Accelerate Mpls

The Dodge Charger hit the scene back in 2005 and made quite a splash.  That splash was two fold:  firstly the fact that many people were less then thrilled that the Charger name was applied to a four door sedan.  If you remember, the original Dodge Charger was a 2 door.  The second part was the bold and in your face styling, which was fresh and really spoke to many people.  The Charger has now been on the market since 2005 with only a few major changes (depending on how you look at it).  So lets dive in and see how this once-popular muscle car has fared.

The Charger has a bold styling that can be described as chunky by some.  The SRT8 kicks it up a notch, but in a subtle way.  The hood has an integrated scoop that is functional, funneling outside air into the engine bay to keep that large engine nice and cool.  The front end is lower to the ground and slightly more aggressive.  There is a belt line that runs from the top of the headlights down the side into the rear “haunches” that begin at the rear of the back doors.  These haunches go over the rear wheels and into the tail lights.  The tail lights are one piece but they have been refreshed and now have four (two on each side) circles.  The trunk has a small but raised spoiler.  It is tasteful, but I still wonder if I would want it on my SRT8.  The spoiler is attached by four bolts and I think it could be removed (not that I tried).  The wheels are 20-inches, and ride on low profile tires.  My favorite line on the whole car is the intersection of the belt line and the shoulders in the rear.  It almost looks like a lightning bolt.

The interior was originally a horrible mess.  The materials when the car launched were all hard plastic.  I am not talking about just any plastic.  We are talking about plastic that even Lego would reject for quality control.  Back in 2008, a mild refresh fixed that, and everything you touch and even most things you do not are now soft touch.  Very little hard plastic is still left.  The belt line is high, which makes it feel smaller then it really is.  Sight lines are surprisingly good.  The interior has tons of space both in the front and back.  The rear seats fold down almost flat – the bolsters prevent them from being perfectly flat.  That said, it is nice to see that they are able to fold.  This increases functionality for hauling large items.  The seats were very well bolstered and more then comfortable.  The bolsters are leather and the center of the seat is a suede-like material that keeps you from sliding when driving aggressively.

The SRT8 is powered by not just any HEMI but the HEMI.  The 6.1 liter HEMI puts out 425 horsepower and 420 pound feet to the rear wheels.  The power is channeled through a one-choice five-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capabilities.  No manual is offered, though how cool would it be if they offered the pistol grip six-speed from the Challenger?  This engine just sounds terrific. You literally just want to slam the gas to hear it over and over again.  Of course you would expect with this amount of power this car has, mileage suffers- -and you would be correct.  It is rated by the EPA at 13/19 mpg, I saw an average of 14.3 mpg with a mix of city and suburb driving.

This car drives like a big sports car.  Wait – well not like just any sports car.  This is not a Porsche, rather this is a large car.  It will push in the corners and you will feel its weight.  That said, it is very composed. It drives European-like which should be no surprise, because the basic frame and transmission is a hand-me-down from the 1999 generation Mercedes Benz E Class (W210).

I actually was moving when the Charger SRT8 was in my possession.  I used this vehicle to see just how practical it was in daily service.  The seats folding down helped and the trunk swallowed a surprisingly large amount of boxes.  The subwoofer in the corner of the trunk did eat into some of the cargo space, but that is minimal.  The practicality of this vehicle was demonstrated in spades.

Alright so what do we have here?  Well, it is practical for a sports car.  A large trunk and large interior while still going like a bat out of hell.  I already know what you are going to say – but Joel it gets crappy gas mileage.  To that I say this – it gets no worse then my Jeep and many other SUV’s that Americans love, yet it is a heck of a lot more fun to drive.  This Charger SRT8 was fully loaded and had a sticker price of $43,730 and that is a lot of coin.  You can get any of the other new muscle cars such as the new Chevrolet Camaro SS or Ford Mustang GT with just as much power, better fuel economy and for a lot less coin.  But they do not have four doors.  It is all about what you need and or want.  I would say this is a great family sedan for the guy that simply wants fast but can not compromise and get a two door. With the Pontiac G8 GXP now dead and gone, this is one of the cheapest four-door sports sedans that houses over 400 hp.

Full Disclosure- The review vehicle was provided by Chrysler

Recently we all caught a clean glimpse of the front end of the upcoming 2011 Dodge Charger.  Between the front end spy shot and the hints/previews the folks at Dodge have provided through out the year, Edmunds Inside Line were able to put together this illustration of what the upcoming 2011 Dodge Charger will probably look like.  No this is not a guarantee so do not go betting someone on this.  This is merely a very logical and good guess at what we will see come to the auto show circuit later this year.  Keep in mind even though the current Charger came out in 2005 and is really due for a complete redesign, this is not that.  This will be a refresh so for those expecting a clean slate for the sheet metal design forget it.  Though I hear the interior is (as we have seen a few times) definitely more then a refresh and will be made of much better materials.

