New Chrysler 200c is a Car for Your Future

Some people may fall in love with her because of her looks. But it's her "brain" that will get people talking.

The Chrysler 200c comes in a sleek package with a swept-back front end that was created with aerodynamics in mind to help it fly down the road. Even the headlights and taillights sit at the far corners of the sedan so the front and rear overhangs practically disappear to the eye in daylight, causing the car to look even more striking.

What will have people getting more excited becomes apparent when the doors are opened. The 200c features the next generation of what Chrysler calls its uConnect system. This high-tech feature serves as the command center that can be tailored to the driver's needs and wants. The console actually is a giant touch screen that projects images and is interactive with the driver. This includes making infotainment choices along with creating custom images, lighting and volume.

The front passenger also has the chance to stay busy on any drive. The 200c's glove box holds a tablet PC with its own touch screen that allows the passenger to search the Internet and use the onboard media library. The PC also can be shared with people sitting in the rear seats.

In addition, the front passenger of the Chrysler 200c can serve as co-pilot, sending directions to the driver's display. The real navigator, however, is a system that can connect to cameras stationed along city streets so the driver can see what's ahead in traffic. The car can even be programmed to limit speed and send out warnings if careless drivers are behind the wheel - features that should please parents whose children borrow the car.

Smart phone users also can enjoy additional features such as remotely starting the car and setting the temperature in the passenger compartment. If the 200c is stolen, the phone can be used to track it down through satellite imaging and make the car stop functioning on command.

The new Chrysler is also designed for comfort. The driver and front passenger sit in a space that appears to be roomier 60/60 seating space instead of the normal 50/50. Each of the four bucket seats has a temperature control to make it warmer or cooler.

When Chrysler unveiled the 200c at winter auto shows, the car included ENVI's range-extended, electric vehicle drive system comprised of lithium-ion batteries, a small gasoline engine and an electric generator. The sedan can travel up to 40 miles just on electric power and up to 400 miles when the entire system is put to work. With 268 horsepower at its disposal, it takes 7 seconds to hit 60 mph and has a maximum speed of about 120 mph.

The whole package is built on a shorter model of the full-size, rear-drive chassis that already has been featured in the popular Chrysler 300c. Other than that tie to the past, the 200c is designed to take the driver and passengers into the future.