Analyst Forecasts New Chrysler and Fiat Models Until 2012 Including Jeep based Alfa GTX SUV

Research firm IHS Global Insight (GI) has released a new analysis forecasting a variety of Chrysler and Fiat Group models to be built in North America between 2011 and 2012. Before we say anything else, we'd advise to pay attention to the words 'analysis' and 'forecast'. That said, don't take everything you read as a fact. The report begins with the Alfa Romeo 169, a BMW 5-Series rival that is said to be built at Chrysler's Ontario factory in Canada with the first models rolling off the assembly line as early as November 2011.

The analyst predicts that the 169 will be based on Chrysler's LX platform which underpins the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger models. While it makes sense for the Italians to use the LX platform, unless Fiat is planning to simply re-skin / re-mask the next-generation Chrysler 300 into an Alfa, in which case, we're talking about a mistake from Fiat's behalf, saying that that the Alfa Romeo 169 will be ready to enter production in about two years time, is quite optimistic. Plus, as you can see in one of Fiat's previous product plans, Alfa was supposedly scheduling to introduce a self-developed 169 in 2009 - what happened to that?

Talking about the LX platform, the forecaster said that due to the bankruptcy of Chrysler LLC and the plant closures, the start of production of the new 2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 have been delayed to November 2010 and January 2011 respectively.

Continuing with the North American-built Fiat models, Global Insight said that the highly successful in Europe, 500 mini, will be made in Toluca, Mexico with U.S. sales starting in July 2011.

The MINI-rivaling 500 will be the only Fiat-badged model to be sold in the States. Since the 500 is based on Fiat's 169 platform, the Toluca plant will also produce the Jeep Panda 4x4, again from July 2011. We're guessing that the Jeep variant will most likely be a remasked version of the European market Panda 4x4.

Next up we have an array of models based on the Fiat Group's C-EVO platform that underpins C-segment cars like the Lancia Delta and Fiat Bravo. The report says that the C-EVO will be used on the next-generation Dodge Journey crossover, Dodge Caliber crossover and Chrysler Sebring sedan. Production is slated to begin for the Journey and Caliber in July 2012 at the Belvidere Assembly Plant, and for the Sebring, in June 2011 at the Toluca assembly plant.

In addition to the above models, the C-EVO platform is also reported to form the base for an Alfa Romeo compact SUV (no date) and weirdly enough, for the successor of the Jeep Liberty (July 2012) with both SUVs said to be produced at the Toledo plant in Ohio.

But the report gets even better as it is predicted that Fiat will produce a larger Alfa Romeo SUV model called the GTX at Chrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant beginning in July 2011. The GTX is said to be based on Jeep's WL platform that underpins the 2011 Grand Cherokee. However, bear in mind that the Grand Cherokee's WL platform is derived from Mercedes-Benz (it was developed during Daimler's reign over the company) so we're not entirely sure if Fiat has the rights to use the platform for one of its own models.

The paper ends with two subcompact hatches, the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo MiTo that will share the same hardware- aka Fiat's 199 B-segment platform. Both cars are reported to be built for the American market at Chrysler's Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois with production slated to begin in March 2011 for the Hornet and July 2011 for the MiTo.

Call us skeptics, but if you want our opinion, we find the forecast extremely optimistic in the sense that Fiat will not only have to develop, design, engineer and test a whole bunch of new cars but also revamp Chrysler's North American factories to build the vehicles and all this in just two years from now.

Jeep Recalling Thousands of Models on Various Issues

Jeep has issued three separate recalls on tens of thousands of models that include the Grand Cherokee, Commander, Liberty and Wrangler. The largest recall concerns 102,354 MY2001-2004 Grand Cherokees equipped with heated seats. According to Jeep, the front seat electric heater elements may work 'overtime', something that could potentially prove hazardous for your buttocks or even worse, start a fire. The firm's dealers will of course replace the heater elements free of charge.

The company also issued a recall on 42,469 MY 2002-2003 Liberty models (Cherokee in Europe) due to a problem with the front suspension upper control arm ball joint that may "experience a loss of lubrication", as stated by Jeep. This could lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and quite possibly, separation while driving, which needless to say, is something that no owner would like to experience.

Jeep said that this particular recall concerns vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in salt belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia , Wisconsin and the district of Columbia.

