Seems that the only thing they have going for them is the Neon SRT-4. With a universally known and revered symbol like the Hemi, they could have offered a decent 2-door sports or muscle car with the hemi, instead of a rough-riding pickup, a dull Intrepid retread, a hearse-looking station wagon and the premiere gay vehicle, the Jeep.
From Autoweek:
Hemi power, rear-drive cars highlight Chrysler's '04 products
By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
DETROIT -- The Chrysler group will use powerful engines, two rear-drive cars and two convertibles in its product offensive in 2004.
A V-8 engine, dubbed the Hemi by company marketers, will play a starring role next year as the company tries to make good on its turnaround plan. It will launch nine new, redesigned or freshened vehicles through the end of next year.
"At the end of the day you cannot win the game just on defense," said CEO Dieter Zetsche. "You cannot win it just with cost reductions. You have to be successful on the revenue side, and for revenue, you only can be successful with product."
The Hemi V-8 will be offered in three of the nine products, the 2005 Chrysler 300, the 2005 Dodge Magnum and the 2005 Grand Cherokee.
2005 Chrysler 300 Zetsche calls the 300C sedan "the new flagship of the Chrysler brand. With the Hemi engine, well equipped, it will be priced below $35,000." Chrysler estimates 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 6.3 seconds for a car equipped with the optional 340-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. The "C" designation will only be given to cars with the Hemi engine.Zetsche said the base model 300 sedan, equipped with a 2.7-liter V-6, will start at about $25,000.
The 300 replaces the Concorde and the 300 M sedans. Sales begin in April.
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible The PT Cruiser's convertible will go on sale in March. Zetsche said the "pretty stiff body structure will minimize mirror shake," adding that it will be "the most quiet convertible in the segment."The car will feature a pass-through under the convertible top. With the rear seats folded forward, long narrow objects can be carried inside the car.
2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited The Wrangler Unlimited will be 15 inches longer than a conventional Wrangler, resulting in 2 inches more rear seat space and 13 inches of additional cargo space. To achieve the extra room, the wheelbase is stretched 10 inches.Additionally, the Wrangler's towing capability is increased to 3,500 pounds and off-road capability is improved. Sales begin in April.
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee The redesigned Grand Cherokee goes on sale in October. Among the product highlights: the Hemi V-8; four-wheel-drive with electronically limited slip differential, and the addition of independent front suspension. The Hemi V-8, the first used in a Jeep vehicle, will provide 47 percent more power than the V-8 in the 2004 model.2005 Dodge Magnum The wagon, with the optional 340-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, will go from
0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. It will be positioned as a performance vehicle, not a traditional family wagon.Options include all-wheel drive, electronic stability control, navigation system, hands-free telephone system and self-sealing tires. Sales begin in May.
Both the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum share components with the Mercedes-Benz E class, such as the automatic transmission, electrical architecture and steering column.