Geneva Motor Show 2011: Chrysler/Lancia Reborn
This year's Geneva Motor Show is set to be a busy one for the Chrysler/Lancia brands, with no fewer than six unveilings planned. The Chrysler 200 (saloon and convertible), Chrysler 300 and Chrysler Grand Voyager will all debut with their new identities: In left-hand-drive European markets they will be known as the Lancia Flavia, Lancia Thema and Lancia Grand Voyager respectively. The refreshed Lancia Delta/Chrysler Delta will also be revealed for the first time, but the big news is the world debut of the all-new Lancia Ypsilon/Chrysler Ypsilon, the brands' exciting new 'Mini Flagship'.
Four of these six new models come as a direct result of Fiat's merger with Chrysler a year ago and will completely reinvigorate the Lancia brand across Europe, while in Ireland the transformation of the Chrysler range will kick off in June with the introduction of the Delta, followed by the Ypsilon in September, giving the brand a welcome foothold in the country's most popular vehicle segments.
Chrysler Ypsilon
The all-new Chrysler Ypsilon is an exciting new model that will not only spearhead the resurgence of the Chrysler brand in Ireland but also help the public gain a better understanding of what 'new' Chrysler, under the guidance of Fiat Automobiles, is all about. The Ypsilon is Chrysler's 'Mini Flagship' and is aimed at drivers who want all the creature comforts of a luxury car but without the expense and ostentation of a larger vehicle.
Unlike rival premium superminis, which all follow the same performance-oriented path, the Chrysler Ypsilon has been designed from the outset with refinement and sophistication in mind, and this unique approach is reflected in its elegant appearance, plush cabin and dynamic poise. It is also the only premium supermini to be offered with five proper doors and its boot is the largest in the class, although its hidden rear door-handles and striking design means that the Ypsilon doesn't wear this practicality on its tailored Italian sleeve.
Built on the latest evolution of Fiat Automobiles' city-car platform, the Chrysler Ypsilon is 384cm long, 167cm wide and 151cm tall with a wheelbase of 239cm. It will be offered in Ireland with a choice of three engines; a 69hp, 1.2-litre petrol unit; a 95hp 1.3-litre MultiJet II turbo-diesel and Fiat Powertrain Technology's award-winning, 85hp, 875cc, TwinAir two-cylinder petrol engine. (The latter will also be available with Fiat Automobile's single-clutch automated manual transmission, known as 'MTA'). All versions of the Ypsilon come with Start&Stop technology, a gearshift indicator and low rolling-resistance Goodyear tyres as standard, resulting in Band A emissions across the range: TwinAir: 97g/km; MultiJet: 99g/km and 1.2 8v: 110g/km.
The Chrysler Ypsilon will be offered in three distinct trim levels aimed at three different demographics: "Silver" is aimed at a younger audience; "Gold" targets the fashion-conscious female market while "Platinum" is for those who truly appreciate the finer things in life. In addition to a high level of standard equipment, which will likely include air conditioning and ESP on all models, a range of advanced options will also be offered, including a "Magic Parking" self-parking system and the "Blue & Me TomTom 2" navigation/infotainment/communication package. In total, there are 600 different colour, engine, trim and model permutations and that's before customers begin to delve into the new "Accessories Line" that has been specially developed for the Ypsilon.
The Chrysler Ypsilon goes on sale in Ireland in September but prices and equipment specifications have yet to be finalised. However, FGA Ireland is determined to make the Chrysler Ypsilon the best-value premium supermini on the market so an entry-level price of less than €15,000 is expected.
Chrysler Delta
First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008 (as a Lancia), the Delta's mid-life refresh coincides perfectly with the merging of the Chrysler and Lancia brands. A popular model across Europe thanks to its high levels of luxury and interior space, the revised Chrysler Delta will continue to offer upmarket refinement in a car no bigger (or more expensive) than its C-segment rivals. For 2011, the Chrysler Delta benefits from a revised front end with an unmistakable new grille as well as new bumpers, new projector-style headlamps and LED daytime running lights, while the cabin is updated with new seat upholsteries ranging from half-leather in the entry-level models to full leather trim, including a leather-covered dashboard, for top models. As before, all versions of the Delta boast copious levels of rear passenger space enhanced by sliding rear seats with adjustable backrests.