The third and final recall from Jeep is for 4,336 MY 2009 Grand Cherokee, Commander and Wrangler vehicles. The reason? Well, the driver's airbag wiring may be reversed on these models meaning the bag won't deploy in the event of a crash.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: 500HP+ BMW X5M Rival Rendered

The crew over at Jalopnik have published a speculative sketch along with some inside info on the high-performance SRT8 version of the all-new, Mercedes ML-based, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was revealed at the New York Auto Show. There's no word if the sketch is official or not, so we'll keep this on our 'rumorville' list for now. Jalop's insider claims that the BMW X5M challenging 2012MY Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will receive a new 6.4-liter HEMI V8.

The new HEMI V8 that is also destined for the refreshed Charger and Challenger models in 2011, is said to produce anywhere between 505 and 525HP and around 510 lbs-ft of torque. As you'd expect, the SRT8 will also feature upgraded suspension components and brake system as well as a revised all-wheel drive system.

Via: Jalopnik

Video: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Highlights and Driving Shots

The latest evolution of Jeep's Grand Cherokee takes a stride towards crossover territory promising to offer significant improvements to on-road handling thanks to its Mercedes ML underpinnings that grace Jeep's flagship model with an all around independent suspension. In addition to the 5.7-liter V8 HEMI, the 2011 Grand Cherokee will also be offered with Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine that cranks out 280HP. Hit the jump to watch the first videos of the new Jeepthat made its world premiere at this week's NY Auto Show.

Live Photos of the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee from New York

We don't know about you, but the more we look at the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the more we're warming up to its exterior styling. Check out these live photos that were shot earlier today during the unveiling of the vehicle at the New York Auto Show and tell us what you think about Jeep's new proposal in the SUV segment by leaving us a comment below.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Mercedes ML Based SUV Breaks Cover

Bigger with 'softer', more-crossover-like looks and based on the same underpinnings as the Mercedes-Benz ML; this is the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was unveiled early in the morning ahead of its programmed world debut at the New York Auto Show. From all the above we're pretty sure that the only thing most of you will hold is that, despite the fact the Daimler and Chrysler have parted ways a long time now, the new Grand Cherokee is built on a rear-wheel-drive unibody platform sharing the same underpinnings as the Mercedes-Benz ML.

The new Grand Cherokee rides on a 114.8-inch wheelbase which is 5.3 inches longer than the model it replaces and contributes to an overall vehicle length that is 1.8 inches longer than the prior model. Furthermore, the SUV is also 3 inches wider which should it make it more spacious for passengers and their belongings.

In terms of design, Jeep refined the Grand Cherokee which now looks more like a modern crossover and less like a traditional SUV. Same goes for the interior that has been redesigned from the ground up with Jeep promising soft-touch materials all around.

Underneath the metal, Jeep claims that the new (M-Class) body structure's torsional stiffness is 146 percent stiffer than the outgoing Grand Cherokee and stiffer than the BMW X5 and Toyota Highlander.

Furthermore, the new model is equipped with an all-new independent front and rear suspension that replaces the current Grand Cherokee's live axle setup at the rear. Apart from the apparent benefits in handling, the new rear suspension allows the spare tire to be stored inside the vehicle as opposed to underneath.

The Grand Cherokee will also be available with the new Quadra-Lift air suspension system that features five height settings, one of which provides an additional 3 inches of height for 11.1 inches of ground clearance.

In addition to the Quadra-Lift air suspension, the Grand Cherokee also gets an all-new Selec-Terrain traction control system that electronically coordinates up to 12 different powertrain, braking and suspension systems, including throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Jeep offers three different 4x4 systems for the new Grand Cherokee. The basic Quadra-Trac I delivers full-time four-wheel drive without any switches or levers to pull, while the Quadra-Trac II offers a two-speed transfer case and the ability to route as much as 100 percent of available torque to the axle with the most traction. Finally, the Quadra-Drive II adds a rear Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD) that instantly detects tire slip and distributes engine torque to tires with traction. The Selec-Terrain that we mentioned before is standard with Quadra Trac II and Quadra Drive II.

In North America, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available with two engines, a new flexible fuel 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 280 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm) at 4,800 rpm and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque (520 Nm) at 4,250 rpm. The V6 unit is coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission while the V8 HEMI to a multi-speed automatic transmission.

In Europe and other international markets, the new Grand Cherokee will also be offered with diesel engine(s).