Chrysler will present a limited-edition final model of the PT Cruiser which is scheduled to end production this year, interior trim and exterior finish upgrades to the 300 series and interior improvements and more standard equipment to the Town & Country minivan. The Nitro lineup has also been revised and renamed for 2010, and will be on show in Detroit this month, offering new exterior and interior styling detailing and new standard features and safety equipment. The Jeep brand will also roll out some new trim upgrades and special editions at the Detroit Motor Show. The Liberty Renegade has a new more-rugged appearance while the Wrangler lineup is expanded with two limited-edition models – Wrangler Islander and Wrangler Mountain.

With no new models to present Chrysler Group has instead announced an wide array of special editions and trim upgrades across its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge model range for this month's North American Auto Show which takes place in its hometown, Detroit. Chrysler won't host a press conference at the event but it will show off some models from the Fiat Group, led out by a Ferrari sports car.

Chrysler

In Detroit Chrysler will present a limited-edition final model of the PT Cruiser which is scheduled to end production this year, interior trim and exterior finish upgrades to the 300 series and interior improvements and more standard equipment to the Town & Country minivan.

"The 2010 Chrysler spring collection vividly illustrates the Chrysler brand’s reinvigoration of the connection between refinement and excitement, innovation and involvement, comfort and couture, and people and the road,” said Olivier Francois, President and CEO of the Chrysler Brand. "Chrysler’s new 300 S6 and 300 S8 models take the most awarded vehicle in its class, to a more passionate and youthful direction; the new Chrysler Town & Country Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series, the most innovative family vehicle on the road today, offers a great palette to show how stylish our minivans can be while delivering the innovations and irreplaceable functionality Chrysler minivans are known for; and the Chrysler PT Cruiser Couture Edition, gives one of the most timeless vehicles on the road today an added dose of sophistication to its already head-turning good looks.”

The Chrysler brand's most respected model, the 300, is set to be shown in two new versions at the Detroit Motor Show, the 300 S6 (3.5-liter V-6 engine) and 300 S8 (HEMI V-8 engine) sees the sedan trade-in in full-chromed front grille and fascia accents for a blacked-out grille with chromed surround and body-color fascia accents along with darkened headlamp bezels, body-color door mirrors and large 20-inch polished face wheels with painted recesses.

The cabins of the new Chrysler 300 S6 and 300 S8 feature a steering wheel with carbon weave that is accented with red stitching and brushed silver spokes. Bolstered Dark Slate Gray leather front seats feature an embroidered “300 S” logo on the seatback. Specially perforated Dark Slate Gray suede fills the front and rear seats, seatback and seat cushion with hints of red accent beneath. The Dark Slate interior theme continues around the driver and passenger side and is highlighted with brushed aluminum accents on the instrument panel center stack, center console side trim and upper-door trim. Carbon-weave door-pull handles with red accent stitching finish off the interior of both 300 S6 and 300 S8 models.

Chrysler's Town & Country minivan will be shown in a new Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series featuring a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. In addition, this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country features an improved interior with seating and trim combinations in Dark Slate Gray and Light Shale. Macassar Range wood trim is paired with satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. All-new, two-tone Light Shale seats with Dark Slate Gray bolsters feature perforated leather and are finished with French-seamed stitching. Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, Media Center 430 radio with touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive media storage, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, heated first- and second-row seating and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring.

Exterior equipment on the Chrysler Town & Country Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series, which must be one of the longest model names currently on sale on the market, includes the availability of all-new Deep Cherry Red Pearl Coat exterior paint, seven-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with platinum-chromed finish, chromed belt, fascia accents and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and “Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series” front door badging. Available features on this special-edition 2010 Chrysler Town & Country include segment-exclusive SIRIUS Backseat TV, Media Center 730N with navigation and real-time traffic monitoring, minivan-first Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) accident-avoidance safety systems and the 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine that achieves a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg. MSRP for the Town & Country Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series is $33,365 (including $820 destination) and will arrive at Chrysler dealerships nationwide in the first-quarter of 2010.
 
