch screen and a hands off the steering wheel automated parking system. An open pass through center console provides storage. An Alpine 9 speaker and subwoofer system as well as a dual panoramic sunroof are available options on 200S and 200C trims while Limited trims are available with a traditional single panel sunroof.
Safety
Discontinuation
After its first year in production, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne said the Chrysler 200 would "run its course" under the current Compact US Wide architecture, pointing to the car being discontinued. While in his initial announcement of this news, he criticized the car's rear-door entry - some have argued this may not be due to the car's quality or success - particularly as the second-generation Chrysler 200 has been a high volume seller for FCA.
Instead, more evidence points to FCA's stronger sales in trucks and SUVs being a primary reason for discontinuation. FCA also discontinued the Dodge Dart, FCA's other CUSW car - while maintaining production of the Jeep Cherokee SUV, and Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which are mechanically similar to the Chrysler 200, share a platform and many parts.
Mr. Marchionne had said that he would be willing to continue production of the Chrysler 200, if another automaker continued it - though he did not specify if he was seeking another manufacturer to produce the 200 as-is, or as a captive import of another vehicle. Either solution would not impact FCA's CAFE margins, thus allowing it to continue selling the cars while existing as primarily a truck manufacturer in the United States.
On July 26, FCA announced that Chrysler 200 production at the Sterling Heights plant would end in December 2016. After a short run as a 2017 model, production of the Chrysler 200 ended on December 2, 2016.
In a January 9, 2017 interview with Autoblog, Marchionne explained the decision to end production on the vehicle and not offering a replacement for the United States or Canada: "I can tell you right now that both the Chrysler 200 and the Dodge Dart, as great products as they were, were the least financially rewarding enterprises that we've carried out inside FCA in the last eight years," adding "I don't know one investment that was as bad as these two were."
Marketing and sales
Marketing
For Super Bowl XLV, Chrysler purchased a 2-minute-long advertisement featuring Eminem with the motto Imported from Detroit. Chrysler was thinking about using the Chrysler 300 in the advertisement, since it had a higher retail price than the 200 and also enjoyed better press-reviews, but quickly rejected the idea since the 300 is not manufactured in the United States, but in Ontario, Canada and would not fit the company's new branding. This commercial enjoyed great popularity among viewers, with the term "Chrysler 200" being the second most-searched term on Google the day after the Super Bowl and search traffic for the vehicle going up by 685 percent on AOL Autos. Shortly after being uploaded to YouTube after the Super Bowl, the ad quickly received over 5 million views. As of October 2014, the video has nearly 17 million views.
The Chrysler 200 also featured heavily in the London-based 24: Live Another Day spinoff series of 24. This is despite the fact that the vehicle was never sold in the UK. A legally required front numberplate is not present, the rear numberplate details are for a Ford Mondeo.
Sales
References
External links
- Chrysler 200
- Chrysler 200 Super Bowl Commercial on YouTube
