As the official spokesperson for Fiat 500 Abarth, it’s Catrinel duty to draw attention to the fine curves of 500′s rear, the slender grace of Italian-designed suspension, and the softness of its interior. Wait, we are talking about an automobile, right?

Fiat recently introduced their Fiat 500 Abarth Venom, which adds high performance parts from Magneti Marelli. Venom also features a carbon fiber hood and side mirrors. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged engine can produce upwards of 160-horsepower, not bad for this tiny 2-door.

Catrinel was born in Romanian in 1985. This 26-year-old supermodel lives in Milan, and has been featured as star of the 2006 South African Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, along with multiple pictorials in FHM and Maxim.

She’s done well in her private life as well – Catrinel is married to Italian ex-footballer player Massimo Brambati. Her sister Lorena is a high jumper competing in US events.

In case your memory still needs jogging, here’s the Super Bowl ad, featuring Catrinel Menghia and the all new Fiat 500 Abarth:

The 2012 Chrysler 200 is, for the sake of argument, the auto maker’s modern answer to Sebring (and Dodge Stratus, of course). One of the first new models produced post-FIAT takeover, the 2011 200 came under much scrutiny – mostly focused on performance and interior materials. The car was viewed as a cheap, plastic economy class vehicle. Even Eminem promoting 200 during last year’s Super Bowl couldn’t help this Imported From Detroit ride.

When it came time for 2012′s upgrade, The Italian-American auto maker went all out.

With a starting price of $18,995, this Front Wheel Drive sedan features improved suspension, tackling bumpy city streets, and taking highway turns with more ease than the previous year’s model. Torque is still a bit rough on board 200, with this Chrysler model displaying similar harsh transmission shifts (in the automatic) that have plagued the company for decades. Honestly, I owned an ’87 K-Car with similar problems.

Still, 200′s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produces a fuel efficient 173-HP and 166 lb-ft of torque. EPA estimates put 200 near 21 city/30 hwy MPG. You can opt for an upgraded 3.6-liter V6, for 283-HP and 260 lb-ft of torque.

Inside the vehicle is where Chrysler focused the bulk of 200′s improvements. Leather seating and expert cross-stitching make 200 one of the most comfortable vehicles in this class, by a long shot.

A leather wrapped steering wheel comes with optional radio and vehicle controls, while a bright instrument panel sits deep in a solid, quiet dash. Actually, the dash is quite nice and strong – no cheap, thin plastics found here. Chrome accents give way to the large touch screen infotainment system. You’ll never hate sitting inside a 2012 200.

If Chrysler stays on this path, the 200 will undoubtedly become a classic. We’re looking forward to even more improvements from upcoming models.

We at Chryslerpedia love it, and felt the commercial brought a chilling wake up call to those who feel we are at the end of Good Times in America.

Chrysler released a full transcript of the ad, and you can view the commercial via our Super Bowl post.

It’s halftime. Both teams are in their locker room discussing what they can do to win this game in the second half.

This country can’t be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is going to hear the roar of our engines. Yeah, it’s halftime America. And, our second half is about to begin.

Source: Chrysler Media

This morning, Clint and Chrysler were still the main subject of Super Bowl Commercial talk. Not because of how intense the spot was, because of YouTube taking it down for a “copyright claim by NFL Properties LLC.”

The reasoning behind this issue was (and still is) unclear. There’s no football being played during the 2 minute spot. You can’t even actually see the field when Clint starts talking. Chrysler was unable to comment on the situation, because they had no idea why it happened, and are in the middle of figuring things out.

Clint Eastwood’s Halftime in America

Luckily, in this time of internet piracy and social media sharing, we were able to find someone else who posted it (see above). Also, as of 11:18 AM, the video is back up. Chrysler still has no answer as to why it was pulled originally.

Source: Jalopnik

Chrysler surprised fans at the 2012 North American International Auto Show with their 700C Minivan Concept.

It’s supposed to be the minivan of the future, so does this mean Town & Country will look like 700C in years to come? “The concept doesn’t suggest the styling direction for the redesigned Town & Country,” says one member of Chrysler’s team.

700C styling execution is one of many the automaker has created over several months. There is currently no intention to produce the concept at this time, but it still looks pretty.

Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne made it clear, the next generation Town & Country “will bare no resemblance to the current generation of minivans.” He wants exciting, head-turning styling for the next van.

