Chrysler Valiant Reviews

There has been a 78 per cent sales surge for the Fiat-owned US group of brands. The irony is the sales growth is being driven largely off the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is the Mercedes ML-derived luxury off-roader conceived at a time when Daimler had a stake in Chrysler.Jeep's incarnation of the vehicle is one of the smartest SUVs on the market and its $45,000 starter price has helped grab 1541 sales so far this year. Chrysler Australia spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher says sales are strong across the Jeep portfolio, with Patriot and Wrangler sales up 71 per cent and 37 per cent respectively.The new Compass has also logged 842 sales to be the sixth most popular small SUV. "The next sixth months will be good for us," she says. "We have the Chrysler 300C and the SRT8 variant of the Grand Cherokee, and there's more to come."Chrysler Australia will also take control of Australian sales of the Italian brands Alfa Romeo and Fiat from May 1. It is a logical extension of Fiat's control of the US brands and Chrysler Australia managing director Clyde Campbell says he aims to reawaken sales interest in the brands.Combined first quarter sales for Fiat, Fiat Commercial and Alfa Romeo vehicles was 2635 vehicles. Alfa models include the 159, 159 Sportwagon and the Giulietta. The Fiat 500, Fiat 500 Abarth and commercial vehicles the Ducato and Scudo are also sold here.Land Rover has been the other big mover this year with a 65 per cent growth to 2350 vehicles. The Discovery and Evoque have been stars for the US-based company. Disco sales are up 73 per cent to 618 vehicles and the Evoque has sold 597 cars to just trail BMW's X3 on 607 sales. Great Wall sales rose 73 per cent to 2863 vehicles and 11,983 Volkswagen sales was a 36 per cent increase.  

The Mopar-branded system will appear first on the Dodge Dart, and uses an integrated charging-grid bin installed at the front of the centre console, with charging activated when you place a smartphone fitted with the charging case into the bin. Charging is available while the car is running, and is able to juice up a range of devices including iPhone, Blackberry, MP3 Players and Droid-based devices The new technology will appear as a $200 option on the Dodge Dart as it rolls out in overseas markets from 2013, then progress to other vehicles in the Chrysler stable. "At Mopar, we look for every single opportunity to make our customers' lives easier," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "Our industry-first in-vehicle wireless charging system is the perfect solution for those connected customers who are always on the go."

It is 50 years since Chrysler sold its first Valiant in Australia.Based on the American Plymouth it went into the market place with bold styling and big power from its six cylinder engine. The styling of the Valiant was the work Chrysler's head of design, Virgil Exner. He was determined to create something which stood out in the "small" (for the USA) car class. And he succeeded. Contemporary motoring magazine reports usually described it as "European".Exner even applied for, and was granted, a US patent for the styling of the Valiant. It is design number 190,533 and dated 5th July 1961, if you are interested.For Australian car buyers the styling was only one distinctive aspect of the car. It offered automatic transmission, with gears selected via a space age looking push buttons located on the right hand side of the instrument cluster.Those with extra cash could order a heart, with its press button controls on the left side. And to make it complete, the radio was a push button "Moparmatic Deluxe", slotted into the centre of the dashboard. Mercury astronauts had less buttons to push than the driver of a 1962 Valiant.The front suspension was by torsion bars, and it gave the Valiant a big American car ride, so the advertisements claimed. But it was the 3.7 litre motor, pumping out 108kw, compared to Holden anaemic 60kw, which really captured everyone's attention.Back in the day, the Valiant was one fast car. It had a top speed of nearly 160km/h and did the 400metres in a little over 19 seconds. Just as importantly, the extra power and torque of the engine meant you could now easily tow a boat or caravan with locally built car, rather than having to buy a very much more expensive Chevrolet, Chrysler Royal or Ford Fairlane.By the end of the first year, Chrysler has sold over 11,000 Valiants, winning sales mostly from Holden The early Valiants are sought-after classics today, though in the early 1970s they could be had for a little as $250. I know, because I almost bought one as my first car.I purchased a 1961 Vauxhall Cresta instead, for $200. These days a good quality Valiant can be had for $12000 to $15,000, while ones need a little TLC go for between $5000 and $7000.As a first time classic car, these Valiants are ideal, because the motor and gearbox are just about unbreakable and body, trim and interior parts are easy to come by in Australia and the USA.David Burrell is the editor of www.retroautos.com.au