Source- The Auto Insider via Edmunds Inside Line

What you are looking at is in fact the new upcoming 2011 Dodge Charger.  The Ram’s head logo might be replaced by the two diagonal stripes which are Dodge’s new logo.  The production launch should be starting late in November this year which will be the same time as the slightly refreshed 2011 Dodge Challenger.  The upcoming models will feature the new Pentastar V6 along with the usual Hemi V8.  The next generation SRT8′s will have a 6.4 liter Hemi V8 replacing the current 6.1 liter V8.  Power output could be as high as 500 hp from the 6.4 liters powering the SRT8′s, though 440-475 hp is more likely.  We can expect the SRT8′s to most likely appear towards the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012.  A 5 speed automatic will be the transmission in the 2011 at launch, though rumors peg a ZF designed 8 speed transmission possibly coming to the line up.  The 8 speed might only make it to the SRT’s and trucks but who really knows at this point.  Also possible is a 7 speed automatic again this it is really unknown what will happen on this front.

The greenhouse seems to be smoothed out possibly for aerodynamics.  The grill is restyled and enlarged.  The hood has more sculpting and more creases appear all over.  Overall this looks like a healthy update and I personally can not wait to see the rear.  We can naturally assume the new refreshed models will be revealed later this fall.

Head over to Allpar for more info and pics.

Source- Allpar

Episode 26 starts with introducing this weeks guests Mirko Reinhardt and Nick Fay.  Moving into the garage we talk about both the EVOMS Porsche 997.2 TT and 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8 I was in for the past weeks along with the Porsche Boxster Nick drove.  Last but not least we discuss the Tesla Roadster Sport I drove.  We then move along to the major news of the week segment.  This week included-

• Jeep Product Onslaught
• Chrysler to leave the European market
• Buick Dropping trim levels and adding three models
• Chrysler Sebring Name to Stick Around For Now

Next came our main topic which we have a discussion about the differences between American driving and European driving and the overall differences in car culture.

Last we plug our respective blogs, Cheers and Gears,  AutoBird Blog and Accelerate Mpls.

Download this episode (right click and save)

Cop cars: No one really wants to see them in the rear view mirror, and yet everyone seems to slow down and gawk when someone else is pulled over.  For a long time, the Ford Crown Victoria, known as the Police Interceptor, has been the police vehicle of choice; with a body on frame design and rear wheel drive these cars were street tanks.  Pulling bent frames, replacing panels, rebuilding and replacing rear ends has become commonplace for police departments.  In all reality, we knew the current Crown Victoria would not soldier on forever and reality has finally set in for the Crown Vic.  Currently, the Chevrolet Impala and Dodge Charger are both being sold for police duty but Ford’s Crown Victoria is still the reigning champ when it comes to the number of police vehicles on the road. But, current Dodge Charger police vehicles walk all over the current Crown Victoria in performance.

New Caprice PPV

Last October, Chevrolet showed off the upcoming Caprice PPV (police patrol vehicle).  This vehicle is based off the Zeta platform, the same platform the now dead Pontiac G8 was based off of.  GM is utilizing the long wheel base version of this platform currently being used in the Caprice in the Middle East market.  GM says that this vehicle will only be sold for police use.  They interior has been modified for police duty, including the seats which are designed to accommodate utility belts.  The center stack is designed to allow a computer to be installed along with the high technology needed. A large touch screen is optional and will take up almost the entire center stack. In the rest of the vehicle, the trunk measures 18.5 cubic feet.  For power, the engine will initially be a one choice E85 capable 6.0 liter. V8 pushing out 355 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque channeled through a six speed automatic to the rear wheels.  After about, a year a V6 should join the engine line up.  Of course, all the heavy duty upgrades will be implemented such as brakes, alternator, transmission and other bits, all upgraded for police use.

Interior of the new Caprice PPV

New Ford Police Interceptor

Last week, Ford unveiled the replacement for the Crown Dinosaur, which happens to essentially be a police duty Taurus.  Of course, this will not be called the Taurus, rather it will be known as the new Ford Police Interceptor.  Like the consumer Taurus, the new Police Interceptor will come in either front wheel or all wheel drive with the same base 3.5 liter, V6 pushing 263 hp and 250+ ft-lb of torque, or the optional Ecoboost V6 pushing out 365 hp and 355 ft-lb.  The base V6 routes the power to the two front wheels while the optional Ecoboost will route the power to all four wheels.  Ford has said that a police vehicle needs ‘cop brakes, a cop motor and cop suspension’.  Apparently, the new Taurus either met these requirements or has had the necessary upgrades to meet the demands.  Additionally, the seats are new and, like the Chevrolet PPV, they are designed to let an officer sit comfortably with their utility belts on.  The trunk measures in at 20.1 cubic feet.  Ford is boasting about how the new Police Interceptor can withstand a 75 mile per hour rear impact: an industry first.  Ford also promised that another Police Interceptor model would be unveiled later this year.  That model would be a utility vehicle of some sorts most likely based off the upcoming new Explorer or the Flex, both of which are variations on the Taurus platform.

