SRT Viper gets refresh in 2015, product plan shows

Chrysler Group will bolster the Fiat brand but has dropped plans to add Fiat-derived small cars for Chrysler and Dodge this year, according to a new long-range product plan revealed Wednesday.

The new plan updates Chrysler's five-year North American product outlook that it presented in November 2009. The update extends the outlook into 2016. According to the plan, the SRT Viper gets a refresh in 2015.

The revised strategy contains changes for each brand Chrysler sells in North America. It shows the addition of seven new unannounced vehicles for the Fiat brand in 2015 and 2016, as well as a single Alfa Romeo, believed to be the 4C sports coupe, arriving this year. There are five additional unidentified new Alfas set to arrive in 2015 and 2016, the plan indicates.

Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne was set to discuss the plan in a conference call with analysts Wednesday morning.

The product plan changes for Chrysler Group's other brands are:

Chrysler: Three Chrysler vehicles that were to be built by Fiat in 2012 and 2013 have been dropped from the previously released plan. One existing Chrysler vehicle--likely the 200 sedan--will be refreshed in 2014. Three new vehicles are to arrive for the brand in 2015.

Jeep: The addition of a small Jeep built by Fiat has been delayed one year until 2014. Two new Jeep products will be introduced in 2015, including one vehicle--likely the previously discussed 7-passenger Grand Wagoneer--which is delayed two years. The brand will refresh two of its products in 2016.

Ram: A Fiat-built Ram--likely a rebadged Fiat Doblo small commercial van--has been delayed two years from the previous product plan and will appear in 2014. Two new Rams are now scheduled to appear in 2016.

Dodge: While two previous Fiat-produced Dodge vehicles have been dropped, three existing vehicles in the brand will receive previously unscheduled refreshes--one this year and two in 2014. Another existing unidentified vehicle will get a new platform in 2015, and the brand will add another vehicle to its lineup in 2016.

SRT: Chrysler Group's performance brand won't get another new vehicle in its lineup until 2016 but will get new refreshes of three existing vehicles in 2014. The Viper, released last year, will next be refreshed in 2015.

A look at Chrysler Group's future product plans

By Larry P. Vellequette- Automotive News