smoother engine cover. All of this peaks at the new nose with its redesigned, more elegant grille.

While the exterior changes are by no means groundbreaking, they do make the 200 a more attractive car. This, in turn, results in a more expensive aura. Chrysler staff have led some of the changes, while others were instigated by Chrysler's new Italian partner.

Fiat looks at the Chrysler brand as a way to fill out the declining Lancia lineup. Blending the styling directions of Chrysler and Lancia completes part of this new picture, but upgrading the interior for European tastes was also necessary.

Here's where the Chrysler 200 shines brightest. Somehow, in the past decade or so, manufacturers around the world forgot the importance of the materials inside a car.

Chrysler improved the feel of all interior components the driver or passengers might touch. You expect the soft leather wrapped around the steering wheel to be soft, but materials used on the dash and the center console are surprisingly expensive feeling. Even the plastic pieces lack the burrs so common just a few years ago.

Large switches fall right at hand for all controls. Most of the switches are easy to adjust with little attention necessary from the driver.

Just below the classic dial clock in the center of the dash is the UConnect system. This unit combines the sound (including a 30-gigabyte hard drive and Boston Acoustic speakers)

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