I have a question for you guys. We all know about the next generation of Sebring and Stratus Sedans getting bigger to make up for the lose of the front-wheel drive Intrepid and Concorde (300M). Now, General Motors' Pontiac divisions will be releasing two models this year and next. Both models will carry the GXP name. GXP will be the top of the line performance car badge for Pontiac. Bonneville GXP which debuted in January, has a 4.6L "NORTHSTAR" V-8 and 280 horsepower... and word has it that the Pontiac Grand Prix (which will also carry the GXP name), will have a car very similar to that of the SEMA Grand Prix Autocross Concept, in which it ditched the supercharged 3.8L V-6 for a 350 horsepower front-wheel drive 5.3L V-8. Rumor has it as the new LS-4 5.3L V-8 for GM's front-wheel drive lineup. So my question to you guys and gals is, should Chrysler Group build a front wheel drive V-8 motor for the next Sebring and Stratus and go after these cars? Whats your thoughts?
Here is an article on the Grand Prix Autocross:
Pontiac Grand Prix Autocross:
Pontiac pushed the Grand Prix performance envelope with the Autocross concept, focusing on the often mutually exclusive attributes power and handling. The stock 3.8-liter V-6 was replaced with a 5.3-liter V-8 tuned to produce 350 horsepower. The additional weight required a suspension revision, so Pontiac took it a step further with track-tuned shocks and springs lowering ride height and improving response, along with larger anti-roll bars front and rear. Behind the 18-inch wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich g-force T/A KD performance tires are custom rotors and calipers from Stainless Steel Brake Corp. The exterior features several custom carbon-fiber pieces, including an all-carbon hood. The front and rear fascias, and rear spoiler are also enhanced carbon pieces. Inside, sport touches include aluminum pedals, sporty, sleek seats trimmed with Naugahyde material, and Delphi custom gauge cluster package with redesigned graphics.
So my question to you guys and gals is, should Chrysler Group build a front wheel drive V-8 motor for the next Sebring and Stratus and go after these cars? Whats your thoughts?
If we're answering with "should" vs "will"... I think Chrysler should build nimble, lightweight RWD cars in this class -- a smaller-scale LX platform. Generally speaking, Chrysler is at its best when it takes the road not travelled vs trying to do me-too cars -- see 300, PT Cruiser, etc., all the way back to the minivan and the reintroduction of the convertible and before.
Stratus has had almost no impact on the market in recent years. For its replacement to get attention it has to be different, not just better. A nicely-done RWD competitor -- BMW performance and dynamics and a nice interior at a Camry price, or less -- would tempt a lot of import buyers to take a chance on a Chrysler product. And tempting import buyers with distinctive, different products is Chrysler's best (only, maybe) route to survival.
We know what they will do... stretch the new C/D platform, offer AWD, maybe a V6 with forced induction for the SRT variant. It'll be okay, but it's hard to see it as a standout hit unless the styling and quality are STUNNING.
The 4.7 is yesterday's news, and I would be surprised to see it in a next-gen Stratus/Sebring.
Alright first off, you couldn't put a truck motor in a front wheel drive car. The new LS-4 FWD 5.3L V-8 has nothing to do w/ the truck version 5300 VORTEC. It was completely designed for a front wheel drive car, just uses the 5.3L of displacement. And believe it, it is coming next year to the Grand Prix GXP.
Second of all, we all love RWD on here, but not all people want a RWD car, that is what Chrysler Group figured out, after many people in nothern states and Canada, have complained about, w/ weather conditions and all. So that is the reason they will make the Stratus and Sebring models bigger, in order to fill in the gap from the Concorde, Intrepid, and 300M.
If Chrysler were to do this, they would have to build a completely new engine. So is it worth the effort?
Second of all, we all love RWD on here, but not all people want a RWD car, that is what Chrysler Group figured out,
I thought Chrysler had long since decided not to try to satisfy all of the people all of the time with their cars, because they just can't do it. IMHO building yet another Camry/Accord wanna-be me-too car is a recipe for mediocrity, at best.
They need to break the mold.
Offering a car with 3-series dynamics and some performance and a well finished interior -- a 7/8 scale 300, in other words -- at a price that challenges Camry and Accord is a way to be different and create a car that's a gotta-have for some subset of those import buyers as well as a big slice of the domestic crowd.
Of course, they won't do it, at least not this time around. But it would be a very Chrysler thing to do.
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