Fiat, Chrysler Draw Ever Closer

Sergio Marchionne, chief executive for Fiat and Chrysler, has outlined his five-year plan for both companies. Marchionne’s initiative is far-reaching, one that will separate the sprawling Fiat empire into two companies while drawing Chrysler ever closer to Fiat.

Two Fiats

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Fiat will be separated into two companies – Fiat for autos and Fiat Industrial, the latter comprised of its non-automotive divisions including Iveco trucks and Case New Holland, a producer of construction and farm equipment.

Marchionne’s ambitious five-year plan includes the blending of Fiat and Chrysler operations. The Fiat brand will be introduced to the North American market later this year when the popular Fiat 500 goes on sale (see photos following). In 2012, the Alfa Romeo brand will return with as many as five models available come 2014.

Lancia Revival

Marchionne also announced that Lancia would be revived, getting eight new models including six that it will share with Chrysler Group brands. Lancia will not be sold in North America while Fiat’s other two brands, Ferrari and Maserati, will continue to sell its cars in the United States and Canada.

Fiat controls 20 percent of Chrysler with that number expected to increase to 35 percent eventually. Fiat and Chrysler operations will remain separate although Marchionne hasn’t ruled out that the two automakers may eventually merge.

Big Changes

Marchionne announced that 51 new products will be introduced over the next five years, two-thirds of that total will be Fiat products and one-third Chrysler Group models. If all goes according to plan, the combined automotive operations will produce 6 million cars annually by 2014, exceeding the 5.5 million Marchionne said in December 2008 that automakers need to produce in order to be profitable.

Both Fiat and Chrysler have reported net losses for the first quarter of 2010, but each is expected to be profitable for the year. For Chrysler, that improvement is in stark contrast to more recent years when the automaker lost billions and eventually declared bankruptcy and becoming a ward of Fiat.

Photos courtesy of Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.

Dodge Viper: Dead or Alive?

Chrysler announces production of the final edition Dodge Viper.

The Chrysler Group LLC has announced plans to build 50 “final edition” 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 models before shutting down production for good on this iconic sportscar. Of course, when you dig a bit deeper you learn that these final edition models will be for the current generation Viper, suggesting that an all new Viper is waiting in the wings.

Or is it?

Talk of ending the Viper line has been going on for years with Chrysler even in discussions with other makers to purchase the Viper brand. In May 2009, The Auto Writer reported that Devon Motorworks offered Chrysler just $5.5 million to take the Viper off of their hands, well below the dirt cheap $10 million asking price. Chrysler turned down the offer and once the company cleared bankruptcy and was firmly under the Fiat Group’s control, the Viper was removed from the auction block.

Last Call

By early summer, Chrysler will begin production of the final 50 models, customized cars featuring a graphite clear coat body. Each Viper will feature a black center stripe traced in red and have special side sill badging. The windshields will also be blackened as will the interior, the latter offset by red accent stitching. Yes, numbered dash plaques (1-50) will also be included.

Dodge will break down the final 50 Vipers into three groups: 20 coupes, 18 roadster and 12 American Club Racer models.

Project Lutz

Bob Lutz, the former president of Chrysler was the man behind the creation of the Dodge Viper, believing that the Dodge brand desperately needed a halo model to set itself apart from Chrysler and Plymouth. That first Viper, released for the 1992 model year, was powered by an 8.0L V10 engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

The first Vipers achieved 400 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft of torque. Today’s model features an 8.3L V10 paired with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed transmission. Horsepower had been increased to 600 and torque is at 560 lb.-ft. Zero to sixty time is 3.5 seconds.

Up Next?

Will an all new Viper follow? Well, we won’t see one for the 2011 model year, but Chrysler is hinting that a 2012 Viper or something like it will be made available. Given that Fiat, owner of Ferrari and Maserati has the in-house tools to build such a vehicle, I expect we’ll see something sold that will advance the Viper mystique if not the name.

Let’s hope that it isn’t a warmed over Fiat!

Photo: Chrysler Group LLC

Sculpted Masterpiece: Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

The latest iteration of the Italian supercar!

Exotic car maker Ferrari has scored big in 2009. Earlier this year, customers of the Ferrari California with its famed retractable roof began to see their orders filled. In September, the hard top Ferrari 458 Italia was introduced, the most modern and technologically advanced Ferrari ever. With seven models now available, enthusiasts of the celebrated Italian sports car marque have a stable of “Prancing Horse” stallions to choose from, the largest line up in the automaker’s outstanding eight decade history.