When your computer spits the dummy Mark fixes it So what car would you expect this technology guru to drive every day? A 1971 VG Valiant four door sedan, that's what. But not any Valiant.This one is a base model, with a basic 215 cubic inch hemi six. It has a three speed automatic, a radio and is stopped by drum brakes. There is no power assistance of any kind.The VG is a genuine one family car. "It was my grandmother's car. She won it in an Art Union lottery. She only bought one ticket," explains Mark.So not only is the Valiant a bare bones basic piece of transport, it cost almost nothing. Mark continues the story:  "My grandmother drove it for about 20 years and when she gave up driving at age 85 it was given to me".Nothing has been done to the Valiant during its forty years on the road, save for the usual servicing and replacement of worn parts. The motor and auto transmission are original. The interior is original, too. The front seat shows some signs of wear but the back seat gleams as if new.Although the body has a few rust spots, the paint work may be fading in a few places and the chrome a little tarnished, Mark's VG is a perfect example of classic car motoring in its purest form. Cheap, reliable transport that has been cared for but not pampered.And it is rare. How many stock standard VG Valiants with the smallest of the hemi sixes have you seen recently?Any automobile that has survived with its original motor intact, its interior in useable condition and the paint work still presentable renders it very desirable and collectible.In the USA and the UK there values of original cars are climbing at a faster rate than restored collectibles. They are considered to be irreplaceable time capsules. "Worn in, not worn out", is a sound bite starting to gain traction.(pic left: The 215 cubic inch 'hemi' engine.)VG HistoryReleased in March 1970 the VG Valiant was little changed from its VF predecessor, at least in the styling department. The VF was itself a mild facelift of the VE, which was an Australianised version of the 1966 American Dodge Dart.By contrast it was the engine which got all the attention. Gone was the reliable `slant' six, and in its place was a trio of `hemi' sixes.These motors allowed Chrysler to keep its bragging rights for having the most powerful six cylinder engines of the big three in Australia.To ensure we all were aware of the hemi , Chrysler brought a retired Stirling Moss out to Australia to front their comprehensive advertising campaign.VE, VF and VG Valiant's are very much underrated as classic cars.The two door hardtops have never reached the money levels of the Monaro, despite their Dodge Dart heritage and cool, clean looks. Consequently they represent great value for those looking for stylish and reliable classic cars. Buy now and avoid the rush. The distinctive concave rear window was an enduring design feature of the VE, VF and VG modelsDavid Burrell is editor of  www.retroautos.com.au

And the qualities have handed Alessi Chrysler Jeep Dodge the 2011 Chrysler Australia Dealer of the Year award. The dealership’s commitment to excellence was cited when the trophy was awarded during the Chrysler gala event last week. “All winners of the Dealer of the Year award share a common characteristic and that is a commitment to excellence,” said Veronica Johns, Chrysler Australia General Manager of Sales. “Satisfying customers when it comes to their motoring needs is the cornerstone of the Chrysler dealer award philosophy. “The Dealer of the Year award recognises benchmark performance of dealers in the network across all areas of their business, including customer service,” she said. The General Manager of Alessi Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Robbie Alessi, welcomed the accolade. “Central to all that we do at Alessi Chrysler Jeep Dodge is our commitment to our customers. This award is a testament to the commitment by all members of Alessi Chrysler Jeep Dodge to customer courtesy, care and professionalism.”

The American idol is on the way back, with all the gangsta attitude that made it a hit more than two years ago. The Chrysler 300C SRT8 has had a major makeover that goes right down to the road and all the way up to a thumping new 6.4-litre V8 engine. The number run includes 351 kiloWatts and 637 Newton-metres of torque, as well as a 0-100km/h sprint time in 4.7 seconds.The mean-streets look has been tamed a little, and there is a lot more to like in the cabin, but it's still an old-school muscle car that means the SRT8 tag - it stands for Street, Road, Track - has lost none of its impact. A two-day preview drive in Las Vegas is the ideal start to the new SRT8 experience, running down the glitter strip and out into the desert alongside the Grand Cherokee that's already had a tick from Carsguide ahead of its Australian return.The cheapest of the new 300Cs comes in from $45,000 and there will eventually be five models, topped by the SRT8 at close to $65,000. Chrysler Jeep Australia is keeping the exact number a secret until cars land in April, but the bottom line is fairly firm. There is plenty of justify the showroom sticker, from the belter engine to giant alloys and a loaded cabin with leather trim, a big touch-screen display and seriously good sound.The price point is a clever choice, since it positions the SRT8 above the Commodore SS-V and Falcon XR6 Turbo, but below the seriously speedy machines wearing Holden Special Vehicles and Ford Performances Vehicles badges.The basics are fairly basic in the chunky Chrysler, just like Australia's Falcon and Commodore, although the platform under the body is taken from the superseded Mercedes-Benz E Class sedan. The engine is in the nose, there is a five-speed auto gearbox, and drive goes through the area wheels.There is some neat stuff, like a rear-view camera and a system - a lot like the Nissan GT-R - that displays all sorts of performance information and can even log acceleration runs and measure cornering grip. The upgrade comes at a price, as the SRT has put on around 150 kilos since the previous model, although the engine has grown from 6.1 to 6.4 litres.The new 300C body is longer than the old one, which means more space in the back seat, and it's also been rounded-off compared with the chunky edges of the previous car. It's generally smoother and looks more, well, adult. There is a blacked-out grille and 20-inch alloys, subtle side skirts and a tiny blade spoiler on the boots. Oh, and blacked-out shotgun exhaust tips. The SRT work inside runs to well-bolstered front buckets and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, as well as embroided badges on the seats.There is no official ANCAP rating yet but the 300C is a top safety pick for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the USA. The airbag protection runs down to one for the driver's knees there are ESP and ABS as usual, with a huge lineup of extras including automatic wipers. Full details will not be available until the Australian cars land.The SRT8 was a Carsguide favourite and stays on the list, thanks to old-school muscle and a cabin that - like the updated Grand Cherokee - finally justifies a premium price and place. The seats are comfy, though short on support in turns, the display screen and sound are great, and it has all the luxury you expect for $65,000. But turn the key and the V8 thunder makes a statement that is backed when you hit the accelerator. The ultimate C-car really kicks hard from a standstill and has huge go when the rev counter spins past 4000.It's all V8 grunt and muscle but the engine has cylinder deactivation to boost economy, not that the gear-short auto really helps. Basic 300s have a new eight-speed automatic but the SRT's performance means its held back to five. The cornering grip is very good, with a predictable feel through the controls, although the steering is a bit woolly and the car wants to walk around on its big tyres in tight corners or anywhere with low-ish grip. When you're on a sandy desert road it can get quite lively.It's not as responsive as the HSV cars, but more punchy than the FPV Falcons. It feels less involving, but that will suit some people and it does have a very distinctive look.So the new 300C SRT8 is much more refined than it was, perhaps a little less playful, but still an old-school thumper that will work for a lot of muscle car fans down under. It's not as precise as the homegrown heroes but it's better than it was, although badly in need of a six-speed automatic.

