The K cars have been categorized as compact for their external size and small front-wheel drive layout. Technically, the K cars include only the Dodge Aries, Plymouth Reliant, second generation Chrysler LeBaron, and the Dodge 400, which used the K platform. The rest of the K-derivatives, including Chrysler’s minivans, were based on the K platform with adaptations and modifications to suit vehicles of different size and intended usage. These vehicles had modified suspensions and were longer and heavier than the original K-cars, but all had the same basic architecture: a solid beam rear axle, independent front suspensions with MacPherson struts, and front-wheel drive (except for the AWD minivans). Sometimes, they also shared numerous internal components and trim pieces (e.g. the Reliant and first-generation Voyager).

At this point it is extremely important to note that my enthusiasm for Fiats is due to the fact that I’m a Paisano, thus was raised on ‘em. I can most assuredly assure you with assured assurance that the average North American is going to step out of his Dodge Ram 3500 dually diesel and into a Fiat Panda and start looking for the Fisher Price logo. Fiats are way too tiny for North American to look at them as anything other than a novelty toy like the Smart Car. However, we can’t compare Smart Cars with Fiats in anything other than size, as the engineering and quality control in a Smart Car compares to a Fiat in much the same way that a Bentley Continental GT compares with a homebuilt downhill derby race cart.

Body
Wheelbase    116.1
Chassis
Tires Front    P245/45/R20
Tires Rear    P245/45/R20
Front Suspension    Front-independent
Rear Suspension    Rear-indenpendent
Drivetrain
Layout    Rear-wheel drive
Engine
Type:    Electric
Engine & Transmission
Power bhp (kW) at RPM:    268hp
Exterior
Body Type    4-passenger sedan
Length    192.1
Width    73.6
Height    57.3
Performance
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)    7 seconds (approx)
Range    up to 400 miles (644km)

Dodge Viper’s Conner Avenue factory in Detroit on Monday, the firm plans to resume production of vehicles at seven more assembly plants in North America by the end of June. According to Chrysler, two factories are in Michigan, one is in Missouri and one in Ohio, while the automaker will also restart production at its assembly plants in Windsor and Brampton, Canada and in Toluca, Mexico.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro car that can be purchased in two forms, two-door convertible and four-door station wagon. The PT Cruiser is front-wheel drive and comfortably seats five passengers. The American version offers a 2.4-litre petrol engine while the European version also offers a 2.2-litre diesel option. The car’s production began in 2001 and continues to date. The PT Cruiser is available in several models including the Classic Edition, Limited Edition, the Touring Edition, the Dream Cruiser, the Street Cruiser, the Pacific Coast Highway Edition, and the GT Cruiser.

About a week after emerging from bankruptcy protection and finalizing a deal with the Fiat Group, Chrysler Group LLC confirmed today that in addition to the reopening of the Dodge Viper’s Conner Avenue factory in Detroit on Monday, the firm plans to resume production of vehicles at seven more assembly plants in North America by the end of June. According to Chrysler, two factories are in Michigan, one is in Missouri and one in Ohio, while the automaker will also restart production at its assembly plants in Windsor and Brampton, Canada and in Toluca, Mexico.

According to a new study from financial advisory firm Grant Thornton LLP, European and Asian automakers will churn out more cars in North America than Detroit’s ‘Big Three’ by 2012. The study expects that after the completion of the restructuring of the domestic auto industry, the combined capacity of General Motors, Chrysler Group LLC and Ford in North America will fall by more than 4 million units or a 35 percent reduction compared to 2008, for a total of 7.5 million units in 2012.

In an interview in New York on Wednesday, Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that one of the first priorities of the partnership is to decide how to handle the Dodge and Alfa Romeo brands, which he sees as American and European counterparts. It sounds crazy but one of the scenarios being examined by Marchionne is the possibility to sell Alfa Romeo models under the Dodge brand in the U.S. and Dodge cars as Alfa Romeos in Europe.

Here’s some good news for muscle-car enthusiasts. The Chrysler Group announced today the company has decided to continue production of the Dodge Viper SRT10 after all. Following several failed attempts to sell off its Dodge Viper business unit, the Detroit automaker had originally made plans to cease production of the V10-powered sports car in December, 2009. Since the introduction of the first generation Viper in 1995, Dodge has built more than 25,000 Vipers.

Porsche has released new details on their upcoming 2010 911 GT3 RS. The car will be powered by a modified 3.8-liter boxer engine from the original GT3 model with a total output of 450-horsepower. The car is claimed to reach 0-100 km/h in just 4 seconds with a top speed of 314 km/h. Meanwhile, the exterior parts will feature a two-tone paint scheme, a set of 19-inch wheels, a center mounted exhaust from titanium and a massive wing made from carbon fiber. The 2010 911 GT3 RS will go on sale in January, 2010 in Germany with a base price of 122,400 Euro.

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