Chrysler Sees AWD as Key Selling Point of New 200

JOLIET, IL – Chrysler hopes to attract new buyers into its showrooms with the addition of all-wheel drive in the ʼ15 200 sedan, John Nulty, chief engineer for the car, says.

“We estimate AWD will account for at least 15% of buyers, higher in areas like the Northeast and Colorado,” he says, in addition to other snowbelt markets.

“We've noticed demand for AWD vehicles has been increasing and we expect it to grow,” Nulty says, adding the Ford Fusion is the only other domestic model to offer AWD.

“We expect demand to grow, because you can opt for AWD in the 200 without a fuel-economy penalty,” the Chrysler engineer says here at the Midwest Automotive Media Assn. ’15-model preview event.

“And the system is transparent; it’s not like an SUV where you have to reach for a transfer case. If it weren't for ‛AWDʼ on the deck lid, you wouldn't know it had it.”

The 200 will add stop/start technology to its 2.4L 4-cyl. this quarter, Nulty says, which should raise fuel economy 3%.