Even though the 2011 Chrysler 200 is set to debut in the U.S. at the end of January, many facts on the mid-size sedan remain unclear. The company hasn’t officially (…) released interior pictures yet, only a video, and mpg figures were also unknown. However, as some isolated reports about EPA ratings hit the internet today, we decided to investigate. We found out that Chrysler’s sedan won’t establish any records in the segment and that, ironically, the automaker can’t decide which is the correct EPA estimated mpg. According to one page on Chrysler.com, the 200 sedan equipped with the 173 hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine returns 21/30 mpg city/highway, with both the 4-speed and 6-speed automatic transmissions. This is kind of strange to begin with, as you’d expect the more modern gearbox to have better numbers for the sake of marketing, if nothing else.
The yet-to-be-revealed 200 Convertible, fitted with the same four-pot and six-speed ‘box, is rated at an identical 21/30 mpg, which is hard to believe, as open top cars need extra structural strengthening, increasing weight and lowering fuel efficiency.
And as if that wasn't enough, in the “Compare Vehicle and Model Specifications” section, the 200 sedan with the 2.4-liter engine is said to return 20/31 mpg.
Either way, the 2.4L DOHC 16V Dual VVT finishes last when compared to the Toyota Camry (22/32 mpg), Honda Accord (23/33 mpg) and Hyundai Sonata (22/35 mpg).
With the 283 hp 3.6-liter V6 under the bonnet, the situation is a bit better, as the 19/29 mpg rating helps the Chrysler 200 and 200 Convertible rank above the Ford Fusion (18/27 mpg) and Chevrolet Malibu (17/26 mpg), but below the Toyota Camry (20/29 mpg).
By Csaba Daradics
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