article thumbnail

Junkyard Find: 1986 Dodge Aries SE Four-Door Sedan

The Truth About Cars

Chrysler did perhaps the best job of recreating the occupant experience of, say, a Plymouth Satellite sedan in a vehicle that got twice the fuel economy. 1986 was the first model year in which every Aries and Reliant got electronic fuel injection. 1986 Dodge Aries in California wrecking yard. Look at that interior!

Dodge 96
article thumbnail

2017 Chrysler Pacifica fuel economy review

Green Car Reports

They say you never really forget how to ride a bike, but if you're Chrysler, you may temporarily forget how to build a minivan. Its last generation of Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans were, frankly, subpar.

article thumbnail

FCA Windsor Assembly Plant begins production of plug-in 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Green Car Congress

The nearly 5,900 employees at Windsor Assembly are bringing more than 33 years of minivan production knowledge and expertise to the launch of the Pacifica Hybrid. Since launching the first minivan in 1983, the Windsor plant has built 10 million of the more than 14.3 —Brian Harlow, Head of Manufacturing, FCA – North America.

Chrysler 150
article thumbnail

Chrysler Group files S-1 for IPO; snapshot of R&D priorities; exploring a light-duty hydraulic hybrid

Green Car Congress

As one example cited, the company has increased its use of high-strength steel and other lightweight materials to reduce vehicle weight, and thus improve fuel economy, while still meeting standards for vehicle safety. Chrysler is also seeking to reduce electrical loads through application of higher efficiency fans and fuel pumps.

Chrysler 268
article thumbnail

Chrysler to introduce PHEV models in 2016 and 2017 to meet ZEV requirements; new FCA gasoline engine family coming in 2015

Green Car Congress

One will be a PHEV version of the new Chrysler Town & Country minivan to be introduced in 2016; the second will be a PHEV version of a new full-size crossover vehicle to be introduced in 2017. FCA will launch a PHEV minivan in 2016 to comply with ZEV requirements. Several mild hybrid applications will come to market shortly thereafter.

Chrysler 294
article thumbnail

Consumer Reports: Tesla and other domestic brands take big steps backwards in reliability rankings

Green Car Congress

Consumer Reports’ survey also reveals that some automakers—striving for improved fuel economy—are clearly making more reliable turbocharged engines than others. Those vehicles include the Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Suburban, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Lincoln Continental. —Jake Fisher.

Dodge 207
article thumbnail

Chrysler Disbands ENVI Electric Vehicle Group; Function Absorbed into Traditional Line Organization

Green Car Congress

In April 2009, Chrysler unveiled four all-electric Chrysler Town & Country minivan concepts to the US Postal Service (USPS) in Washington, DC. In August, Chrysler took $70 million in grants from the US Department of Energy to develop a test fleet of 220 hybrid pickup trucks and minivans. Earlier post.). Earlier post.).

Chrysler 210