The 2015 Chrysler 200 has gotten a completely new design and is ready to take the fight to the toughest of the midsize sedan competitors. It is priced competitively, starting at $21,700, and has three aces up its shiny new sleeve. Chrysler brought the new 200 lineup to the Highlands Ranch Mansion in Colorado to highlight its weaponry.
The first weapon is a pair of powerful engines. The power starts with the 2.4L TigerShark four-cylinder at 184 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque. However, the star is the 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 295 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Power is important at the high elevations of Colorado and the V6 brings plenty.
The next weapon is the 9-speed automatic transmission. Yes, it has nine speeds, and the top four gears are overdrive. This transmission, and the car’s slippery aerodynamics, allow for very good gas mileage of 23 MPG city, 36 MPG highway, and 28 MPG combined for the four-cylinder front wheel drive. The Pentastar powered model is rated at 19 MPG city, 32 MPG highway, and 23 MPG combined.
This transmission keeps the engine in the optimal power and efficiency ranges and has the smarts to select one of many specific modes. The modes vary from efficiency focused, to adverse weather, to performance driving. The computer detects how the car is driven and adjusts its programming accordingly.
The last weapon Chrysler has tucked up the sleeve of the 200 is the available AWD system. While most competitors have abandoned or never offered all wheel drive (the Ford Fusion does have it available) the Chrysler 200 is fine-tuning the system.
You can only get the 200 with AWD in the V6, but the system is clever and maximizes fuel economy by completely disconnecting rear-wheel-drive when it’s not needed which saves on friction losses. The car also decides when AWD is needed with various triggers. If the front wheels slip, the windshield wipers are running to clear rain, or it’s below 40F, then the system directs the power to the rear wheels and can transfer up to 60% of propulsion rearward.
Of course, the new 200 has a host of the latest safety and technology features, including the lane correction system. This bit of tech will cause the car to actually correct the steering angle to bring the 200 back into its lane if you start wandering off.
We have a 2015 Chrysler 200 Limited versus 200S first drive review coming up soon. In the meantime, watch this fun and informative competitive comparison of the new 200 and its toughest competitors.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, software engineer, writer, and reporter. He has been writing and reporting at TFLcar since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or scouring the internet and other media for various automotive, mechanical, and computer related information.
