Chrysler Valiant Reviews

... with everything from vital new cars to $12 billion profit promises, at the opening of the 2011 North American International Auto Show.Ford, Chrysler and General Motors are all running in the black after the disasters of the global economic crisis and also have new models to tap potential demand in the USA and around the world.Chrysler has its new 300C flagship, Ford has the C-Max minivan and GM has a Buick Verano luxury concept as the obvious contenders for the opening day in Detroit.There is much more to be revealed on the new-metal front but the real key to their success is the companies' financial turnaround.Ford is doing best because, under canny chief Alan Mullaly, it was never driven into the bankruptcy that nearly killed GM and forced Chrysler into a new global alliance with Fiat.The blue oval brand is battling in Australia but in the USA it is climbing the quality rankings and is on-track for a $10 billion profit on its operations in 2010.GM is also doing well after reporting a $4.2 black-ink result to the end of September and even Chrysler, which was lagging last year, is heading towards a share float and an operating profit in 2011.Demand for new vehicles in the USA is likely to rebound by around one million in 2012 - the total number of vehicles sold in Australia last year - after tanking in 2009 and showing only mild signs of improvement last year.Sales in China now lead the world and the Big Three have been overtaken by Toyota, which is now global leader in showrooms, with Volkswagen planning to trump the lot to become worldwide number one by 2018.

The second-generation 300C is Chrysler's hero car for the 2011 North  American International Motor Show in Detroit, promising updated  styling together with the cabin quality and general refinement missing from the original car. But there is a giant 'but' for Australia. Right-hand production is not scheduled for at least six months and that means the first supplies of the updated car will not land until 2012. Chrysler Australia says the delay is normal on an all-new model and it has over-stocked with the existing 300C to take it through 2011. "Historically we've always had a six to nine-month window to get right- hand drive. We're actually loooking at a similar timeframe," says Chrysler spokesman, Dean Bonthorne. "The on-sale timing is quarter one of 2011 in North America. The  current plan is very early in 2012 for Australia." Chrysler knew about the delay in the final quarter of last year and that's when it started to stockpile the existing 300C. Around 400 cars were landed before the end of the year, but supplies of the $39,990  model - with a 3.5-litre V6 - are already running short. "There are still a handful of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol cars. We also have the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 and the 6.1-litre SRT V8. The Touring was discontinued some time ago," says Bonthorne. "We allowed to maintain a planned sales volume through the major part  of 2011. And we've got some great deals on those models until the 2012  version arrives." Chrysler is promising big things with the 300C, its first major model since the American company began a new partnership with Fiat of Italy. The basic body is similar to the existing car, although the windscreen is swept back by around six centimetres with slimmer door pillars to improve visibility. It is also fitted with daytime LED running lamps  to emphasise the new front-end look. Bonthorne makes no apology for the long wait on the 300C, which is essential to ensure the car gets a fast start in the USA. "They have pushed ahead to get the North American car ready." He promises the drought of new models in 2011 will be broken early in 2012. "Come 2012 and 2013 we have a huge number of new models coming," Bonthorne says. A new direction for Chrysler The new direction at Chrysler Australia is obvious from the top down. Clyde Campbell, formerly a senior staffer at Mercedes-Benz Australia, is the new managing director and occupies a desk in Dandenong. The new office site is part of the Iveco trucks' facility and reflects  Chrysler's move out of the Daimler family and into its new relationship with Fiat. Chrysler and Fiat operate totally separately in Australia, partly because the Italian brand is represented by Ateco Automotive as it independent importer. Chrysler is headed for a relatively quiet showroom year in 2011, with just three models on sale - the soon-to-be superseded 300C, the Grand Voyager people mover and Sebring Cabrio. But it does have the strength of Jeep, including the all-new Grand Cherokee.