Source: Auto News

The Jefferson North Assembly Plant is already one of the auto makers’ busiest lines, with two shifts going at full capacity. In 2012, 1100 jobs will be created as part of an expansion, in order to tackle high demand for Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

These 1100 new workers join 150 jobs created by Chrysler’s Conner Avenue Plant.

“Our future, like the history of our brands, is interwoven with the City of Detroit,” said Chrysler Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne.

“Detroit long has been home to renowned innovators and craftsmen. So it is in the Motor City, home of our industrial heritage and a resilient people, that we are entrusting the manufacture not only of the ultimate American sports car, the SRT Viper, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee – the most awarded SUV ever – but also a diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee for North American markets.”

Source: Torque News

Keeping in line with their “Imported from Detroit” slogan, Chrysler will produce the next Viper in The Motor City. The Conner Assembly Plant in Detroit will reopen to produce 2013′s SRT Viper, creating nearly 150 jobs. Production begins next year, with Vipers coming off the line by late 2012.

“The next generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup in late 2012 as a 2013 model,” said Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC.

Prior to its reopening, the Conner facility will transform by implementing a system called World Class Manufacturing (WCM) – which focuses on reducing waste, while making improvements throughout the construction process that increase quality and productivity.

The Conner facility idled in July 2010, when production of the original Viper ended.

Source: Chrysler PR

Chrysler’s parent company bet big on their little automobile, last seen on US-soil in 1984. After sluggish sales, a huge decline of interest online (not to mention at dealer lots), and poor crash test ratings, Fiat may become Chrysler’s greatest disappointment.

A recent blow came from NHTSA Crash Test Results. Fiat 500 scored a three-star crash test rating, considered very poor in today’s world of high tech safety and futuristic metals:

Fiat 500 returned stateside with an uproar – JLo danced and sang around NYC in her drop-top variant, and newly erected Fiat dealerships reported high demand for the three door compact.

Unfortunately for Fiat, Chrysler is witnessing three consecutive months of declining sales figures for the 500.

The Italian auto maker’s original goal was set for 50,000 vehicle sold each year. However, less than 16,000 have sold in seven months. 29 of Fiat’s 130 dealers in the US “didn’t sell a single Fiat last month,” according to USA Today. The company has a six-month supply backed up, and is countering with $500 rebates on new vehicles.

For the sake of Chrysler’s renewal, Fiat’s survival, and the ability to market fuel efficient cars in North America, 2012 better improve the auto maker’s performance.

A recent Junk Yard find by The Truth About Cars unveiled an interesting fact many of those who “Buy American” were probably unaware (or in extreme denial) of.

The [Plymouth] Sapporo was a Mitsubishi Galant Lambda; its Dodge sibling was badged as a Challenger:

That’s right kiddos! Many Plymouth and Chrysler vehicles from the 1970s and 80s were made by Mitsubishi! (Insert Darth Vader NNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!! here)

It’s actually not all that bad. A complete Plymouth vehicle (case in point – the aforementioned Reliant K) for 1986-87 was constructed partially in North America. When I was younger, my local family mechanic dropped a bit of import knowledge:

“Eric, your Reliant K engine is actually a Mitsubishi motor. Chrysler has most of their engines built by the Japanese.”

I’m paraphrasing, and I also get the feeling he was telling me this in case I wondered why the price of engine repair was higher than on my father’s Chevy. It leaves you wondering – how much of that “American made” car is really built in The United States.

Photo – Source: TTAC

Being an American auto worker is a rare career path in today’s world. In Detroit, it can be even harder. Chrysler has spent decades utilizing Detroit’s two-tiered payment system. New employees make much less ($14 – $16/nr) than their counterparts who have been employed longer. With UAW arguments and poor economic growth year-to-year, there’s little to no chance of a wage increase.

Chrysler Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is looking to change that.

Marchionne says he’d rather “have all his workers on the same pay scale,” hinting at changes when the maker’s contract expires in 2015. It has plenty in the auto industry curious about what the exec has in store.

“This economic disparity between people on the (production) line is not something that can go on indefinitely,” Marchionne told reporters during a recent conference call.

The UAW wants to eliminate the two-tier structure, which has divided union members and almost caused the rejection of this year’s contracts with Chrysler, as well as the other two American car companies.

Source: MSNBC