Interior of the new Police Interceptor

Current Generation Dodge Charger Police Package

A new Dodge Charger should be unveiled sometime later this year as the new 2011 Charger is scheduled to start production in November.  As the current Charger is gaining traction in the police vehicle market, you can be assured the next generation Charger will have a police package available.  The current Charger uses the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 pushing 368 hp and 410 ft-lb through a five speed automatic transmission.  The interior does not have seats specifically designed for the officer like the new offerings.  The next Charger will, undoubtedly, have more specific police officer focused interior amenities.

Carbon Motors E7

There is also an oddball player that is scheduled to enter the market.  Carbon Motors is set to bring a new type of police vehicle to market named the E7.  This is a all new car coming from an all new company.  The vehicle will utilize a 3.0 liter turbo diesel engine putting out 250 hp and 400 ft-lb with all the power being pushed to the rear wheels.  Some are claiming this vehicle might be capable of 30 mpg on the highway.  This car is the definition of high technology for the police, featuring a touch screen computer in the dash, LED police lights and suicide rear doors.  The back seat will be fully washable as it is made of hard plastic instead of vinyl like the competition.  Carbon Motors is claiming over 12,500 orders for the E7 (which is a codename while the car is in development) from 350 law enforcement agencies across the U.S..  The vehicle is scheduled to be produced in Connersville, Indiana.

A quick break down of the specs we know as they currently stand-

Ford Crown Vic -

239hp and 287 ft-lbs, RWD, 20.6 cubic ft trunk, rear leg room 38 in, 4127 lbs

Chevrolet PPV-

355hp and 385 ft-lbs, RWD, 18.5 cubic ft trunk, rear leg room 43.2 in, 4075 lbs

New Ford Police Interceptor-

263hp (365hp) and  249 ft-lbs (350 ft-lbs), FWD (AWD), 20.1 cubic ft trunk, rear leg room 38.1 in, 4015 lbs (4368 lbs)

Current Dodge Charger-

368hp and 410 ft-lbs, RWD, 16.2 cubic ft trunk, rear leg room 40.2 in, 3900 lbs

So, what we have here is a new war of the cop cars.  While I do not doubt the Carbon Motors E7 will come to market, I wonder at what cost.  The vehicle is technology laden and that is probably going to be its largest issue.  The Taurus is a heavy car and adding all wheel drive adds complexity to the drivetrain.  Long term, the all wheel drive will add cost to the ownership for police departments along with those twin turbos.

I think that many markets in the snow belt, such as the Northeastern part of the U.S. and Minnesota, Detroit, Illinois and others, will embrace the optional all wheel drive in the Taurus and that the rest of the market share will most likely shift to the Chevrolet PPV.  The next generation Dodge Charger will undoubtedly sell some police units and I am sure the Carbon E7 will sell, but it is too early to tell in what numbers.  According to Ford, the police market gobbles up nearly 60,000-70,000 vehicles per year!  My sources tell me that the PPV, with the V8 costing approximately $17,000-$18,000 to the fleets, you can take about $1,000-$2,000 off that price when the V6 launches.  Time will tell who wins this war but without a question, it will be interesting to watch.  Leave your thoughts in the comments.

2011 Chrysler 300 Interior

Dates have been leaked out onto Allpar, a site devoted to all things Chrysler past and present, with the production start dates for many of the new or refreshed Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep models.

Things to note:

• The LX based cars now have the same date as each other
• It was originally stated that production of the new Charger and 300C would be staggered and now they are pegged to enter production simultaneously
• The Wrangler date has also been moved up slightly
• Rumors now peg the 200C name plate to be replacing the Sebring name
• The Avenger name may soldier on for the Dodge counterpart

Production Start Dates:

2010 Viper – March 29

2011 Ram Chassis Cab – April 5

2011 Grand Cherokee – May 10

2011 Ram 1500/2500 – July 5 (one plant; second plant for Ram 1500 starts July 26)

2011 Caliber, Dakota, Liberty, Nitro – July 26

2011 Wrangler – August 16

2011 Jeep Patriot – October 4

2011 Dodge CUV (Durango replacement, possibly Magnum) – November 8

2011 Journey, Ram 1500 Hybrid – November 16

2011 Avenger  (Sebring?) – November 18

2011 Minivans – November 22

2011 Charger, Challenger, 300 – November 30

2011 Jeep Compass, 2012 Fiat 500 – December 13

2011 Dodge Charger Gauge Cluster

Source- AllPar

The better part of yesterday journalists spent over 6 hours in a Chrysler press conference listening to their detailed plans for the coming 5-years.  Of course most of the people there, including Ray Wert from Jalopnik, were live tweeting all the information for our viewing pleasure.  We now know what will be coming out from Chrysler and can start evaluating the actions they are taking to achieve their plans.  Seems the twitterverse started doing that immediately.  So what exactly happened?  Below I will touch on the highlights.