In commemorating a decade of the PT “Personal Transportation” Cruiser, which is due to be discontinued at the end of the year, the new PT Cruiser Couture Edition, will attempt to bolster sales which have faded away in recent months. Starting with the PT Cruiser Classic, the Couture Edition features new trim details and colours. With its fenders and high belt-line painted in Bright Silver Metallic, and upper body and roofline that recalls 1930s and 1940s era hot-rod styling in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl with accent red pinstripe, the PT Cruiser Couture Edition draws straight from Lancia's trademark 'bi-colore' looks. To complete the exterior appearance, it features chromed body-side moldings, door handles, 16-inch polished aluminum wheels and grille highlights. Inside there are chromed detail rings to highlight the gloss black instrument panel’s three gauges, rotating air vents and Chrysler signature analog clock. The Pastel Slate Gray interior is highlighted by Satin Silver instrument panel and console accents, with all-new Radar Red leather or Dark Slate Gray seats to deliver a premium look and feel. MSRP for the PT Cruiser Couture Edition is $19,995 (including $720 destination) and arrives at Chrysler dealerships nationwide in the first-quarter of 2010.

Dodge

A few Dodge vehicles will get some new specification-level upgrades for the coming year which will be shown in Detroit, notably the Journey minivan which will benefit from a higher-specified entry level version that will sell for $20,995 plus some new top-end versions, including the Uptown. The Caliber's improved interior (designed to address criticism of the original cabin) that debuted in Frankfurt last autumn, will also be on the stand while the Nitro gets shakeup of its range offering.

“For 2010, the Dodge brand’s new lifestyle model lineup delivers rides with more excitement, features and value than ever before,” reckons Ralph Gilles – President and CEO of the Dodge brand. “From the restyled interior of the new Dodge Caliber, to the 23 percent more standard horsepower in the re-excited Dodge Nitro lineup, to the new content-loaded Dodge Journey and Dodge Avenger models, we have packed in more features throughout the Dodge product lineups to empower our customers to do more, have more fun and live their lives to the fullest.”

The Journey offers several revised models with upgraded features, all-wheel-drive capability and seven-passenger seating. Compared with its previous lineup, the new entry-level Journey model gives customers more standard features, including 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, sunscreen glass, body-color mirrors, floor mats and passenger grab handles. A standard 2.4-liter World Engine powers the Journey and delivers 25 miles per gallon (mpg) highway fuel economy. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2010 Dodge Journey is $20,995 (including $675 destination). For young families who need more seating, the Express package on the entry-level Journey model includes 5+2 Flexible Seating, providing a third row that allows owners to comfortably seat seven passengers. MSRP for the Dodge Journey with the Express package is $21,995 (including $675 destination).

The Hero package adds the 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 35 percent more power and 40 percent more torque. MSRP for the Journey with the Hero package is $22,995 (including $675 destination). The Hero package also features an available electronically controlled all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine with dual exhausts and six-speed Auto Stick transmission, as well as 19-inch aluminum wheels, are all standard. MSRP for the Journey with the Hero package and AWD is $23,995 (including $675 destination).

Aiming to attract singles and young families looking for capability, the new Journey Heat model includes Uconnect Phone, iPod Control, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, remote start, Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), HomeLink universal transceiver, tonneau cover and six premium speakers with subwoofer. In addition to its 3.5-liter V-6 engine with six-speed Auto Stick transmission, the Journey Heat features five-passenger seating, a tri-folding cargo-load floor with additional storage space beneath, 19-inch aluminum wheels and large chromed-tip dual exhausts. MSRP for the Journey Heat is $24,995 (including $675 destination).

The Journey Crew version then adds more standard features to the Journey Heat model, including the 5+2 Flexible Seating Group for seven-passenger seating, automatic climate control, premium gauge cluster, 9-inch rear DVD entertainment system, chromed interior accents, chromed roof rack, chromed door handles, 19-inch painted machined wheels and body-color side sills. MSRP for the Journey Crew is $25,995 (including $675 destination). Finally the Journey Uptown takes the minivan's range up a notch with leather-trimmed seven-passenger seating, power sun roof, Media Center 730N navigation system with 30-gigabyte hard drive and real-time traffic monitoring, Parkview rear back-up camera, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 19-inch chromed wheels, and chromed body-side molding. MSRP for the Journey Uptown is $29,995 (including $675 destination).

