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controls is a large piece of formed, open
pore wood. While wood in cars is nothing
new or even unique, what is absolutely
diferent about the use of the wood (and
there are also pieces on each of the front
doors, as well) is that it isn't encased in
layers of lacquer and the edges of the
material are visible. No, you're not going
to get splinters, but it is clearly wood.
Busse describes it as "furniture grade."
(As he does the bearings used for the
bin cover/arm rest in the center console,
which moves with a deliberate glide.)
(Another "Imported from Detroit" cue:
there is a center-mounted rotary e-shift
for the nine-speed transmission instead
of the conventional console shifter.
This, Busse says, helped provide room
for storage space where otherwise the
mechanicals of the shifter would be.
This open space can handle things like
smartphones. There is a rubber mat on
the surface. The mat has an embossed
image of the skyline of Detroit. However,
p The Sterling Heights Assembly Plant uses extensive automation to build the 200.
There is fexibility built-in to produce any vehicles that are based on the Compact
U.S. Wide platform.
p Bodies are rotated 180° for robotic underbody sealing.
0614ADP FEATURE Chrysler 200.indd 41 5/21/2014 12:50:38 PM