The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is finally here

Today at the Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler has official taken the covers off the new Chrysler 200 sedan. It's a complete redesign, not a facelift -- and it's here not a moment too soon.

The first generation of the Sebring-derived 200 may have had some impressive ad campaigns to stoke its sales, but at the end of the day the car was never really a hot seller. With today's debut of the 2015 model, Chrysler hopes to turn things around for the 300's smaller sibling. As we've now seen, the new 200 is about as different from the old model as you can get. To start with, its based on an Alfa Romeo platform (though it has a couple of Chrysler's own engines to choose from). And, of course, it looks much fresher on the outside than the outgoing model.

The new 200 shares its architecture with the Dodge Dart and the Jeep Cherokee, though its wheelbase stays about the same compared to the previous car. So the 200 will maintain about the same proportions on the outside, even though the new car is just a bit longer and wider -- within an inch or so of the old model.

The exterior design is nothing like that of the old model, however. It's sleeker, more refined and more slippery, with an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.27. Chrome is used more sparingly on the exterior, and the overall look of the car seems to benefit from it. The interior is all new as well, with a flying buttress console that is reminiscent of Volvo's sedans. The console itself is shaped as an incline, and flows from the armrest to the dash. It is obvious that Chrysler spent a lot of time getting the interior just right; they've even added a Detroit skyline motif to the floormats.

Chrysler
The wheelbase stays about the same, though the car will be just slightly longer and wider.

The 200 will be available in a choice of four trim levels: the base LX, the slightly fancier Limited, the sport-oriented 200S, and the top-of-the-line 200C.

Engines will include a 2.4-liter MultiAir 2 Tiger Shark inline-four powerplant producing 184 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 good for 295 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.

The newest detail on the inside is the gear lever, or lack thereof. The Chrysler 200 boasts an all-new nine-speed transmission, and it's controlled via a chrome shift knob on the center console -- something akin to Mercedes-Benz COMAND knob or BMW's iDrive controller. While the new shift knob itself is a novelty item of sorts, what it's connected to is really what matters, as the nine-speed transmission will be more fuel efficient -- reportedly achieving 35 mpg on the highway. In addition to that, the 200 will also be available with a new all-wheel-drive system featuring an automatic disconnecting rear axle. This is also designed to improve fuel economy when all-wheel drive is not needed, and is similar to the system used in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The full fuel economy figures haven't been released yet, but so far you can expect to see at least a 13 percent improvement for the fuel economy in the Pentastar V6 model and a 6 percent improvement for the four-cylinder.

The suspension features a MacPherson strut setup in the front and a multi-link independent suspension in the rear, both of which should make for a far more entertaining ride than in the outgoing car. The braking system features single-piston calipers on all four corners, with 12-inch front rotors on the four-cylinder models and 13-inch rotors on the V6 models.

Chrysler
The interior is all new, and features a flying-buttress console.

As for pricing, expect the base LX model to start at $22,695, which means a four-speaker stereo system, 17-inch wheels and a basic urethane steering wheel with audio control buttons. The 200 Limited starts at $24,250; this gets you a five-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth along with a six-speaker stereo system and one-touch front windows.

The next trim level up from that is the 200S, and this is sporty model which will have black cloth seats with blue leather inserts, a power drivers seat and a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters. The 200S will also have a slightly firmer suspension setup, and will feature 18-inch wheels. Buyers will can opt for a panoramic sunroof, HID headlights and optional 19-inch wheels. The Premium Lighting Group will include HID headlights with LED running lights and LED fog lights. The Pentastar V6 is optional, as is all-wheel drive. The 200S starts at $25,490.

The top of the line model is the 200C. Heated leather seats are standard, along with a power seat for the front passenger. A 7-inch display for the instrument cluster also comes with the 200C, along with a rear-view camera, remote start, dual-zone climate control and 17-inch wheels. Options include the Pentastar V6, all-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof. The 200C starts at $26,990.

The North American International Auto Show, known to most as the Detroit auto show, continues to serve as a barometer for the entire industry. This year, we'll expect to see the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the 2015 Ford Mustang and the BMW M3 and M4. The 2014 Detroit auto show is held at Cobo Hall in Detroit, MI and is open to the public from January 18-26.

By Jay Ramey