Mercedes-Benz SLS Started Out as the Next-Generation Dodge Viper

just something else daimler squandered from chrysler

Thats sad.

From all we have heard the last few years, it seems like MB sucked the life right out of Chrysler.

Let's hope FIAT has a better plan.

I think everyone is misunderstanding this. This is how mergers are supposed to work. Two companies use the same basic foundation to build different models because it drastically reduces R&D costs and works out better for both in the long run. This would have been no different than the new Grand Cherokee using the M-Class platform. Sure the chassis is the same, but all the tuning is different.

The only difference here was that Chrysler had no money to continue with the project and Mercedes did. This is what happens in engineering. I've been on many joint projects where my end was scrapped due to lack of funds. It happens all the time, but most people don't here about it. Daimler seriously messed up Chrysler, but this is one instance where no wrong was committed.

So that's why there's so much room in the engine bay of the SLS (well they did also want the engine as far back as possible)

@mercedesfan, if they were both under the same roof, the only thing that makes one branch lose funding if it isn't supplied. Daimler took billions out of chrysler and put nothing into it.

@mercedesfan
I have to completely disagree with you.

Chrysler got next to nothing from their "partnership" with Daimler. No advanced powertrain/transmission technology (they are STILL using 5-speed autos) no improvement in interior vehicle materials/craftsmanship and no base to build upon for an expaned vehicle line up. The 300 has some roots with the E Class but that was about it. Even the new redesigned Grand Cherokee is based on LAST generation underpinnings. If you want further proof look at the value of Chrysler before and after the raid ("merger"); they were left for dead (no need to even waste time on Cerebus Capital Management).

Fiat has commited to bringing their small, fuel efficent engine expertise to Chrysler and bring new product to the mix. That is how a merger is supposed to work; the best assests of both companies help create a stronger company.

Why the SLS project was brought to production and the Viper wasn't even though the Viper was in development first? Simple . . . Mercedes never made the investment in Chrysler they should have and it's really sad.

Maybe if Daimler had given the Dodge boys all the money that instead went into Merc's fancy exploding door bolt developement, we could have had another Viper.

I am certainly not a Chrysler guy but even I have to admit they got raped in that "merger".

The 1999 Dodge Charger concept was also stolen by Mercedes and transformed into the CLS.

@ half_ton

The 2011 Grand Cherokee isn't built on old hardware. The new jointly-developed platform will be going under the upcoming 2012 ML. In this rare case, Chrysler got to use the goods before Daimler.

mercedesfan: "The only difference here was that Chrysler had no money to continue with the project and Mercedes did."

I agree that there's nothing wrong with utilizing engineering from a merger (takeover).

However... Chrysler had plenty of money when Daimler took them over. Daimler sucked them dry and dumped the carcus.

half_ton: "Chrysler got next to nothing from their "partnership" with Daimler"

They got the 300. They got diesels. Also, there were some pretty nice auto transmissions, but I'm not sure who gets credit for those.

I agree that it was lopsided, but Chrysler got a little.

@brn Chrysler got a "little", but they got BILLIONS taken from them, hardly got what they paid for. Daimler charged Chrysler billions of dollars in "engineering consulting fees", and gave them all their last generation technology in return. The LX class of car was built on previous generation E-class platform, the 5-speed auto was the old AMG design, and where did they get to use any diesels? In Europe? Do they sell billions of dollars of Chrysler product in Europe?

Chrysler didn't get drained with no return whatsoever, but there's no doubt that if the merger had never happened that Chrysler could have spent those billions far better.

@brn
We both mentioned the 300 in our posts so no disagreement there. The transmissions and diesel engines however are a completly different ballgame. What benefit did Chrysler get in this area when most (if not all) of their products are still using 5 speeds? Many manufacturers are using 6 speeds as standard and 7 and 8 speeds will soon become the norm in most luxury segments.

And I'm not 100% sure of this but off the top of my head the previou-gen JGC was the only vehcile Chrysler offered (outside the heavy-duty trucks) that even offered a diesel as an option. Diesels make up too small of a percentage of sales in this country to be significant anyway so yes; Chrysler got next to nothing from Daimler.

@malicious1
I stand corrected and you were also right; the new JGC is ONE example where Chrysler got some new hardware from Daimler. There aren't many other cases where this is true.

I KNEW that damned SLS was a Viper! You can see it in a variety of places... especially the center console.

Chrysler was indeed profitable at the time of the merger. It was Mercedes that was struggling financially, and they sucked up the cash that Chrysler had in the bank. Then they invested little towards new products and tossed Chrysler aside in the end. Right before the merger, Chrysler had the BEST american car designs on the market. The PT Cruiser was my first (and last) Chrysler.

Wow... I feel bad for Chrysler. And I'm kind of annoyed that I didn't see this from the beginning. It all makes sense now.... wow....

I think and believe if Chrysler will might lose to Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Viper, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Durango, Ram pickup, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee , Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wranger and other few RWD next 10 years future. I will see if Fiat boss will more deny new modela with RWD. If I will see Fiat will force Chrysler will would lose HEMI and Damiler platform. I know Chrysler lost to Chrysler Crossfire, Plymouth Powler, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Sprinter.

Wow... poor Chrysler...I really hope they can make a comeback.

And for those who are saying Chrysler got the 300 and all that....those cars were built on old school Mercedes chassis (I believe the 300 Chassis was the same as the W210).....the 95-02 E Class Chassis. The Crossfire as we all know was nothing more than a re-skinned first gen SLK.

Go go Fiat...bring back Chrysler

not only did Diamler rape Chrysler, they raped Americans as well (of our pride). that's just good business, i guess. even so... fu*# you you dirty, thieving Germans!!

Well, I guess Chrysler was not as smart as daimler in the merger.

While Daimler certainly didn't do Chrysler any favors. I'd imagine their design philosophy and the recession had as much to do with killing them as anything else. They just didn't design cars that people wanted. When your minivan is the best thing you've got going, then there's a problem.

Back in 1998, Daimler did not need Chrysler, but Chrysler would most likely have failed without that merger. Hell, call it a take-over, since Chrysler was the weak. Daimler probably give up on Chrysler... gave them the tools to build a sport car, and the Americans built an ugly crap named the Crossfire, which eventually the market proved that it was a failure while the SLK lives on. Daimler helped Chrysler with the 300C and Charger, and the Americans again showed up with sub par products (reliability issues). While this ordeal about Daimler mistreated the Dodge engineers to further produce the next Viper, I have to wonder where Inside Line learned this info. And if history is any good indicator, all Dodge could manage is probably another hot car with crappy old plastic interior Vipers that don't sell.

Anyone who thinks that FIAT will be good for Chrysler is sadly mistaken. People have forgotten what complicated, unreliable rust-buckets FIATs were, which is why they didn't survive the US market. Latest European quality indexes show that FIAT still ranks near the bottom of quality scales, so don't expect an injection of quality into Chrysler products.
The only reason why FIAT is still around is because of GM money. GM entered into a mind-boggling, stupid contract with FIAT a few years ago, where GM would be forced to buy worthless FIAT stock from the FIAT owner family, and when FIAT exercised their sell option, GM ended up paying FIAT billions to get out of the deal.
We may soon have a few tiny and tinny FIATS running around American roads, but it won't be long before people realize that their "exotic" FIAT is still an acronym for "Fix It Again Tony", as it was in the 70's and 80's.