Chrysler: Taking chances as a design philosophy

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

	The 2007 Chrysler Aspen has a base price of $31,940.

Be daring. Be bold. And maybe -- even be divisive.

That, in a sense, sums up the design philosophy of none other than the Chrysler Unit of DaimlerChrysler. Actually, it sums up the philosophy of the whole company.

Chrysler has long since learned that taking chances pays off, as witnessed by products such as the PT Cruiser, Chrysler 300 and this year, the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring. The Sebring looks like nothing else on the road, and that's a good thing, because just about all the other family sedans look as though they came from the same mold.

It's got a fastback roof line, those familiar Chrysler Crossfire-like strakes across the hood, and a racy, hunkered down profile. The interior, too, has familiar Chrysler themes, which means sophisticated, tailored and different from what everybody else is doing.

The Sebring is likely not to be everybody's cup of tea, but then again, neither have any of the other success stories that Chrysler's had of late. I expect the Sebring to carve out a whole new audience of "fashion forward" buyers who are value oriented, but want to drive something that is not a block of cheese on wheels.

The base engine on the Sebring is a 172 horsepower 2.4 liter four; a 2.7 liter, 190 horsepower V-6 and 3.5 liter, 235 horsepower V-6 also are available. Estimated mileage for these engines is 23 mpg city and 31 highway.

The Sebring also has a lot of interesting technology including a Harmon/Kardon information, entertainment and safety navigation audio system; heated/cooled cupholder; optional available rear-seat DVD/entertainment system; standard seat-mounted thorax air bags; standard side curtain air bags and low risk deployment air bags and available Electronic Stability Program and anti-lock brakes.

Prices for the Sebring start at $18,995 and top out at $23,995.

The other new product for Chrysler is the Aspen, a full-sized SUV based on Dodge's Durango that is being billed as the "300 of SUVs."

That might be a bit of a stretch, but the Aspen does have a lot of the styling cues that are now the hallmark of the 300. And Chrysler also has managed to put in just enough styling differentiation between the Durango and the Aspen that buyers of the Aspen will not feel slighted.

Base price for the Aspen is $31,940 -- it tops out at $39,225.

The Aspen has room for up to eight, and it's powered by a 4.7 liter, V-8 engine. You also can get the well-known 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 engine on the Aspen.

The Aspen is distinguished by packages. It offers "E" and "J" packages with both coming in two-wheel and all-wheel drive versions.

Standard equipment includes side curtain air bags, second row 40/20/40 folding seat, two passenger third-row seat, power driver's seat, rear passenger heat and air conditioning system, mini trip computer with compass and outside temperature data and stain resistant fabric.

Stepping up to the "J" package offers a 60/40 third row seat, chrome wheels, reclining second row seats, running boards, leather seats, parking assist system, six disc audio system and Sirius satellite radio.

Mileage figures were unavailable.