Selling the qualities and features of the new model was rather easy for three Chrysler execs – Rick Denau and John Nulty from Detroit and Wendy Orthman from Chicago – at a gathering Wednesday evening of 20 invited automotive journalists at the old castle-like Highlands Ranch Mansion.

The praise being peddled was for the 2015 Chrysler 200; elsewhere, say Atlanta, Phoenix or Seattle, it might have received a few “ho-hum, another Chrysler midsizer” reactions.

It showed up here, though, a state as rugged as the look of the big mansion, with new exterior, an interior approaching the luxuriousness of the 300, a 9-speed automatic transmission and, prepared specially for our Rockies and our snow – all-wheel drive.

The AWD system is available not only with the V-6 version, also the cheaper 4-cylinder 200; same with the new 9-speed automatic, it is teamed with both the 4-cylinder and the V-6.

Provided to me for driving to the event and the return home was a granite-hued four-door, which also accommodated Stu Wright of Greeley as my copilot. Maybe a bit light on low-end acceleration, the 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine, with the help of the 9-speed, was a smooth performer at midrange.

A rotary-dial shifter sits in the center console within easy reach of the driver; it’s similar to the type introduced by Jaguar several years ago, though the Chrysler dial doesn’t recess flush into the console when the car is turned off, as does the Jag.

Paddle shifters offer all sorts of quick-gear capabilities with the nine speeds; in addition, a Sport mode button will turn the 200 into a rear-axle-favored setup, as up to 60 percent of torque is directed to the rear. The Sport mode also increases throttle response, quickens shifts and lessens the normal traction control. In regular mode, however, the all-wheel-drive system will actually disconnect the rear axle when torque is not needed, a fuel-saving move.

Highlighting the interior are well-bolstered cloth-and-leather seats and an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with high-end audio and navigation, though I found the nav less than specific on a couple of occasions while heading into the southeast metro area Thursday morning. The new 200 sedan offers storage beneath the console, similar to the style adopted by Volvo.

Two other nice interior touches are blue backlighting for the instrument panel gauges and info/entertainment center and the Detroit skyline embossed on the mat at the bottom of the storage area. A second cavernous storage compartment is revealed beneath sliding cupholders in the center console.

Catching my attention in late afternoon, as we stood around the 200s outside the mansion, was Denau’s mention of the fact that sticker price on one of the Chryslers was $3,000 below that of a comparably equipped Ford Fusion AWD. Wait till the Ford boys hear that. The Fusion with available AWD and the Subaru Legacy, for which every one is built that way, are prime competitors of the new 200.

With AWD standard for the 200S model, options pushed the sticker price to $34,065 from a base of $28,695. Among amenities are heated steering wheel, heated front seats, backup camera, blind-spot and cross-path detection, 19-inch black aluminum wheels and remote start.

Here are the ’15 Chrysler 200’s specifications:

Wheelbase 108 inches; Length 192.3 inches; Width 73.6 inches; Height 54.9 inches; Curb Weight 3,475 pounds; Track 62.1 inches front, rear; Ground Clearance 5.8 inches; Turn Circle 39.2 feet; Engine 3.6-liter V-6; Horsepower/Torque 288/262; Transmission 9-speed automatic; Fuel mileage estimated 18/29, average 27.1; Fuel Tank 15.9 gallons; Wheels 19-inch; Cargo Volume 16 cubic feet; Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/100,000 powertrain; Competitors Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen CC, Toyota Camry; Assembly Plant Sterling Heights, Mich.; Parts Content U.S./Canada 73%; Base Price of Lowest Model $21,700; Base Price of Review Model $28,695; Sticker Price $34,065.

The 25^th anniversary edition of the Mazda Miata, only 100 in number, will arrive in early September, About the same time, Mazda plans to begin providing quick glances to a totally redesigned 2016 Miata. In the meantime, amid the confusing release of those next two models, the ’14 version recently came my way.

What’d you think of it, someone asked recently after my farewell column in the Post. I had featured a photo of the 2014 MX-5 Miata convertible, though said little about it, as I mainly reminisced in the farewell.

The two-seater Miata, jet black in exterior finish, is a Grand Touring model with a power retractable top, and here’s what I thought about it: Driving anywhere in Colorado on a summer night is a great time for testing it. Loosen the center latch at the windshield header, push a button and the top drops into the trunk in barely more than 12 seconds. The cool breeze and open look are invigorating.

The rear-wheel-drive Miata, on a wheelbase of only 91.7 inches, is a good handler with independent double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension. Its turn circle is only 30.8 feet. It is nimble, accelerates fairly quickly with lots of noise from its 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.

Unlike most competitors, which use a paddle shifter to the left of the steering wheel to downshift and one on the right to upshift, the Miata has an odd-looking paddles and thumb presses system. Pull the paddle on either side to upshift and thumb-press either side to downshift. It’s easy enough to use, after a few blocks of low-speed stop-and-go situations.

Inside, the finish is in spicy mocha brown. The seats are positioned very low; of course they are, for, even with the top in place the Miata measures only 49 inches in overall height. They’re low and narrow and bolstered, and most accommodating to a driver of modest stature.

About the time this driver began to tire, the car’s tank did, too. It is only 12.7 gallons in capacity and, with the Miata’s EPA estimate of 21/28, this will extend only 250 to 325 miles between refreshing fuel stops.

The addition of a $1,300 premium package of antitheft alarm, keyless entry, Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio and xenon headlights pushed sticker price for the Miata to $32,735. Among standard equipment are Bose audio with seven speakers, heated leather-trimmed seats, leather shift knob, automatic air conditioning, dual front and side airbags and trip computer.

Here are the ’14 Miata’s specifications:

Wheelbase 91.7 inches; Length 157.3 inches; Width 67.3 inches; Height 49 inches; Curb Weight 2,593 pounds; Track 58.7 inches front, 58.9 rear; Ground Clearance 4.6 inches; Turn Circle 30.8 feet; Engine 2.0-liter 4-cylinder; Horsepower/Torque 158/140; Transmission 6-speed automatic; Fuel mileage estimated 21/28, average 25.7; Fuel tank 12.7 gallons; Wheels 17-inch; Cargo Volume 5.3 cubic feet; Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain; Competitors Volkswagen Beetle, Mini Cooper, BMW Z4, Nissan 370Z; Assembly Plant Hiroshima, Japan; Parts Content Japan 95%; Base Price of Lowest Model $23,720; Base Price of Review Model $30,550; Sticker Price $32,735.

The MX-5 Miata made its global debut on Feb. 9, 1989, at the Chicago Auto Show. More than 900,000 have been sold around the world since.