Automotive News, Media & Press - AWD Hemi Cars..ugh GM where are you!?!?!??!

Once Again from AutoSpies
http://www2.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3111&categoryId=8
All-wheel Drive Joins Rear-wheel Drive on 2005 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum
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• New All-wheel-drive Choices Added to Line-up for Outstanding Performance in All Weather Conditions

• All-wheel-drive Vehicles to Go On Sale This Fall Starting at $27,900 (MSRP excluding $625 destination)

One wheel? Two wheels? Three wheels, four? All wheels your preference? Who needs more? Chrysler Group is rounding out its Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 family with all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions of the highly popular vehicles.
For those Dodge customers who prefer all-wheel drive, the 2005 AWD Dodge Magnum SXT and AWD Dodge Magnum RT will be introduced this fall. Later in the fourth quarter, Chrysler all-wheel-drive fans will be able to choose from AWD Chrysler 300 Touring and AWD Chrysler 300C models, as well as an AWD package that will be available as an option for the Chrysler 300 Limited.

"The rear-wheel drive Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 have proven themselves in the marketplace as popular performers all across the United States, and we look to these new all-wheel-drive choices to continue that momentum," said George Murphy, Senior Vice-President, Global Brand Marketing.

By continuously driving all wheels, the new all-wheel-drive system provides excellent cornering balance and traction under all driving conditions. Combined with standard features such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), All-speed Traction Control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and Emergency Brake Assist, performance and stability are outstanding in the new AWD members of the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 lineup.

"While chassis electronics and tire technology improvements help control our Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum rear-wheel-drive models, some customers may still opt for the all-wheel-drive choice," said Murphy. "With this latest option, we are able to offer what the customer wants in each case."

The new all-wheel drive system adds a front differential and a transfer case to the standard rear-wheel-drive configuration. All-wheel drive continuously divides the power between the front and rear axles at a 38-percent to 62-percent ratio.

In addition to the front differential and transfer case, the all-wheel drive system adds a unique short- and long-arm front suspension to accommodate the front drive axle and related components. This unique suspension uses a forged upper control arm and single-piece case-iron lower control arm, efficiently packaged around the front-axle drive system. The steering gear effort and response and the suspension characteristics also are tuned to the handling characteristics of all-wheel-drive vehicles.

2005 AWD Dodge Magnum SXT Model

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2005 AWD Dodge Magnum SXT model is $27,900 (excluding $625 destination). This includes the added front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension, a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick®, 18-inch wheels and touring tires, performance disk brakes and a 19-gallon fuel tank with the 3.5-liter V-6 High Output engine.

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2005 AWD Dodge Magnum RT Model
The MSRP for the 2005 AWD Dodge Magnum RT model is $31,370 (excluding $625 destination). This includes the addition of the front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension. (The five-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and touring tires, performance disk brakes and 19-gallon fuel tank already are included as standard equipment on the Dodge Magnum RT.)

2005 AWD Chrysler 300 Touring Model

The MSRP for the 2005 AWD Chrysler 300 Touring model is $29,370 (excluding $625 destination). The added front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension, a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, 18-inch wheels and touring tires, performance disk brakes and a 19-gallon fuel tank are included with the 3.5-liter V-6 High Output engine on the AWD Chrysler 300 Touring model.

2005 Chrysler 300 Limited AWD Option

The 2005 Chrysler 300 Limited will be offered as an all-wheel-drive vehicle through an option package. In addition to the Limited model's standard equipment, this package will add the front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension, a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, 18-inch wheels and touring tires, performance disk brakes and a 19-gallon fuel tank with the 3.5-liter V-6 High Output engine. The MSRP for 2005 Chrysler 300 Limited vehicles with the AWD option is $31,215 (excluding $625 destination).

2005 AWD Chrysler 300C Model

The MSRP for the 2005 AWD Chrysler 300C model is $34,195 (excluding $625 destination). This includes the addition of the front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension and 18-inch wheels. (The five-speed automatic transmission, touring tires, performance disk brakes and 19-gallon fuel tank already are included as standard equipment on the Chrysler 300C.)

The 2005 AWD Dodge Magnum and AWD Chrysler 300 will be built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario.

GM and Ford are too busy trying to ignore these cars while they pull up their pants. Ditto for foreign automakers.

I mean it, I am not going to ever buy another GM if GM does not answer this affronts to their one time performance superiority!!!

I took one for a long test drive (left with 14 miles, returned with 37 miles on the odo) and I would be all over this if I didn't have a big GM Card discount burning a hole in my pocket.

They are wicked cars, and very nicely executed all around.

I think I stated it before, but the Pontiac Grad Prix should be RWD. Put it on the Sigma/Zeta platform call the 4 door a Grand Prix, a Two door a Firebird, make the top of the line 4 door a GTP and the top of the line 2 door a GTO. There's your competition right there. Sadly I don't think GM would do that.

The 300C isn't the right "style" of car for me but I do think it's cool looking and love the RWD Hemi. The closest competition is the Caddy CTS-V which is $15K more!

Too bad there's no German car company big enough
to buy GM, round up all of -their- bean counters,
paint their raisin sacks with meat drippings and
loose the Rottweilers on them, then give product
development back to the stylists and gearheads.

Maybe dinosaurs are -meant- to be extinct. 'Cept
for us gators, of course.

Too bad there's no German car company big enough
to buy GM, round up all of -their- bean counters,
paint their raisin sacks with meat drippings and
loose the Rottweilers on them, then give product
development back to the stylists and gearheads.

Maybe dinosaurs are -meant- to be extinct. 'Cept
for us gators, of course. No Gator fan is gonna Hijack my thread while I'm moderator!

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_devil.gifhttp://www.uslia.com/news/images/floridastate.gifhttp://www.ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_devil.gif

Isnt there an R/T option w/a 400 HP Hemi and 20inchers?

there is rumor of such a beast a come'n.

Too bad there's no German car company big enough
to buy GM, round up all of -their- bean counters,
paint their raisin sacks with meat drippings and
loose the Rottweilers on them, then give product
development back to the stylists and gearheads.

That sounds like a great idea. GM is really pissing me off.

GM has big RWD plans, but it's not really going to start showing until 2007 when all the Commodore based Zeta cars start showing up.

Chrysler has been working on the LX cars since 1998, it looks like all the work and being bought out by Daimler-Benz is finally paying off.

If any of the big three is asleep when it comes to V8 RWD, it's Ford. They've banked their mainstream car future on weak V6, FWD sedans...