Right-hook Hellcat decision closer

The prospects for right-hand drive versions of a wider range of Fiat Chrysler's V8 sports models coming to Australia has moved a significant step closer to a green or red light.

One of FCA's top global product planning bosses, Steve Bartoli, made his first trip to Australia last week – and RHD availability for models such as the supercharged 527kW Charger and Challenger Hellcats as well as the RAM 1500 pick-up was one of the biggest issues he was examining.

Bartoli has commissioned studies from the local FCA Australia organisation to establish whether a business case can be generated to expand the V8 sports line-up beyond the 300C SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

He also has an engineering study underway into the feasibility of converting the RAM pick-up to right-hand drive.

Bartoli also confirmed more performance upgrades to the Chrysler 300C SRT8 – which is now only manufactured for Australia after being culled from the North American line-up – are coming soon.

Bartoli is the Asia-Pacific product planning chief for all FCA brands – Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional and RAM – as well as international product planning boss for the Chrysler group brands.

Bartoli told motoring.com.au he was well aware of the appetite for V8 performance cars in Australia.

"I know it is here," he said. "I can see it. It is like a pebble in my shoe. How do I deal with it? How do I create something that will help their business [FCA Australia] grow and help satisfy tastes in the marketplace?

"Quite honestly I don't have that figured out yet, but I am going to figure that out."

Bartoli said gaining the green light for right-hand drive manufacture ex-factory of the RAM 1500 – which FCA Australia's new managing director Pat Dougherty sees as a viable competitor in the important metric one-tonne market against the likes of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger – would be a first.

"We have never really done a right-hand drive pick-up truck, so we have the [engineering] guys looking at it," Bartoli said. "Now we are getting back in to the steering gear and brake boosters and all that sort of stuff and I don't know if it makes sense.

"But from a market perspective you look at the 200,000-plus trucks that are sold here annually and you say 'there's got to be some gold in those hills'.

 "That's one of the reasons I am here, I want to understand what the upside is for a truck. Can we make a business case for it? I don't know. But it's worth looking at, that's for sure."

While the drive to add right-hand drive performance models and pick-ups to FCA's Australian line-up has been examined previously without success, Dougherty – a Hellcat driver at home in the USA and a pick-up fan – has adopted the case with zeal. Bartoli's first visit to Australia was a direct result of his campaigning.

With Holden and Ford's domestic V8 production expiring no later than the end of 2017, Dougherty can see an opportunity for FCA against the imported Mustang (Ford) and TBA V8 (Holden) that will replace Falcon and Commodore respectively.

"Mostly this trip is observation and listening," said Bartoli. "I've given these (FCA Australia) guys some assignments already to give me a better understanding and structure so I can begin to develop business propositions that I can present back to my leadership."

The SRT (Street and Race Technology) line-up in the USA includes both Hellcat and naturally-aspirated Charger and Challenger models, the V10 Viper coupe and Grand Cherokee.

The RAM 1500 offers both petrol and turbo-diesel V6 options, a petrol V8, 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines and the choice of regular, quad and crew cabs. 

Bartoli revealed imminent performance improvements for the 300C SRT8, which is currently powered by a 347kW 6.4-litre V8 and priced at $66,000 in Australia, while discussing the timelines for increased RHD presence for FCA in Australia.

"Whether we want to do a Charger version or a Challenger version that's up to me to work through, but certainly we could make more improvements on the 300c we already have ... we can work that very actively. That is not a long term proposition. Improving that car and making it more competitive is something we can do almost immediately, which we will.

"Then we say 'okay, is there an added extra, an enhancement to that with another car?' That's the bigger question and that's more mid-term. It doesn't have to wait for the next platform because we have that structure already.

"It's: 'can we make a business case for it? Do we think there is enough demand in the market? Do we have that capability to draw that demand from the market to make it worthwhile?'"