Seven engines are offered in the new Chrysler Delta and all are turbo-charged to maximise performance and efficiency. The petrol range comprises a 120hp 1.4-litre Turbo; a 140hp 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo and a 200hp 1.8-litre Turbo, while the diesel range includes 105hp and 120hp versions of Fiat Powertrain Technology's new 1.6-litre MultiJet, as well as a 165hp 2.0-litre MultiJet and a 190hp 1.9-litre Twin-Turbo MultiJet. In Ireland, sales will likely concentrate on the three low-CO2 engines (the 1.4 Turbo petrol and the two 1.6 MultiJet diesels) but most of the engine range will be available to order.
The Chrysler Delta also debuts the brand's new "Absolute Handling System" which offers the usual benefits of ESP but which can also automatically detect and correct slides before they begin, making the Delta one of the most dynamically secure cars in its segment. It will also assist the driver if the car wanders out of its lane by sending a "tug" of torque to the steering wheel to alert the driver that they have crossed the lane markings. Advanced features such as adaptive suspension, "Magic Parking" (a self-parking system) and the advanced Blue&Me navigation/infotainment/communication package are all available in the Chrysler Delta, underlining its unique position as a proper, if compact, luxury model.
The Chrysler Delta will be available in Ireland to coincide with Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland's assumption of control over the Chrysler and Jeep brands in June. Prices and final specifications have yet to be decided but, as with all Chrysler products, the Delta is expected to be extremely competitively priced while offering a high level of equipment as standard.
Chrysler 300
While Lancia fans across Europe will be excited to see the return of the Thema nameplate, Irish observers (who will have already seen images of the refreshed Chrysler 300) will be more interested in its European technical specification: Three engines will power the new Chrysler 300 in Europe, a 3.6-litre V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission and two 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engines mated to five-speed automatic transmissions. The V6 petrol is a Chrysler Group engine that produces 292hp and 353Nm of torque and it is capable of propelling the Chrysler 300 from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 230km/h. The Euro 5-compliant engine boasts Band F CO2 emissions of 199g/km and a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of just 8.3L/100km.
The two diesel engines, built by Italian engine manufacturer VM (of which Fiat Powertrain now owns 50 percent stake), produce either 190hp or 224hp but share the same impressive torque output of 540Nm. For both engines the benchmark 0-100km/h sprint takes just 7.4 seconds and top speed is 230km/h, while CO2 emissions and combined fuel economy figures for both engines are also identical 196g/km and 8.3L/100km respectively.
Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland will liaise with its UK counterparts before deciding whether or not to offer the Chrysler 300 in Ireland and if so which derivatives to take. The likelihood is that it will go on sale in Ireland in early 2012 but given the timeframe involved it is simply too early to make a definitive call.
Chrysler Grand Voyager
The Geneva Show will be the first opportunity to see the new Chrysler Grand Voyager with its new Lancia identity but from an Irish perspective it is essentially the same model that is currently on sale, albeit compliant with Euro 5 emissions standards. There may be certain trim and equipment specification changes in the pipeline, however, which will be revealed closer to FGA Ireland's June takeover of the Chrysler and Jeep brands in Ireland.
Chrysler 200
The Chrysler 200 was unveiled at the LA Auto Show in November and the Chrysler 200 Convertible debuted at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month, but Fiat Automobiles has not yet decided if it will offer these D-segment models to European customers. To gauge public reaction, the American-made saloon and convertible will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show as concept cars only, bearing the Lancia Flavia name, and because the cars aren't scheduled for European production at this time there are no technical or specification details available yet. If the European specification Lancia Flavia/Chrysler 200 gets the green light following the Geneva show it will take around six months for it to reach showrooms across Europe. However, FGA Ireland will have to co-ordinate with FGA UK to examine the Chrysler 200's potential before deciding on whether or not to offer the car in Ireland.