All the signs are positive after a strong run through 2010 on everything from new models and new technology to the price of cars and petrol and even motorsport.Last year produced a million-plus result in showrooms, only the third on record and a huge turnover in a country with a population of just over 22 million people. And the sales total for 2011 is likely to be even bigger.The fuel for the sales growth will come, as usual, from the importance of cars in Australia and the incredible number of new models that his showrooms each year. No-one can underestimate the sense of freedom that Australians tap with their cars, or the genuine needs of people who rely on cars for everything from day-to-day commuting to long-distance nomadic work.Car companies are currently doing all they can to clear their backlog of 2010 stock in readiness for the first arrivals of 2011, which means great buying for at least another month. Cars are like horses, because they all get a year older on the same day, and anything in a showroom now with a 2010 build date is out-of-date.But there is nothing out-of-date about the lineup for the first major motoring event of the year, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It opens next week with the unveiling of everything from a Hyundai Veloster and the next Honda Civic to a new Porsche supercar.There will be lots of news from Detroit, perhaps including Holden's plans to revive Commodore exports to the USA and the potential future of the Ford Falcon. Chrysler will show its new 300C, which will take more than a year to reach Australia, and Chinese brands are promising another new wave of technology and small cars.Chinese cars will be one of the big stories in Australia in 2011, with Chery, Geely and Great Wall all planning to start passenger car sales down under. Great Wall is already doing well with its value-priced utes and SUVs but it's Chery that is looking for the big breakthrough with baby cars that undercut the Korean price leaders.On the motorsport front, the Dakar Rally is already blazing through South America - with Bruce Garland doing his best for Australia in an Isuzu D-Max - the V8 Supercar championship will be another boomer, and Mark Webber will be looking to improve on his 2011 season in another year with Red Bull Racing.Melbourne will be motoring central again this year, not just because it is home to the three local carmakers - Holden, which has the local Cruze this year; Ford, which is about to go with the updated Territory; and Toyota, which has an all-new Camry for 2011 - but also thanks to everything from the Australian Grand Prix to the latest running of the Australian International Motor Show.The organisers of the show have confirmed this year's dates as July 1-10, with the promise of a truly world-class event. Moving the date is planning to bring more people indoors to look at the shiny new metal and, more importantly, open up a new position on the global motoring calendar to allow the Australian show to become a major Asian motoring event each year.

The 200 is a small sedan that rides on the same underpinnings as its ill-fated predecessor but has a new skin, a revised interior and a reworked engine.All metalwork from the A-pillar forward is new. The nose is neater and has an attractive grille with blades that mirror the design of the new Silver Wing emblem.The biggest change is Chrysler's new Pentastar V6 - to be seen first in Australia in the Jeep Grand Cherokee - with 211kW and 353Nm.Chrysler will retain its aging 2.4-litre four cylinder and four-speed automatic which, together, gets only a 6 per cent better fuel economy than the V6 and its six-speed auto.  The 2.4-litre four-speed auto 200 is unlikely to make it to Australia.However, Chrysler says it plans to unveil an optional six-speed dual-clutch transmission for the four-cylinder.

As Daimler of Germany closes on a celebration of the first 125 years since it put the world on wheels, the company is confident the automobile has a long way to run. "I'm convinced that in 125 years people will not want to rely on their legs," says Dieter Zetsche, head of Daimler and the top man at Mercedes-Benz.  Zetsche laughs a little as he says it, but his eyes are blue steel and he is dead-serious about the need for cars of some sort into the foreseeable future. "It seems that to me that individual mobility is a very important thing to people. Nor do they want to be packed into a form of combined carriages, either," he says. Zetsche is speaking to Carsguide on the first day of the Paris Motor Show, the biggest motoring event of the year. All the major brands have something special to show in the city of lights, from baby Kia concepts and new compact contenders that will wear Holden and Ford badges in Australia right through to the latest Mercedes SLS four-door coupe. The mood at Paris is bouncy and upbeat, with technology talk on every stand as carmakers accelerate development on everything from the inevitable electric cars and hybrids to new-age petrol engines, baby diesels, active aerodynamics and lightweight materials. Every brand is doing its best to cut fuel use and CO2 emissions without hurting themselves in showrooms.  The results from Paris will not be known for some time - not even the new-era cars from Ford, Mini and Citroen that will compete for next year's World Rally Championship - but there is a lot to see and a lot to like. Even Saab has news from the show of an Australian comeback.  But Zetsche has a much broader brush and he is painting a big picture for the automobile as Daimler builds towards its next big anniversary on January 29 next year. It's the date when Karl Benz filed the papers for its patent wagon in Berlin a full 125 years ago, starting the automobile age. Today's Daimler boss talks bullishly about the future of cars, even though he admits he is short on detail for the year 2135. "What technology we have, whether it's on wheels or whatever, I don't know," Zetsche says.  "But I'm sure that people will want to to move from A to B in a way that's fast and enjoyable. And they they are in a closed-up space where they are somewhat protected." Once Paris is done the German brand intends to finalise its plans for January, including a move to have January 29 turned into Automobile Day across the world And there is more, with the promise of something special to celebrate the 125th anniversary in 2011. "We have another patent that is just as important as the first one," Zetsche says, teasing and promising at the same time.