An All New Ferrari

Completely new inside and out, the Ferrari 458 Italia is a two-seater “berlinetta” (little saloon) model, which derives its name from its all new engine — a mid-rear mounted direct injection 4.5L V8 — as well as from its country, Italy. Ferrari thought that it was important to offer tribute to its native land, noting that its newest model reflects her people’s passion, creative flair and embracement of cutting-edge technology.

Bodily evidence of this is found in the 458 Italia’s Pininfarina styling which gives the car a look that is both beautiful to behold as well as highly aerodynamic. Sharp edges, defining bulges and sporty, crisp lines mark the new model which takes its styling cues from the now retired one million dollar Ferrari Enzo F1 racer. The Ferrari 458 Italia officially replaces the aged and heavier Ferrari 430, offering a larger and more powerful engine than its predecessor, yet realizing important fuel economy improvements while emitting fewer emissions.

Sleek Design, Potent Engine

The front of the new Ferrari features a single opening for the grille and side intakes, utilizing aerodynamic sections and profiles which have been designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and to its new, flat underbody. Ferrari included small aeroelastic winglets in the nose piece which helps to add downforce and deform as speed increases, reducing the size of the radiator inlets and further decreasing wind drag.

The engine itself is an engineering achievement and represents Ferrari’s first attempt to mount a direct injection engine in the mid-rear section of the car. An exhilarating, powerful and familiar growl emerges from the engine the moment it kicks on, thundering through the entire frame and out through the exhaust’s triple tip rear tailpipes. Producing 562 horsepower with 398 pound-feet of torque, the engine harmonizes with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, enabling the 458 Italia to travel from zero to sixty in about 3.3 seconds, while topping out at just over two hundred miles per hour. Time to contact the Kansas Speedway about their track rental times!

With no manual gearbox available and no plans to build one, the 458 Italia lacks the only thing that F1 drivers do – shift gears. Still, with the paddle shifters at the ready a measure of control remains with the driver, which is probably for the best when most of your driving is on I-70 or cruising down Metcalf Avenue.

Formula One Champ Advises

The 458 Italia’s cockpit is as close to a F1 duplicate as you’ll ever find thanks to the work of retired seven-time world drivers champion Michael Schumacher who is now a Ferrari advisor. Schumacher counseled Ferrari to move all of the key controls to the steering wheel (shift paddles, start/stop switch, etc.) in an effort to help the driver maintain road concentration, while maximizing control over the supercar.

The Ferrari’s instrument cluster features an ample, central tachometer that redlines at 9,000 rpm and measures up to 10,000 rpm, along with a smaller speedometer on the right side that exceeds 200 mph and a digital information display located on the left side. Secondary controls including heating and air-conditioning, lights and audio are located on either side of the steering wheel.

Controlling Your Ferrari

A car as powerful as the Ferrari 458 Italia needs its share of safety features to make sure that it stays on road or track at all times as well as protects occupants in the event that control is lost.

The newest Ferrari features improved lateral traction, enhanced anti-lock braking and a shorter braking distance than the model it replaces. A more direct steering ratio improves handling, while its 42/58 weight distribution and a curb weight of just over 3000 pounds work in tandem to help rein in the power of this mighty stallion.

Riding on 20” wheels, the Ferrari’s 235/35 tires up front are joined by larger rubber in the back, 295/35 tires which enhance rear grip. You won’t be taking your supercar out in bad weather, but in the event that a sudden storm blows in you’ll still have the confidence that you can return home – in low gear, of course.

Satisfied Workers Build Fantastic Cars

Just 27 Ferraris are built each day at the company’s production facility in Maranello, Italy, which has been rated as the best place to work in the entire automotive industry. Production there is divided between Ferrari’s two newest models – the California, which is sold out until 2011 – and the 458 Italia, the latter which will begin to be delivered to its first customers in early 2010.

Pricing for the Ferrari 458 Italia is set at the dealer level where information about the Ferrari Driving Experience, a two-day precision driving school where students learn about threshold braking, weight transfer, managing acceleration,identifying the ideal driving line on track and discovering the limits of vehicle adhesion in both wet and dry driving situations is also shared. The school, of course, is located in Italy which gives interested Ferrari fans the opportunity to tour the production facility while sampling local culture.

Photo Credit: S.p.A.