One of the few relative successes that Chrysler has had in the past decade has been the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. For a time, the big rear wheel drive sedans were some of the hottest cars on the market. What they were not was particularly fuel efficient. Chrysler intends to improve on that with the redesigned 2011 model. Thanks to the new Phoenix V6 engine family, Frank Klegon, VP of product development expects the new versions to be "CAFE-positive" implying that the cars will exceed the new standards and pull up Chrysler's fleet average. At this point we're not sure if that means only that they will exceed the initial new CAFE levels that take effect in 2010 or the 2015 standard. Another factor expected to help the mileage of the new sedans will be improved aerodynamics. The design department came under Klegon's area of responsibility last year and drag reductions should significantly reshape the 300 and Charger.