The renewal work makes it more elegant and stylish, including a considerable quality tweak in the cabin, but it still has the chunky body and hunkered-down look which has made it a global winner for Chrysler. But don't expect the all-new 300C in Australia any time soon, even though Carparazzi has caught three production-ready cars with its cameras.  A production switch for the new 300C means there will be no right-hand drive cars until 2012. Chrysler Australia has stocked-up on the existing model, with around 400 cars in the pipeline, to carry it through the drought but is not making any promises on the sales start for the new model.  It could have trouble clearing the backlog, based on the latest Carparazzi pictures. They show a car which looks a little shorter than the current 300C with styling taken from the 200C motor show concept car.  The shape of the new-look headlamps is obvious and so is the front fascia, including LED daytime running lamps. Cut-outs in the Chrysler camouflage along the front bumper and mudguard reveal a new sensor that Carparazzi sources say is for a frontal-collision warning system, adaptive cruise control and a blind spot/side assist system. On the sides, the 300C shows new rocker panels, a body crease that sweeps downwards toward the nose and new chrome-capped side mirrors.  The rear doors have also had the black plastic square at the rear swapped out in favor of more glass. In the rear there are LED tail lamps and a bumper with integrated chrome exhaust tips.  There are huge changes inside, with the test cars revealing a solid, leather-stitched dash top similar to the one in the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee now in production. There is also a large analogue clock for a bit more class and a massive navigation and entertainment screen. Carparazzi sources say there will be lots of LED lighting and a 500- watt Alpine premium audio system.  The new 300C rides on an updated version of Chrysler's LX chassis and comes with the new Pentastar 3.6-litre V6, also fitted to the new Grand Cherokee. There are also 5.7-litre and 6.4-litre Hemi petrol V8s and a diesel engine. Chrysler is aiming to start production at it's Canadian factory in Ontario during the last week of December, 2010, pointing to an official unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November.

