All-New Chrysler 200 repackaged with Italian flair

The All-New Chrysler 200, the midsize family sedan brand of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, has hit the market with drastic changes in design and auto technology.

It has been freshly repackaged, with a revised powertrain, restyled cabin, better fuel efficiency based on nine-speed transmission, and numerous safety features.

This is the first vehicle to be built on the joint platform of Chrysler and Fiat after their merger in 2014 and it is fun to discover how Italian flavors are mixed with the American car.

In exterior design, the merge with Italian Fiat enables the new Chrysler to sport a European look. A coupe-like silhouette is stylish enough to attract Korean drivers who enjoy urban life.

The company said designers took inspiration from such U.S. cities as Sausalito, Califonia and New York.

The real “wow factor” comes from the interior design of the vehicle, based on European elegance.

In the cabin, the 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan offers a European style with a sleek dashboard.

In the center of the dashboard is the infotainment system with 8.4-inch LCD touch screen, enabled with app integration, Wi-Fi hot spot and 3-D navigation features.

What is most interesting in the cabin is the rotary e-shifter installed in the center console, which means there is no shift lever for transmission. It allows more storage space below the center console with “pass-throughs.’’

When drivers get used to the rotary shifter they will realize its convenience.

A test drive on the highway is satisfactory in terms of fuel efficiency and safety features.

The new 200 comes standard with Chrysler’s 2.4-liter MultiAir 2 engine producing 184 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque, which the company said improved fuel economy by 13 percent compared to the outgoing model.

The nine-speed automatic transmission also improved the fuel efficiency of the gasoline-powered new Chrysler 200. This new 200 is the industry’s first midsize sedan with a standard nine-speed automatic transmission.

On the highway drive, the fuel economy posted 13 kilometers per liter on average.

Safety features of the upscale “200C’’ trim is quite impressive. It includes adaptive cruise control, a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross path detection, forward-collision warning and lane departure warning.

Based on a three-day experience, simply put, the new Chrysler 200 with a new look and better performance will be competitive in the premium midsize sedan market in Korea. Another factor to make it a dark horse in the segment is the affordable price.

The luxury “200C’’ trim is 37.8 million won (tax included), while “200 limited’’ trim is priced at 31.8 million won. Both are cheaper than similar models of their Japanese and German rivals.

Last but not least, some of discomforts found on the test drive are smaller side view mirrors and bigger wheels than other cars in the segment. When in motion, drivers can detect the engine noise.

By Seo Jee-yeon (jyseo@heraldcorp.com)