Why not a 2028 Chrysler Newport sedan.

Until recently, it seemed Stellantis was planning a few all-new models for the Chrysler brand. Among them were one or even two new crossovers/SUVs. Mostly aimed at finally giving the brand some relevance again in the volume segments that actually matter. There was also talk of a revised Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which would likely focus more on tech. And also include pretty radical styling changes influenced by the halcyon concept. With a fully electric new minivan arriving later. A possible sedan (and even a coupe) was also mentioned at one point, though those plans always felt a bit more fragile.

What they really need is something. Anything. And they needed it yesterday. Chrysler has been running on fumes for years, surviving almost entirely on the Pacifica, which, while competent, can’t carry a legacy brand forever. A new Newport sedan based on STLA Medium wouldn’t be such a bad thing. A four-door Chrysler sedan on an existing platform would at least put the brand back in the news cycle. Which is something it desperately lacks right now. Visibility matters, even if volumes are modest.

Chrysler’s first new model is supposed to be a version of the new Jeep Wagoneer S, much like how Dodge is probably still getting the Stealth and a next-generation Durango. The problem is pricing. It might have to be priced even higher than the Jeep, since, well, it’s a Chrysler. That could be a tough sell, especially with Jeep’s recent move upmarket and its increasingly ambitious price tags testing consumer patience.

Chrysler’s CEO has said that all upcoming models will be based on the Halcyon concept design language. That’s a bold statement considering how futuristic and almost abstract that concept is. Translating that look into a real, buildable production vehicle won’t be easy. The first test will be the revised Pacifica.

I think Chrysler could benefit from pulling something out of its past, just like Dodge did with the new Charger. Nostalgia, when done right, still works.

Of course, a new mid sized sedan would be a gamble. But apparently Ford is working on one already, which suggests the segment isn’t entirely dead. A new Chrysler sedan on an STLA platform could round out a reborn lineup nicely, assuming that lineup actually materializes.

Who really knows…