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Are We Getting a Chrysler 200 Diesel Variant?

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Are We Getting a Chrysler 200 Diesel Variant?

The 2015 Chrysler 200 was a key player for Chrysler Group’s August 2014 sales.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) might soon be offering a Chrysler 200 diesel variant here in the United States. There’s a lot of he said, she said to this theory, but I promise, it’s a sound one.

It starts with Allpar, the dedicated site for all things Mopar. Reportedly, some sneaky sleuth over at Allpar got into FCA’s dealer website, DealerConnect, which is a secure site for dealerships to get the latest info on ordering, specials, and more. While in the site, the aforementioned sneaky sleuth stumbled upon something peculiar: a 2.2-liter 16-valave DeTomaso engine was listed for the 2015 Chrysler 200.


Vehicle Research: 2017 Chrysler 200 Overview


Hold the phone. DeTomaso is a familiar name. It’s that Italian automaker (now deceased, may it rest in peace) that never designed its own engines, but instead bought them from other innovators. Why would the engine be named the DeTomaso, a company that notoriously didn’t build its own engines? Given how secretive the folks at FCA are being (more on this later), I have to think it might be a ruse to confuse us, even dealers, until the automaker is ready to make an official announcement.

Let’s instead consider the fact that this engine is listed for the 2015 Chrysler 200. Last I checked, the 2015 model has two engine options. It’s got a 3.6-liter V6 and a 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4. Both of these are conventional, gas-powered engines. The Tigershark engine is relatively new and is thus unlikely to be considered for a refresh anytime soon. The 2.0-liter engine, however, is currently undergoing a reworking. According to Automotive News, however, this has been codenamed Hurricane, not DeTomaso. Plus, the Hurricane won’t be ready until next year, meaning it could never be implemented in the 2015 Chrysler 200 model.

Are We Getting a Chrysler 200 Diesel Variant? FCA's Tigershark engine

FCA’s Tigershark engine

So what the heck is this strange engine?

Larry P. Vellequette of Automotive News did some digging (so that my lazy bones don’t have to). Vellequette, with a number of hilarious Scooby Doo references, recounts his experience in reaching out to Eric Mayne, the spokesman for FCA’s powertrain division. Reportedly, Mayne flat out denied that the mysterious 2.2-liter DeTomaso exists. Of course, half of the job of spokespeople is to throw reporters off the scent.

Well played, Mayne, but perhaps not well enough. Automotive News kept digging, and it turns out that Alfa Romeo (another FCA brand) is working on a 2.2-liter turbodiesel right now, which will produce between 135 and 210 horsepower. Of course, this engine is meant for a model outside of the US—at least, when planted in an Alfa Romeo.

So, to recap, the FCA brand, Alfa Romeo, is working on a 2.2-liter engine. DealerConnect lists the 2015 Chrysler 200 as having a 2.2-liter engine that doesn’t exist. It’s very possible that this is a sign that the Alfa Romeo engine in development, which is a diesel, could be this secret new engine for the Chrysler 200, which would mean we very well could be getting a Chrysler 200 diesel model.


More on Chrysler Engines: Fiat Chrysler’s EcoDiesel V6 Engine Earns Recognition on Wards 10 Best Engines List


That would be the perfect answer to Volkswagen, which currently owns the diesel market here in the United States (though Chevy’s made a slight play for it as well). But is the theory correct? I can’t be quite sure yet, but it’s certainly a fascinating one. Keep checking in with us for updates. Hopefully, we’ll have a clear answer soon.

News Source: Allpar, Automotive News (sub. req.)