I remember when the Dodge Durango first came out. It was a sharp looking truck-based SUV. Then, the second generation came out and it all went to heck. The styling was a mess, the interior materials would make Lego cry, and it was just plain ugly. Now we have a third generation Durango which is based on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. I spent a week with it to find out if it is a sharp looking SUV or another mess that would make Lego cry. Read More…
While Detroit has been down in the dumps for a while, this years auto show definitely shows things might be back on track in the D. Of course it had to snow while everyone was in town, but it gave those from the warmer climates a chance to see what us snow belt state peeps live through on a daily basis.
Some of you will remember that last year I wanted to differentiate myself. I started tweeting pictures of cars with the models and tagged them as #EyeCandy. This quickly became a hot topic. A few of my followers mentioned this year that I was not really tweeting any #EyeCandy and asked why not. The simple answer, there wasn’t any. Few booths had the babes that were in attendance last year. Though Chrysler group and Ferrari still pulled through.
But lets get down the to the product. The new Chrysler 300 looks terrific. In reality, many wondered when they saw the pictures if it can recapture the market that the 300 once had in 2005. Upon seeing the car in real life, I am happy to report that it looks much better in person. The interior really does deliver on the promise that the 300 made back in 2005. American luxury. From the great new Pentastar V6, to the growling Hemi V8 in the 300C, this is American luxury in a rear-wheel drive car.
Another car I was anxious to see in real life was the new Chevrolet Sonic. The Sonic is Chevrolet’s new B-Segment car which will take on the likes of the new Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and many others. I have to say, while I think the new Sonic is a home run from a styling perspective, I can see how many will not. It will be either a love it or hate it vehicle. From the exposed barrel headlights to the ridiculously short rear overhang and really long front overhang, the styling is nothing short of eye catching. The interior gauge cluster is also interesting, as they actually put into the production model the Aveo RS concept’s gauge cluster. With a racing like analogue tachometer and a digital speedometer, the gauge cluster is more reminiscent of a race car or motorcycle than that of a sub-compact car. Going on sale later this year I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and see how the driving dynamics compare to the competition.
The new A6 has already won a design award without even leaving the show floor. In my opinion the new A6 takes everything that is right with the new A8 and A4 while dropping everything that is wrong with them. Smashing all the good together to make a great looking Audi. The design language has really come together for this car. The interior is terrific and the exterior is eye catching. The optional LED headlights are very intricately designed when inspecting them up close. You will see the new A6 on the road later this year.
I’m not going to really cover the CTS-V Coupe race car but I wanted to make mention of it. Two words come to mind when you walked past it on the turntable, menacing and awesome. Ok, moving on.
Toyota has finally unveiled a larger Prius. The model is called the Prius V. This is especially confusing to some since the regular Prius has trim level packages that are in roman numerals. Right now if you go buy a Prius in the top trim level you are buying a Prius V. Wait, that can’t make sense. So when you buy a top trim level Prius V will you be buying a Prius V V? This is clearly not well thought out. I wonder if Toyota realizes this yet. Maybe someone should send them a note. Regardless, I heard many people comment on how the Prius V rear end has a lot of Honda Fit in it. I can see that. The front, well it looks like a third generation Prius with a few slight tweaks. You’ll still know it’s a Prius. You will see the people mover Prius at a dealership near you in the Summer.
Ah the Honda Civic Concept. Honda waltzed Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy on stage to talk about the new Civic Concept. Here’s the problem, either Wentz was drunk or he really could care less about being there. He enthusiasm was worse than the new Civic’s styling. He barely stumbled through his words off the teleprompter. Note to Honda: make sure your spokesperson is somewhat excited about your luke warm product.
But getting back to that product, the new Civic Concept looks as if a new Odyssey and the current generation Civic got it on in the back room. That, or a designer of the current Civic got wasted one night, and just took the current Civics lines and tweaked them a little. For a mid-cycle refresh, I am not sure how this will be competitive until 2016 with new competition from Hyundai, Ford and Chevrolet. We will have to wait and see when the new Civic comes out, but I am not holding my breath.
