2015 Chrysler 200 2.4L Returns 35 MPG Highway

From a technological-feature perspective, theall-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is important for two main reasons: it's the world’s first mid-size sedan fitted as standard with a 9-speed automatic transmission and the first 200 to be available with all-wheel drive. The latter features an automatic fully disconnecting rear axle, which improves fuel economy by reducing parasitic loss when all-wheel drive is not needed.

Thanks in part to the 9-speed auto, the baseChrysler 200 fitted with the 184hp 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder gasoline engine is expected to return 35 mpg on the highway (6.7 l/100 km). Chrysler says the new standard Tigershark engine delivers fuel economy improvements of 13 percent, horsepower improvements of 6 percent and torque improvements of 10 percent compared with the outgoing four-cylinder engine. The sedan is also available with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 295hp.

Another important addition to the 200 is the rotary e-shift dial that replaces the traditional console shifter, with Chrysler saying it enables intuitive operation with a direct and confident feel. Complemented by available paddle shifters, the new design also yields space for more functional and usable storage in the center console.

The 2015 Chrysler 200 is available in four different models in the United States: LX, Limited, 200S and the premium 200C. The 200S model brings a darker, more sinister look thanks to gloss black trim and accent pieces including the area surrounding the side windows. 200S models also feature integrated dual exhausts and are available with 19-inch Hyper Black aluminum wheels.

The sedan will arrive in dealerships in the second quarter of 2014 priced from $21,700 plus $995 destination for the base LX model.

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BMW X4 vs Porsche Macan

While not exactly identical in terms of pricing and engine options/performance, the Porsche Macancan be compared to the new BMW X4 without having to move the goal posts at all.

You can now order either model for around $50,000 with a three-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engine, a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of just over five seconds and the promise of a really sporty ride, despite the obvious drawbacks being tall has on it.

The $49,900 (excluding delivery) Macan S with a 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 producing 335hp (340PS) for a 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in 5.2 seconds (5.0 sec with Sport Chrono pack), can steer some customers away from buying $48,925 (delivery included) BMW's X4 x35i that has a 3.0-liter turbo six churning out 300hp for a 0-60mph in 5.2 sec, and vice-versa.

The BMW sits at a disadvantage in this comparison, being the newer of the two models, so there are no reviews of it to speak of, whereas the Porsche has already been tested and is looking very impressive. The X4 needs to drive better than the reportedly so-so X3 it’s based on, in order to still call itself sporty in the company of the Macan.

Next up is the problem of interior space. Both have plenty of it for the first row of seats, but the number/amount of rear passengers/cargo you’ll be able to carry will likely differ.

If it’s anything like what BMW did when turning the X5 into the X6, then the X4 will probably feel more cramped in the back in terms of headroom and not have that much space for luggage, whereas the Macan seems more spacious both in the back and in the boot. That’s courtesy of its more wagon-esque profile that makes it more understated and appealing than the very noticeable side profile of the pigmy-hunchback Bimmer, at least to me…

With the main points having been considered, which of the two would you have as a daily driver? Vote and comment below.

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What Do You Think About the Gumpert Apollo S Iron Car Edition's Chrome Wrap?

At this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show, troubled German sports car builder Gumpert told the world that it's still alive and kicking after flirting with Miss Bankruptcy one time too often. They also showed a new creation, the Explosion Coupe, and brought along a specially made Apollo S nicknamed Iron Car after the fictional character Iron Man because of, you know, its colors.

It would have made more sense if they used a gold tone instead of silver, but anyway, the Apollo S on display was prepared by 2M DESIGNS in Augsburg, Germany, which tells us that the red- and silver-chrome wraps took 80 hours of "pasting" and cost €6,800 (about US$9,400) with tax/VAT included.

The rims were coated in black "liquid rubber", which we assume means plastic paint or something similar, at a cost of €250 (around US$350), while other additions include the carbon film trims on the mirrors, the new shatterproof Lexani glass cover for the engine and the tinted lights, for which no price was announced.

This particular version of the Apollo has a 4.2-liter twin-turbo'd V8 engine sourced from Audi that delivers 780PS (769hp) offering the car a top speed of 360km/h (224mph).

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