WHAT IS IT?This is the high performance version of Chrysler's near iconic 300C sedan. It has a larger capacity 6.1-litre petrol V8 engine, huge 20-inch wheels and plenty of goodies inside like leather clad sports seats, a 0-100kmh timer and  this time around, a limited slip differential.HOW MUCH?Priced at &74,990, the SRT8 leave little to be desired. Chrysler is pretty well on top of the latest gadgets and luxury developments and it shows inside the SRT8.WHAT ARE THE COMPETITORS?HSV's Clubsport R8 and FPV's GT are close on price and have similar engines and power output. But the SRT8 isn't as hard core as these two, it's more of a quick cruiser rather than a road going sports sedan.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?Power comes from a 6.1-litre, Hemi V8 with overhead valves. It aint the latest artillery but is good for 317kW/569Nm output that propels the SRT8 in the way you'd expect - fast. It drives the rear wheels via a sequential five speed auto.HOW DOES IT GO?Like a train _ we used the built-in 0-100kmh timer and clocked a 5.35 second split. A hotshot would do better. Has a pleasing rumble from the wide spaced dual outlet exhaust and plenty of kick in the mid and high rev ranges.IS IT ECONOMICAL?It's OK, drive with an egg foot and it will do 12.0-litres/100km, boot it up and the sky's the limit. Chrysler claims a combined average of 14.0-litres/100km.IS IT 'GREEN'?Not really.IS IT SAFE?Has all the necessary kit - multiple air bags, stability control so goes close to a five star crash rating. Inherently safe with big Brembo brakes, large tyre contact patch sports calibrated stability control. Weighs in at just over 1900kg. Look out little cars.IS IT COMFORTABLE?Superbly. Despite being the "sport" version, has comfy and controlled ride, minimal noise intrusion, large soft seats and plenty of interior room _ a "first class" travelling experience. Also scores a monumental Kicker 13 speaker audio system, the latest in 3D satnav, a 20gigabyte myGig infotainment system, leather, electric assistance everywhere, remote proximity entry, keyless go - you name it.WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?Impressive. Not as sharp in the twisties as an HSV or FPV but still wieldy and fun to steer though the steering itself is a little too light and vague. rockets out of tight corners like a sports sedan should aided by that new differential. The Brembos as welcome given the power and weight of the SRT8. And all this in a pampered driving environment.IS IT VALUE FOR MONEY?You'll pay a bit more for the SRT8 but it's a bit different and more "bling" than the direct competitors. Value? Pretty good really considering the size of the thing and what you get. Beats a small European premium model for similar money every day.WOULD WE BUY ONE?Yep, the missus hates it but then what does she know. Hope she isn't reading this.

The brief flirtation between Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler resulted in a number of interesting cars, the Crossfire sports car being one of them. Given the inevitable cross-pollination that went on between 'Benz and its American brand it was only a matter of time before a Chrysler version of the SL/K sports car emerged.The result was a sports car that performed and handled well by European standards, but with a brash look that could only come from America. If the SL/K was designed to blast along the autobahns of its homeland the Crossfire, it seemed, was created for the boulevards of California.The Crossfire Coupe that landed here in 2003 wasn't intended to compete with its German cousin even though it took its mechanical underpinnings from the SL/K. The Chrysler sportie was several thousand dollars cheaper than the equivalent 'Benz model, which put it into an entirely different price category and had it competing with cars like the Audi TT and Alfa GTV rather than the SL/K. Even so it was still a 'Benz at heart with some 40 per cent of the Crossfire's parts, including the chassis, engine and transmission, coming from the SL/K.While the mechanical package was familiar Mercedes-Benz fare the Crossfire's looks were not. Unlike the SL/K, which was designed to be a convertible coupe with a folding steel roof, the Crossfire was created to be either a fixed-roof coupe or a roadster.The Coupe arrived first and while its proportions were similar to the SL/K's its severely truncated and very rounded rump instantly set the Crossfire apart from its corporate cousin. The front of the Crossfire Coupe was easy to like, it was pleasantly styled and pleasing to the eye, but the rounded rear was a visual challenge. You either liked it or loathed it; there was no middle ground.When it arrived in 2004 the Roadster was a much nicer looking car with much less dramatic lines, the rear was much more pleasing to the eye, and it had a more conventional roofline. By the time it was strengthened to compensate for the absence of the steel roof, the Roadster was only 36 kg heavier than the Coupe, so it didn't lose much in the transformation. The resulting body was quite rigid, and there was little scuttle shake, which is the scourge of many a soft-top.While not fully automated the Roadster's roof was easy to use, you simply unclipped it from the windscreen header and eased it back a few centimeters when the powered mechanism took over and lowered it the rest of the way. Inside it was snug with sporty seats that were a little hard, but still supportive.There was just one engine available at the launch, that being a single overhead camshaft 3.2-litre V6 that boasted 160 kW at 5700 revs and 310 Nm at 3000 revs. Later, in 2005, a supercharged version of the V6 was added. That delivered a whopping punch of 246 kW at 6100 revs and 420 Nm from 3500 to 4800 revs.There was a choice of five-speed sequential shift auto or six-speed manual gearbox on the normally aspirated V6 models, but buyers of the supercharged engine could only have the auto. Like most sports cars the Crossfire was rear-wheel drive.Oddly the Crossfire used different sized wheels back to front, with 18-inch alloys at the front and 19-inch at the rear. There was no spare provided, so you had to rely on a sealant and compressor in the event of a flat. Underneath, it boasted independent front suspension with wishbones and coil springs, and a five-link rear set-up.There are no serious issues that Crossfire buyers have to be concerned about, it is generally reliable and 'Benz mechanical bits and pieces seem robust. Look for a service record to confirm a regular maintenance routine has been followed with regular oil changes. It's also worth checking for signs a car has been given a thrashing by an uncaring owner.With very competent underpinnings in the form of the Mercedes-Benz chassis and suspension, plus standard ABS antilock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control and stability control the Crossfire has the best weapons currently available to maintain control in an emergency situation. Add to that front and side airbags and there's also a good level of protection once the metal begins the crumple.Chrysler claimed the V6 Crossfire would return an average of 10.6 L/ 100 km, the supercharged V6 10.9 L/100 km, but the real life consumption depends very much on the driver's right foot. When tested by Carsguide the supercharged Crossfire averaged 14.2 L. 100 km.Two years ago when Greg Thomas decided he didn't need the back half of his Ford Fairlanes he bought Chrysler Crossfire. He still wanted some punch and to make visual statement, and he says the Crossfire delivers very well on both fronts. It really jumps out of the blocks and has brilliant pick-up from 110-120 km/h that blasts the car forward if needed, and has endless grip thanks to its large tyres. He loves the snug driving position with everything in reach, the seat comfort and support, and the feel of the car. On the downside he says replacing the tyres is expensive, the wipers only have two speeds, the heating system dials and the CD player. Having said that though he adds that the heating system delivers within about 200 metres of driving and the power of the sound system is numbing. He rates the Crossfire at 90/100.Distinctive muscular looksA real headturnerRobust Mercedes mechanicalsSpirited performanceGenerally reliableNo spare.More a cruiser than a hard-edged sports car, but is still great fun to drive.