As carmakers turn to the environment as the next tool to market their wares, GM has raised the bar with their Ecologic sticker. It is a step up from the standard fuel consumption stickers seen on new cars in Australia and the US and comes after GM realised many potential buyers want information on what impact their purchase will have on the planet. All 2013 Chevrolets sold in the US will have an Ecologic sticker affixed to the rear driver side window explaining the vehicle's impact on the environment throughout its life cycle. GM North America president Mark Reuss said at last month's Washington Car Show that "customers want companies to be honest and transparent about their environmental efforts and sustainability goals, and rightly so.Putting an Ecologic label on each Chevrolet is just one more way for us to share our environmental progress." The Chevy Sonic that goes on sale in March will be the first vehicle to have the Ecologic labels applied.The sticker shows the environmental impact in three areas: Before the road - aspects related to vehicle manufacturing and assembly. On the road - fuel-saving features such as advanced engine technologies, aerodynamics, lightweight components or low-rolling resistance tyres. After the road - what percentage by weight of the vehicle can be recycled at the end of its lifespan. The data will be verified by Two Tomorrows, an independent sustainability agency that audits companies' environmental initiatives. Holden spokesman Sean Poppitt says there are "no immediate plans" to introduce the innovative label in Australia."As with all GM product and initiatives, we'll look at it to see if it's appropriate for this market and `never say never' as it's a very nice idea," he notes. 

After more than a year on the missing list, the Chrysler 300C is finally back.

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show. With the retro drive in the US, Chrysler is considering a plan that would see the Barracuda join its three current classic nameplates - Challenger, Charger and Avenger.  The Challenger coupe is the hero car for the brand and competes directly with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, just as it did when the three cars first went head-to-head in the 1970s.  Early details of the Barracuda plan have just leaked in motown during the Detroit motor show, where Chrysler has just returned the Dodge Dart name to its roster with an American remake of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta mechanical package shared with the American company's Italian alliance partner, Fiat.  It's likely that the Barracuda will be based on the mechanical package of the latest 300C sedan, but it is not expected until at least 2014.  But no-one is talking yet. "I've not seen or heard anything official on a Barracuda plan," Clyde Campbell, managing director of Chrysler Jeep Australia, tells Carsguide in Detroit.

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show. Chrysler claims credit for originally creating the class back in the 1980s, and this time around its thinking is reflected in a concept car called the  700C.  It shares its nameline with the existing 300C and 200 passenger cars, but takes things to a whole new level.  The 700C is a giant concept car with much more radical styling than  anything currently in the class - and since the 'giant egg' Toyota Tarago - with the focus on a wedgy look with more car-like design cues than most big boxes.  It has electric sliding doors on both sides, big alloy wheels and a front-wheel drive mechanical package.  But Chrysler says nothing about the 700C, not even including the concept in its opening-day press presentation.  More information could emerge on the second day of the Detroit show, but right now its unveiling is so low-key - it was just wheeled onto the Chryler stand without any fanfare - that there is nothing in the official press package handed to journalists today.