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Chrysler to Discontinue 300 Sedan, Will be Replaced by Portal Electric Minivan

In production since 2005, the 300 is based on Mercedes-Benz underpinnings from eons ago. But come 2020, Chrysler will discontinue the full-size sedan according to Automotive News. That might not come as a surprise considering how bad the 300 is selling nowadays, but what’s intriguing is that Chrysler will put the Portal concept into production.
Chrysler Portal concept 15 photos
Photo: Chrysler
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“The fully electric minivan will go into production in 2020,” according to Automotive News, and based on the concept presented at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, it will look different from the Pacifica. Not as futuristic as the concept, but different nonetheless.

If this proves to be the case with the series-production model, don’t expect autonomous driving capability and a retractable steering wheel. The reconfigurable interior with sliding doors, on the other hand, is likely to happen.

Even if the 300 goes away, Dodge is certain to refresh the Charger from the ground up in the earliest part of the next decade. A previous report on the matter suggests that Fiat Chrysler will upgrade the Maserati platform (Ghibli, Levante, Quattroporte) for this application. This change could also translate to forced induction with Italian seasoning, coming courtesy of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8.

Turning our attention back to the Portal, the brother of the Pacifica is ready to roll out with Level 3 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Level 4 and Level 5 upgrades are in the pipeline for later on, and in this regard, the Portal could become a hit with Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies.

Chrysler says the Portal concept can travel more than 250 miles between charges. DC Fast Charge will be offered as an optional extra, adding 150 miles worth of range in 20 minutes of charging.

The thing is, wouldn’t it be better for the American automaker to expand the lineup with a crossover or sport utility vehicle? Minivans aren’t the go-to vehicle of modern car buyers, a trend that could backfire if Chrysler refuses to adapt its product plan and business strategy.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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