Ram-

Ram will no longer be known just as the full size pick-up name plate.  Instead it will be known as the truck line of Chrysler vehicles.  All trucks going forth in the future will be known as Ram.  The brand is going to appeal to the commercial side of business.

• Dakota will be dead after 2011
• A new midsize unibody truck is under consideration to replace the Dakota in 2012
• Light duty full size pick up (current Ram) major refresh in 2012
• Heavy duty full size pick up (current Ram Heavy Duty) major refresh in 2012
• Chassis cab pick up (current Ram chassis cab) major refresh in 2012
• New large and small commercial vans from Fiat come branded as Ram’s.

Jeep-

They said Jeep is going “back to its roots”.  What that means is yet to be seen.

• Small SUV based off a Fiat comes in 2013
• Current Compass gets refresh (mostly interior) for 2010
• Current Patriot gets refresh (mostly interior) for 2010
• Compass and Patriot merge into one new small CUV in 2013
• Wrangler to get major refresh 2010/2011
• Liberty gets a mild refresh in 2010 and will be replaced in 2013 with a Fiat SUV
• Commander will probably be killed off after 2010
• Brand new Grand Cherokee in 2010

2011 Grand Cherokee coming in 2010

Fiat-

• 500 coming in 2010 as coupe, convertible, and hot Abarth form
  

  Fiat 500 Abarth

Chrysler-

Supposed to be up market and have style with class.  This will remain to be seen.

• Town & Country will get a major overhaul in 2010
• Brand new 300/300C in 2010
• All new crossover coming in 2013
• Sebring will get refresh in 2010.
• Brand new Sebring in 2013. Unknown if it will retain the Sebring name.
• The PT Cruiser is finally being killed after 2010. No seriously, this time they are for real.
• Brand new compact sedan will arrive in 2012
• Brand new small car will arrive in 2013 that will come from Fiat

Dodge-

• Full size CUV arrives in 2010 most likely the next Durango based off of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Grand Caravan gets major refresh in 2010 with a all new model in 2014
• Brand new Charger will arrive in 2010
• Challenger will receive a mild refresh in 2011
• Viper is being killed summer of 2010.  All new Viper arrives in 2012
• Nitro gets refresh in 2011 and the future is uncertain going on from that
• Journey gets a refresh in 2010
• Avenger gets a refresh in 2010 with a all new model arriving in 2013
• Brand new compact sedan arrives in 2012
• Caliber is killed after 2012 and will receive a mild interior refresh next month
• Brand new small car arrives in 2013 based off a Fiat

Engines/Transmissions-

• Fiat 1.4 liter Multiair in Fiat 500 in 2010
• Fiat 1.4 liter Multiair turbo in Fiat 500 in 2011
• Phase out quickly all 4-speed transmissions
• Pentastar V6 debuts in new Grand Cherokee.  Will spread across the line over time
• Pentastar V6 turbo/twin turbo coming in late 2010/early 2011
• Start/stop technology to debut in Jeep Wrangler diesel in late 2010
• Dual clutch transmission debuts in late 2010
• Diesel engines coming late 2010/early 2011

Ram will keep the current ram’s head as the logo.  Dodge’s logo will be Dodge spelled out in black and red.  Chrysler is receiving a new logo which looks very similar to the Aston Martin logo.  Fiat and Jeep will retain their current logos.  It has been confirmed a 6.4 liter Hemi is coming, and will have 450 hp.  Also confirmed is next year the Sebring, 300, PT Cruiser, and the Town & Country will all have special editions next year before the refreshed models (or in the PT Cruisers case, dies) hit the showrooms.  The PT Cruisers special edition, fittingly, will be “Final Edition”.  The 300C will have a “sport” edition while the Sebring’s special edition will be known as “Ocean Edition”.  The Town & Country’s special edition will be a “Fashion Edition”.  Also shown were two photos of the next Dodge Charger.  One photo was the new gauge cluster while the other was of the side of the car looking from the rear fender.  The photo of the outside looks very similar to the 1999 Dodge Charger RT concept car.  The major take aways from the announcement is that maybe Fiat did know what they were getting into and possibly, just maybe, Chrysler could turn out to be on the right course.  The above is a lot to accomplish in a small amount of time so time will tell how this “plan” turns out.

2011 Dodge Charger

2011 Dodge Charger Gauge Cluster

1999 Dodge Charger RT Concept