Just a brief look into any junior sports club shows fewer people now do more to keep such clubs and teams afloat.

But peak motoring body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries believes consumers are confused enough to warrant a broad-ranging education program about what ESC is and what it does.The Transport Accident Commission has already been running an ad highlighting the merits of curtain airbags and ESC. It has been endeavouring to lift awareness among buyers about what they do, via websites like howsafeisyourcar.com.au.But with Victoria moving ahead for the compulsory fitting of ESC to all passenger cars from January, the FCAI believes now is the time to increase awareness among car buyers.Despite TAC's efforts some carmakers like Honda believe consumers are still confused by the different acronyms used to describe the various systems. However, FCAI spokesman, James Goodwin, believes it will be difficult to mandate a single naming strategy."It comes down to marketing," he says. "All systems are different to some degree."Goodwin also believes it would cost too much to standardise the terminology on imported cars because the volumes are relatively small. Carmakers use different terms for the proprietary electronic stability program invented by Bosch and co-developed with Mercedes-Benz.Subaru Australia spokesman, David Rowley, says Subaru's own research shows a higher awareness among buyers of its own electronic stability control system, called vehicle dynamic control."Our customers tend to look in depth at the features of our cars," Rowley says. He backs an education program as “something worth considering" but balks at a name change. "A lot a brands have invested a lot of intellectual time in creating a point of difference with their various stability systems," he says.What they call it -Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - Holden, HSV, JeepElectronic Stability Program (ESP) - Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, Skoda, Peugeot, SuzukiDynamic Stability Control (DSC) - Ford, FPV, BMW, Mazda, Land Rover, Aston Martin, JaguarVehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) - ToyotaVehicle Stability Control (VSC) - LexusVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) - Nissan, SubaruDynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) - VolvoElectronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) - Audi, VolkswagenActive Stability Control (ASC) - MitsubishiVehicle Stability Assist (VSA)- HondaAutomatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T)  MiniMaserati Stability Program (MSP) - MaseratiPorsche Stability Management (PSM) - PorscheStability and Traction Control - FiatStabiliTrak -Hummer