Tag Archives: Sergio Marchionne
Will There Be a New Dodge Viper?
The Dodge Viper is probably one of the most iconic cars of our generation. With its production tracing back from 1992 to 2010 and then making a comeback in 2012, it was sad to see it go last year. So, during the recent interview of Fiat Chrysler Automotive CEO Sergio Marchionne, he was asked if there are plans to revive the sports car.
Based on Marchionne’s statement, the future of the Viper remains bleak. He said that the Viper cannot stand on its own because it needs to share its architecture. Then, it needs a platform specifically designed to house its American engine. Another factor holding back the return of the sports car was its low sales volume.
With that, the rumors about the sixth-generation Dodge Viper were doused. It was previously speculated that there were plans for the new model to ditch its V10 engine in favor of a new naturally-aspirated V8. The unit will be able to produce 558 hp for its base trim and up to 710 hp for its range-topping trim. Reports claimed too that the upcoming Viper will get a lighter platform, but it will retain its distinctive shape as well as its front-engine and rear-drive set-up.
For now, it appears that the fate of the Viper has been sealed though.
Dodge Continuing the Charger and Challenger
Despite the heartbreaking developments about the Viper, Dodge will go on with its Charger and Challenger models. Marchionne said that the two will get an upgraded architecture.
The FCA CEO noted that they will likely continue using the Giorgio platform for the cars. However, the architecture needs an upgrade to make the models more competitive. He hinted that by the time they are finished reworking the current platform, we might not be able to recognize it from its origins.
Chrysler Has A New Pacifica-Based Crossover SUV Coming
It looks like Chrysler is adding up to its lineup with a crossover SUV based on the Pacifica minivan. That is quite ironic since the brand repurposed the old Chrysler Pacifica crossover’s name for a minivan and then later on, that very same van yielded another crossover.
The information that FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed in his interview with MotorTrend is an exciting development from Chryler. That’s because nothing much is going on with the brand in the past months, except for the departure of the 200.
With only the 300 and the Pacifica currently in its lineup, Chrysler is looking to market its brand to another market—specifically, people who doesn’t want either a large sedan or a minivan. Both these segments are giving up their share of the market for the crossover, which will have three rows and will reportedly in 18 months.
This is the right step for Chrysler since companies like Subaru and Volkswagen have also expanded their market to that of the crossover segment. The decision, of course, to use a Pacifica-based crossover will be beneficial to the crossover’s market. After all, a Pacifica platform offers more advantages than spewing just another model.
There are some “unique opportunities” in store for the new crossover since it will be using the Pacifica platform. Finally, we could have a crossover that has a spacious cargo and passenger space. There is also the possibility of adapting the PHEV powertrain to the new crossover.
Plug-in crossovers haven’t been tried by “ordinary” brands, except for Mitsubishi, though the Japanese automaker only tried the plug-in variant with its luxurious Outlander PHEV. That being said, the Chrysler has a chance to offer a larger PHEV than the Outlander.
Do Electric Cars Really Serve as Cleaner Alternatives?
There is a popular belief that electric cars are environment-friendly because of their zero emission values. However, Ferrari and Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is not buying it.
Ferrari has shown us their hybrid car concept for the 599 back in 2010, their latest hybrid Ferrari LaFerrari, and their Formula One cars are now using a hybrid powertrain that is proving to be a major challenge for the reigning champion, Mercedes. Despite that, it seems electric cars do not sit well with Ferrari executives. The fans of the brand share the same sentiment too. After all, the brand has been known for its powerful cars ran by combustion engines.
Marchionne pointed out in an interview with CNBC that electric cars may not be as clean as they seem. He said that the full environmental impact of electric vehicles or EVs must be analyzed thoroughly. He recommended a full examination on the origin of the electric power, where it comes from, the manufacture of its batteries, cost in terms of carbon dioxide and its environmental impact.
The CEO pointed out that if they are using nuclear power in the production of such, then he has no issue about it as he thinks that is the right thing. He explained that if companies are still using fossil fuel to produce EVs, there is a bigger issue regarding the matter.
The report claimed that as of now, Ferrari has no public plans to develop EVs. Ferrari execs and fans defended their stance with the fact that electric cars would not fit in the brand’s image. However, the source stated that their position might change due to the strong push of governments worldwide for electrification in order to curb pollution.
It should be noted that Fiat Chrysler does have its own electric models as well, but Marchionne revealed that the company is losing as much as $20,000 for every electric model of the Fiat 500.
Is There A Ferrari SUV In The Works?
For many years now, car enthusiasts and experts have been wondering whether there will be a day that a Ferrari SUV will come zooming beside them on a stoplight. That would give commoners plenty of reasons and time to ogle at probably the most expensive SUV in the market.
In a report by CarAndDriver, Ferrari CEO and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles head Sergio Marchionne said, “You have to shoot me first” before we’ll ever get to see a Ferrari SUV. That seems to change now because more and more high-end auto brands are being seduced by the big chunk of market ready to spend money on an SUV.
High-end brands such as Porsche, Bentley, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Rolls Royce are diving into the pool of luxurious SUV production because of the fat profits gained from selling the auto. Now, there are also reports that Ferrari is readying its version of SUV (codename Project F16X).
The public will likely see the arrival of the Ferrari SUV in 2020, along with the follow-up to the GTC4Lusso. Right now, the Lusso is already an all-wheel drive, but thanks to the platform being developed for the F16X, it can get a higher ride height and a four-door coupe body.
The GTC4 will continue offering a V-12 engine while Ferrari’s planned SUV variant will most probably have a V-8 or hybrid powertrains.
Rise in Profit
Although Marchionne might have problems with the current Ferrari plan to have an SUV, it wouldn’t take much to convince him to try it out. The brand currently produces 8,000 to 16,000 units of Ferrari cars. Having an SUV, with that big of a market, in your lineup will significantly up the profit.
In truth, there is no indication that Ferrari would call this an SUV. It can be a crossover or Ferrari could simply create something out of thin air for the SUV.