2006 Chrysler 300 Base on 2040-cars

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Google's deal with FCA is the 'first phase' of partnership

Google and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles confirmed a partnership Tuesday in which the two companies will collaborate on creating autonomous minivans. The two companies will work together to build and test approximately 100 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans, and they first of the bunch could hit the road by the end of the year. This marks the first time Google has worked with a traditional automaker in designing a self-driving car since the start of its autonomous project in 2009. "FCA will design the minivans so it's easy for us to install our self-driving systems, including the computers that hold our self-driving software and the sensors that enable our software to see what's on the road around the vehicle," Google said in a written statement. "The minivan design also gives us an opportunity to test a larger vehicle that could be easier for passengers to enter and exit, particularly with features like hands-free sliding doors." "Those of us in the tech industry recognize how hard it is to build cars." – Jennifer Haroon. That could be particularly important if Google and FCA intend to launch the autonomous minivans as a competitor to traditional public transportation options. Chris Urmson, the director of Google's self-driving car project, indicated that may be a potential business model during a public meeting on autonomous operations last week. "Public transit executives could be buying autonomous minivans rather than expensive buses," he said. "Federal standards determine what kinds of vehicles cities can use for transit. This needs attention." In the Pacifica, Google's engineers get an all-new minivan. Chrysler showcased the vehicle for the first time in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and sales of the non-hybrid versions of the vans went on sale last month. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne says further collaboration between his company and Google is possible. "This first phase of the operation is very targeted. It's designed to take Google technology into the minivan. It's very, very focused," he said, according to Automotive News. The collaboration won't be Google's first experience with hybrids. The Lexus RX 450h SUV is one of the two cars in its current test fleet, which consists of approximately 70 vehicles. With roughly 100 autonomous minivans slated to be part of the collaboration, Google's test fleet will more than double.

Some Jeep Cherokees and Chrysler 200s to get standard stop-start in 2015

Automakers the world over are striving to find ways to make their models more efficient, and Chrysler has a solution for some versions of the 2015 Chrysler 200 and 2015 Jeep Cherokee (2014 model shown). The Tigershark 2.4-liter four-cylinder in the 200 and the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 in the Cherokee are getting a slight boost later this year thanks to the addition of Chrysler's Engine Stop-Start system as standard equipment. The company predicts modest gains - a three-percent improvement in fuel economy and a three percent reduction in CO2 emissions with the new tech compared to without it. While it's not much, those who sit in traffic a lot may see a difference.
Chrysler's stop/start system uses a high-speed starter motor to restart the vehicle in a claimed a third of a second. It works by detecting when the vehicle comes to a stop and turning off the engine. A more powerful battery maintains all of the model's accessories while it sits. When the driver lets off the brake, the car starts up again to drive away. There is even a button in the cabin to turn the ESS off, if desired.
The Jeep will be the first to receive ESS in the third quarter of this year to coincide with the start of production of the 2015 model-year version. The 200 will follow in the fourth quarter as a rolling change in production.

Autoline streaming live from Detroit Auto Show right now

As you can already see, the Autoblog team is digging deep to bring you everything from the Detroit Auto Show media days today and tomorrow, with obsessive coverage of all of the new sheetmetal, hot concepts and industry news. But we're hardly alone in Cobo Hall, and our friend John McElroy and his Autoline team have fired up a live video webcast with interviews from the show floor that you can watch right now by scrolling below. The daily streaming broadcasts start at 1:00 PM Eastern today and tomorrow, with a large number of A-list executives, designers, and product planners from both domestic and foreign automakers are expected to sit in. Interviewees scheduled to appear include Al Gardner, President and CEO of Chrysler; David Zuchowski, brand-new President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America; Doug Scott, Truck Group Marketing Manager at Ford; and Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer at Kia. For the live feed and a full list of guests for both days, scroll below. Live broadcast by Ustream [Pop-out Chat Window] Day One Al Gardner, President and CEO, Chrysler Brand Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America Doug Scott, Truck Group Marketing Manager, Ford Tim Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer, Global Chevrolet Heiko Schmidt, Head of C-Class Product Planning, Mercedes-Benz USA Filip Brabec, Product Planning Manager, Audi of America Day Two Bob Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Global Cadillac Dave Zuchowski, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America Mike Manley, President & CEO, Jeep Brand Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer, Kia Tom Kearns, Chief Designer, Kia Design Center America Jim Lentz, COO, Toyota Motor NA Tony Nicolosi, President & CEO, Volvo Cars North America Jose Munoz, Executive VP & Chairman, Nissan Americas Auto News Detroit Auto Show Audi BMW Chrysler Ford Kia Videos Detroit Autoblog 2014 Detroit Auto Show autoline Peter Schreyer