Samaonline.org - Cars Trump Boats at February Luncheon





Chrysler Showcases the all-new 2011 Line-up at Miami Beach by Giulianna D. Levin, photos by Pepe Delfino About 45 members and guests gathered at the Gansevoort Miami Beach Ocean Terrace hotel on Tuesday, March 22, for SAMA’s luncheon for the month, marking a third consecutive successful event to start off the new year. Chrysler was our sponsor, and on display were the company’s lineup for 2011: the all-new 200 sedan and 200 convertible; the flagship 300 sedan; and the iconic Town & Country minivan. Representing the company were Lisa Barrow, East Region Communications Manager, and Kathy Graham, from the Brand Communications office, along with vehicle presenters Andy Love, Head of Chrysler 200 Product Marketing; Ben Winter, Head of engineering for C, D and Minivan Platforms; Dan Kirk, Chrysler 300 Engineering; and Ed Del Otero, Chrysler 300 Product Marketing. Complete information is included in press kits that were distributed at the luncheon and also is available on the webiste, www.media.chrysler.com. Here are some highlights from the presentations: 200 Exterior and sheet metal upgrades include front and rear fascias and fenders, grille featuring the new Chrysler brand winged badge, new hood, LED positioning light pipe in front headlamps, rear deck lid and exterior mirrors, new projector headlamps and fog lamps, new LED tail lamps and an LED center high-mounted stoplight. The suspension was completely re-engineered. The track is an inch wider, tire width has been increased from 215 to 225 mm, and the 200 has been lowered 12 mm in the front and 6 mm in the rear for a lower, wider, more substantial stance from the vehicle that preceded it, the Sebring. The 200 is offered with the proven 2.4-liter I-4 engine that produces 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque ( or the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that produces 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2011 200 sedan is available in four different configurations in the United States -- the Chrysler 200 LX, 200 Touring, 200 Limited and 200 S (late availability) 200 Convertible The new Chrysler 200 Convertible sports a new design and new sheet metal, and the choice of a soft or hard top. A new power train option features the all-new Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that provides 283 horsepower without sacrificing fuel economy. The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible is available in three different configurations in the United States – the Chrysler 200 Convertible Touring model, 200 Convertible Limited model and the 200 Convertible S (late availability) model. Town and Country The new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine powers the Town & Country. It features a new front fascia and grille inspired by the all-new 300 and shared across all the new Chrysler brand vehicles. A new hood, and projector-style front fog lamps round out the exterior upgrades to the front. New for 2011 is the rear lift gate with curved back glass, body-color rear spoiler, fascia and lift gate scuff pad with bright stripe, rear light bar and new LED tail lamps. A chrome molding that runs across the entire length of the vehicle connects to the bodyside molding to pull the whole package together. Quad seating option is available for first- and second-row passengers in 2011. The suspension receives major upgrades, and the new power train delivers best-in-class horsepower without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine produces 283 horsepower, or 86 more horsepower than the outgoing 3.8-liter V-6 engine, and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The Pentastar V-6 is mated to the 62TE six-speed automatic transmission. The 2011 Chrysler Town & Country is available in the United States in three different models: the Chrysler Town & Country Touring, Town & Country Touring L and Town & Country Limited 300 The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan delivers best-in-class V-6 engine power and new second-generation E-segment chassis architecture. Uconnect Touch delivers the segment’s largest standard touchscreen display (8.4-inch) and offers state-of-the-art connectivity, segment-leading Garmin® navigation with world-class functionality and SIRIUS Travel Link for real-time weather, fuel prices and more. New active safety features include adaptive-forward lighting, Forward Collision Warning and Blind-spot Monitoring. The 300C builds upon that legacy with the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine delivering 363 horsepower, 0-60 mph performance in less than 6 seconds and up to 25 highway mpg. It’s available in all-wheel drive an dcomes in four trim levels: 300, 300 Limited, 300c, and 300c AWD. We want to thank Chrysler for sponsoring the luncheon and for presenting the company’s attractive lineup of vehicles. In the brief business session that followed the presentations, SAMA member Daniel Romagnoli reminded everyone about the vintage car rally he has coming up, the Everglades 300 Miles, on March 25-26. You can learn more information at his website www.floridavintagecarrally.com. President Paul Borden and Treasurer Marcello Serrato also gave updates. Marcello noted how our membership continues to grow with two new members added this month. Simon Gomez has rejoined after a brief absence, and Myles Kornblatt is a new member from St. Augustine. Everyone should remember that the annual membership fees are due. Check the website to determine what your fee is ($50 for individual press, among others). The next monthly luncheon will be Friday, April 22, and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. or the April luncheon (more details to follow). We also will have a special event on May 2 when Mark Templin, vice president and general manager, Lexus Division of Toyota Motor Corp., visits. Circle the dates and watch your email for more information. Click here for enlarged images.	Ric Green, Bill Adam, and Jason Alpert Ed Del Otero, Chrysler 300 Product Marketing Matt Davis, Chrysler Andy Love, Head of Chrysler 200 Product Marketing Dan Kirk, Chrysler 300 Engineering Matt Davis and Kathy Graham, Chrysler

Lisa Barrow, East Region Communications Manager, Chrysler Woodie Lesesne and Giselle Delgado Pepe Delfino and Pepe Forte Jaime Florez and Diego Cichero Rick Baker, Marisa Osborn, and Rich Babl Rick Baker, Tony Lesesne, and Marisa Osborn Ady Coutinho, Maria Ravani, Martha Lucia Gomez, and Jaime Florez Gaby Delfino, Marcelo Serrato, and Giulianna Levin Marco Altamirano and CJ McCann	Mark Elias and Teresa Bravo Kurt Ernst and Paul Borden Ed Del Otero and Angelo Serrato Martha Lucia Gomez, Jaime Florez, and Pepe Delfino Marisa Osborn, Rick Baker, Andy Love, and Woodie Lesesne Johnny Tapanes and Lisa Barrow Dr. Ray Mumery, Kurt Ernst, and Mark Elias Marcelo Serrato and Martha Lucia Gomez