Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), created in 2014, recently introduced two all-new vehicles to the U.S. market, along with a new iteration of an old American favorite. Here’s a quick look:
Jeep Renegade
Renegade is a small new Jeep with off-road capabilities rivaling those of the Wrangler but bearing a more traditional SUV appearance and the attraction of better fuel economy – more than 30 mpg for highway driving. It has seating for five and a rear cargo area accessed by a door that swings upward.
Look for a distinguishing “X” pattern throughout Renegade’s interior and on its taillights. The symbol is reminiscent of the fuel-can stamps of World War II and a nod to Jeep’s heritage.
For the pleasure of open-air driving in the Renegade, you can opt for the My Sky roof with fixed removable panels or power retractable and removable panels.
Renegade is available in Sport, Latitude, and Limited trim levels in front-wheel or four-wheel drive configuration. For extreme off-road use, there’s a Trailhawk model, in 4WD only, featuring Jeep Active Drive Low, which includes a 20:1 crawl ratio and the Jeep Selec-Terrain system that adjusts the affected mechanicals as necessary for different types of terrain.
A 1.4-liter, 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine is standard on Sport and Latitude models. Limited and Trailhawk versions get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower. The larger engine is available as optional equipment on Sport and Latitude models.
The standard transmission for the 1.4-liter engine is a six-speed manual; for the 2.4-liter it’s a nine-speed automatic. As with the engine choices, the automatic transmission is available as an option on Sport and Latitude.
Three different versions of the Uconnect infotainment system are standard or optional depending on trim level, maxing out at the 6.5 version with navigation, satellite radio, HD radio, Travel Link, Bluetooth and more. Likewise, there’s a 180-watt six-speaker audio system and a premium 506-watt system with nine speakers.
Power windows, audio jack input and a remote USB port are standard across the board, and refinements such as heated seats, heated steering wheel and blind spot monitoring can be found on the list of available features.
The 2015 Jeep Renegade is scheduled to start arriving at local dealerships in early March. Base pricing, including a $995 destination charge, starts at $18,990 for the Sport 4×2 and tops out at $26,990 for the Trailhawk.
Ram ProMaster City
Another new member of the FCA family is the compact Ram ProMaster City light-duty (Class 1) commercial van. Available in cargo or passenger wagon configuration, it’s taking on the Chevrolet City Express, Ford Transit Connect and Nissan NV200 for a chunk of this growing market segment. Class 1 vans are an attractive alternative for people who need a commercial vehicle but don’t require the capacity of a full-size van. Affordability, easier maneuverability around town and better fuel economy are among the obvious benefits.
The front-wheel-drive ProMaster City has best-in-class status for its 1,883-pound payload, 131.7 cubic-feet of cargo space, and 5,395-pound gross vehicle weight rating. A 178-horsepower four-cylinder Chrysler Tigershark engine producing 174 pound-feet of torque is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and fuel economy ratings are 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway.
Four versions are in the ProMaster City lineup: Tradesman Cargo Van, Tradesman SLT Cargo Van, Wagon, and Wagon SLT.
Cargo models come standard with solid-paneled side and rear doors. Side and rear doors with glass, and rear hinge doors with glass, are optional on cargo models but standard on the wagons.
Wagons have seating for five and come with a 60/40 split rear bench seat that folds and tumbles.
A Uconnect multimedia system with AM/FM radio, USB port and auxiliary input jack is standard across the board. An upgraded Uconnect system with 5-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth is standard on SLT models, optional otherwise, and a third version with navigation is available on all models.
Base pricing for the 2015 Ram ProMaster City, including a $995 destination charge, is $24,125 for the Tradesman Cargo Van; $25,650 for the Tradesman SLT Cargo Van; $25,125 for the Wagon; and $26,650 for the Wagon SLT.
The ProMaster City is built in Turkey. Shipments to the U.S. started in December and vehicles will be arriving soon at local dealerships.
Chrysler 300
Chrysler’s full-size, rear-wheel-drive 300 sedan is steeped in American automotive history, dating back to 1955. It was resurrected in 2005, redesigned in 2010, and is rejuvenated for 2015.
Exterior styling changes have been made to the front, sides and rear. An interior update includes a new customizable 7-inch driver information display, the addition of two more USB ports, and the latest Uconnect system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and four new apps.
A new C Platinum luxury trim level joins the lineup.
There’s a new eight-speed automatic transmission for 300S, 300C and 300C Platinum versions equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine, and a new electric power steering system (with Sport mode for the same models just mentioned).
Newly available safety equipment includes forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and push-button 911 calling that connects directly with emergency services. If the adaptive cruise control system senses an imminent collision, it is capable of bringing the 300 to a full stop without input from the driver.
The 2015 Chrysler 300 arrives at dealerships this spring. Pricing begins at $31,395 (no increase over the 2014 version) for the Limited model. The S trim level is $34,895; C is $37,895; and C Platinum is $42,395.
This is an overview of the 2015 Jeep Renegade, Ram ProMaster City, and Chrysler 300 based on introductory events held by the manufacturer. Although the vehicles were driven during the events, automotive reviews that include driving impressions and other opinions appear only after vehicles have been given the standard week-long test-drive.
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