The Nitro lineup has also been revised and renamed for 2010, and will be on show in Detroit this month, offering new exterior and interior styling detailing and new standard features and safety equipment. These new models (Heat, Detonator and Shock) provide Nitro customers with more standard content, including a standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine, 20-inch aluminum wheels, eight premium speakers with a 368-watt amplifier and 9-inch subwoofer, deep-tinted glass, Uconnect Phone, iPod Control, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, speed control and security alarm. In addition to the visuals gained from its 20-inch painted Mopar aluminum wheels and body-color grille with bright billets, the Nitro Heat has 23 percent more horsepower and 12 percent more torque than the previous entry-level model. With its aluminum 4.0-liter overhead cam V-6 engine, the Nitro Heat, and the entire Nitro lineup, delivers 260 horsepower (194 kW) and 265 lb.-ft. (359 Nm) of torque with a five-speed automatic transmission. MSRP for the 2010 Dodge Nitro Heat is $23,995 (including $745 destination). Nitro Detonator offers new exterior design cues, as well as standard interior and safety features that were previously optional on the former SXT model. The new Nitro Detonator model features 20-inch Mopar polished/painted aluminum wheels, hood decal, eight speakers plus subwoofer, remote start, ParkSense rear-park assist and color-keyed premium cloth interior that matches the exterior paint color. MSRP for the Nitro Detonator is $25,995 (including $745 destination). The Nitro Shock adds heated leather seats and a sun roof to the Nitro Detonator model. MSRP for the Nitro Shock is $26,995 (including $745 destination).

Jeep

The Jeep brand will also roll out some new trim upgrades and special editions at the Detroit Motor Show. The Liberty Renegade has a new more-rugged appearance while the Wrangler lineup is expanded with two limited-edition models – Wrangler Islander and Wrangler Mountain. “While clearly appealing to our core customers, these three new Jeep models will attract new customers to the Jeep dealer showroom,” believes Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep brand. “The new Liberty Renegade delivers renowned Jeep capability and an array of standard features in a stunning new rugged, premium design, while both Wrangler models expand the iconic anchor of the Jeep brand with unique, limited-edition versions that consumers have told us they want.” The new Liberty Renegade and Wrangler Islander edition will be available in Jeep showrooms in the first quarter of 2010. The Wrangler Mountain edition will follow in the second quarter.

The “Renegade” name returns to the Jeep lineup for 2010; it was first used in 1964 on the inside door opening of the Jeep Wagoneer. Positioned between Liberty’s Sport and Limited models, the new Liberty Renegade expands the Jeep Liberty lineup and it is fitted with the brand's Selec-Trac II full-time, shift-on-the-fly, active four-wheel-drive system. It will be sold in a new, Renegade-exclusive Salsa Red Pearl Coat exterior, as well as Natural Green Pearl Coat, Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Stone White Clear Coat. Standard Liberty Renegade exterior features include painted Mineral Gray Keystone 16-inch wheels that wear new, rugged all-terrain P235/70R16 outline white letter (OWL); dark neutral metallic wheel flares, lower side sills, front and rear fascia, body side moldings and rear license plate bar; black headlamp bezel; Argent Silver accent on the lower fascia appliqué and roof rack; Satin Black vinyl hood graphics; deep-tint glass; fog lamps; skid plates and tow hooks. Inside, standard appointments include new cloth seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, instrument panel grab handle and park-brake boot; new driftwood accent bezels; leather-wrapped center console and soft-door armrests; premium Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC); cruise control; security alarm; rear cargo cover and steering-wheel-mounted radio controls.

After more than 20 years another name is dragged out of the cupboard as Jeep leverages special-edition versions, and this time it is the "Islander" theme that returns; it will be available on Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4x4 models. Based on the Wrangler Sport model, the Islander’s "beach theme" hopes to convey open-air fun. The Wrangler Islander is featured in unique Surf Blue Pearl Coat, and is also available in Stone White Clear Coat, Bright Sliver Metallic Clear Coat and Brilliant Black Crystal Clear Coat. Other exterior features include an Islander “Tiki Bob” decal on the hood with latitude and longitude coordinates that represent an actual location relating to the “Islander” theme of the vehicle, blackside steps and popular Moab 17-inch wheels shod with 32-inch tires. Inside, Islander’s seats are Dark Gray with Surf Blue inserts, blue stitching and an embroidered Islander “Tiki Bob” logo adorning the seat back. Blue stitching also has been added to the leather-wrapped steering wheel, with Mopar rubber floor mats completing the beach theme. The Wrangler Islander option package is available at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $1,120.

Finally another limited-edition model rounds out Jeep's offerings for Detroit, with the debut of the Wrangler "Mountain" edition, based on the Wrangler Sport S package, and to be made available on Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4x4 models. Exterior features include a unique “Mountain” decal on the hood with latitude and longitude coordinates that represent an actual location relating to the “Mountain” theme of the vehicle; painted high-gloss Mineral Gray 17-inch Moab wheels, grille and bumper appliqués; tubular side steps; 32-inch tires; black tail lamp guards; and a fuel-filler door from Mopar. Available exterior colors include Rescue Green Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat. Interior features include an embossed seat insert with embroidered “Mountain logo,” and anodized graphite heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) rings. The Wrangler Mountain option package will be available at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $1,820.