QOTD: Favorite Product of the Marchionne Era?
We awoke to news of former Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne’s passing yesterday and, naturally, tributes and recollections poured in for the man who brought Chrysler (Group LLC) back from the brink for a second time. A sad day for fans of Marchionne’s leadership, not to mention aficionados of quirky, outspoken individualists.
But today, let’s think back to the products. From the early days of Chrysler’s recovery to the fully unified Fiat Chrysler era, Marchionne oversaw a number of model introductions — some of them high-caliber, others regretful. Maybe you owned a Dart or 200. Hell, maybe you loved them.
That’s what we want to hear about today.
Our target period here spans a decade — from June 2009 until last week. The model (or generation of model) doesn’t have to have been introduced under Marchionne, as there’s no shortage of FCA rolling stock that predates his tenure. Hell, the previous-generation Ram 1500 is still in production after first appearing in late 2008 for the 2009 model year. Maybe a used Ram Rebel is still on your shopping list.
It’s hard to ignore brashness and horsepower, so we imagine the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and limited-run Demon might see a few mention in the comments. My personal choice, however, is the 2015 (and onwards) Challenger, regardless of trim and powertrain. That was the year FCA took what was already a good design and refreshed it into perfection.
Before that model, I just couldn’t entirely get behind the Challenger — the full-width tail lights and body-color lower rear bumper made the coupe look ten feet tall when viewed from the rear, but the changes made for 2015 fixed everything. Gone too was the chunky, outdated interior.
I hesitate to add another product to my list as an honorable mention, as I’m not a van guy. Or at least I didn’t think I was, until I laid eyes on the Chrysler Pacifica S — a mean-looking, murdered-out minivan that’s a TTAC segment favorite. What a difference an appearance package makes. Chis Tonn’s gaga for it, and don’t get us started on vanophile Posky.
But let’s turn the mic over to you, B&B. What FCA model from the past nine years stands out among all the rest?
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
More by Steph Willems
Comments
Join the conversation
I wanted to chime in: Hellcat FTW. At first I thought it was ridiculous for a 700 HP street car, but I later fell in love with it and now want to blow any lottery winnings on one. Come on SuperLotto!
Sergio brought dying Chrysler back to life with a flair only an Italian could bring to it. First, just the improvements brought to the interior of FCA vehicles from 2011 on brought me back to considering FCA vehicles. My first experience was in a 2011 Chrysler 300 rental. I'd never liked the first gen due to the gun-slit visibility, which was not complemented by the cheap Rubbermaid interior. That 2011 looked and felt much better inside than any previous Chrysler product. Still not VW/Audi quality, but vastly superior to anything before it and GM products. My last LX car rental was a 2015 Charger SXT and if I could justify that large of a car, I'd have one. The V6, 8 speed was more than adequate, if just a tad slow shifting. But it handled the cut and thrust driving required on I-95 extremely well, still returning better than 28 mpg with a large amount of comfort ( VA drivers, move out of the left lane. And eff your infinite amount of vanity tags too.) My uncle has had a V8 Challenger and now a 392 Challenger. The 392 is his favorite and this is from an old school car guy who's had 45 cars and various motorcycles over his life. He was a diehard GM guy too. I had a Ram pickup as a rental for a week and it was fine. For the possible savings over a similar Ford, it'd be a contender for my pick-up money. My brother just bought a used 4x4 Big Horn with the V6. He likes it, so far, better than his other trucks which included a first year Titan V8 and multiple F-150's, the last being a 2014 FX2. Highly impractical and odd, I will always love the Fiat 500 Abarth convertible. I still pine for the 2017 I saw at a CJD dealer in truck country. Grigio cenre ( light grey, almost whitish) with matching top and the bronze multi-spoke wheels. Handsome and unique looking car. Honorable mention is the 2013 GQ car I drove that I should have bought for nearly half price. Stupid fun, big grin kind of car, if not a perfect speed machine. And then there's Guilia. Before buying my Golf, I was considering leasing a Giulia. Went and drove one, a Ti RWD that was the demo. The terms changed and the lease was no longer a decent deal. But that test drive affirmed all those anecdotes about Alfa's being drivers cars. I REALLY wanted that car and in hindsight, I could have done it as a lease, but it just not to be. My Golf is a great car and it does what I ask it to. But it ain't an Alfa.