2015 Chrysler 200 Debuts With Trick All-Wheel Drive

After numerous leaks, the 2015 Chrysler 200 has been officially revealed at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

Riding on Alfa Romeo’s Compact Wide platform – the same as the Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Dart – the car has a slightly shorter wheelbase at 108 inches than the generation it replaces. But what’s more notable about the new 200 has less to do with inches and more to do with style. With the new 200, Chrysler is striving to establish itself in the mid-size segment with a product that stands out in both styling and fuel economy.

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Under the hood of the new 200 is a standard 2.4-liter TigerShark four-cylinder engine providing 184 hp and mated to a nine-speed transmission. Also available is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 boasting 295 hp. According to the American automaker, the four-cylinder will be able to achieve up to 35 mpg on the highway, thanks to its nine-speed transmission. What’s more interesting than the nine-speed automatic is the fact that Chrysler will offer the car as both a front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive sedan. the all-wheel drive system can actually disconnect the rear axle to save fuel by reducing parasitic drag. In sport mode, the system will even send 60 percent of the torque to the rear wheels.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

It’s not just the exterior of the 200 that has been remade from bumper to bumper, inside the sedan now features an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen while a standard gear shift lever has been replaced by a rotary knob. The rear seats have 37.6 inches of legroom, which is a mild improvement over the old model. Unfortunately, the heavily styled roofline reduces rear seat headroom. Overall, the cabin has been designed with a more premium look and feel.

Pricing for the 2015 Chrysler 200 has also been announced with the LX model starting from $22,695 including destination. The Limited trim will run $24,250 while the sporty 200S will start at $25,490. The range-topping 200C will be priced from $26,990 and comes with Nappa leather interior, dual climate control and a seven-inch gauge display. The new Chrysler 200 will head to dealerships this spring.