Mercedes had its SLS E-Cell electric car on display. In a word it is blinding. The paint job on this car can literally sear your retinas. Beyond the paint job, it looks fairly identical on the outside to the current SLS. The interior changes a little as most of the gauges and center stack are now LCD screens. This car will go into production, but if you have to ask range or price, you can’t afford it.
I don’t really want to spend much time on the Passat as I’m not sure it deserves it. I’ll reserve final judgement until I drive one. Until then, I’ll say this, Volkswagen is going downmarket to sell more cars. Is that really a good idea? Why alienate all your current customers. People that buy current Passats pay more because they expect to get better quality materials. Cheapening the car for a lower base price is going to hurt your brand image. This is no longer just German engineering, it is German engineering to a price point.
While I skipped Porsches press conference to eat breakfast at my hotel (it was at 6:30 AM), I will say looking at the car in person, it is stunning. Seeing that huge flywheel in the passenger seat, yea. This is how you build a hybrid. It is good to see Porsche looking at new technology for racing. If this car does go into the racing circuit it could change the game. With less fuel stops needed and more power on tap for instant bursts, it could be a whole new era of racing.
At the end of the day I was exhausted. Most journalists were up at 5 AM and didn’t leave the show floor till nearly 8 PM. I ran to nearly every press conference and went through approximately 6,600 milliamps of battery power for my iPhone4. It was a good show with some great product. Not everything was great, but it was a good to see where each automaker is going in 2011.
Full Disclosure- My NAIAS travel and accommodations are being provided by General Motors
Not content to let Ford and Chevrolet take the Police departments over fully Dodge has revealed the upcoming Police Pursuit vehicle. This is the 2011 Dodge Charger in all it’s glory. In fact this is the first official picture released by Chrysler of the 2011 Dodge Charger. Details are still flowing in but you can bet the pursuit vehicle will feature both the new Pentastar V6 (that just launched recently in the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee) and the Hemi V8 with MDS. Rear wheel drive will of course be the drive train set up and it is still murky as to the transmission choice, though I would assume the current 5 speed automatic will be in the police Pursuit vehicles. Oh by the way, they finally got around to adding a column mounted shifter for the police package thus freeing up some space between the seats for other equipment. Also inside the Pursuit vehicle they are touting red and white LED interior lighting which is for night-vision equipment and more.
As previously reported the new upcoming 2012 Dodge Durango (or is that Magnum?) is coming very soon. In fact if earlier leaks are correct the new Durango should start production on November 8. That is pending that the production is still on schedule or that the schedule has not shifted. Judging by this picture which is obviously in the factory or near the pre-production line the vehicle is probably on schedule.
The design has not changed much from the earlier leaks which is to say it is strong but dramatically different from the current Durango. The Durango (Magnum?) will be based on the new Grand Cherokee platform though probably a little longer due to third row. The powertrain line up will also mimic the new 2011 Grand Cherokee with the Pentastar V6 and Hemi V8.
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.
The numbers are officially in on the all-new Pentastar V6 and it will be pumping out 10 more hp then previously stated in the upcoming 2011 Grand Cherokee. That brings the grand total to 290 hp and 260 lb-ft channeled through a five-speed automatic. The optional Hemi will be rated at 360 hp and 390 lb-ft, also channeled through a five-speed automatic. Definitely notable is the estimated fuel mileage in the V6, which is expected to come in around 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. That is significantly better than the current generation Grand Cherokee’s 3.7 liter V6. The Hemi will probably be rated right around 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. For that kind of power the Hemi has a somewhat acceptable highway rating in my opinion. More news is sure to flow out on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee as it is anticipated to go on sale next month and arrive in dealerships shortly after.
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.
I remember when the Dodge Durango first came out. It was a sharp looking truck-based SUV. Then, the second generation came out and it all went to heck. The styling was a mess, the interior materials would make Lego cry, and it was just plain ugly. Now we have a third generation Durango which is based on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. I spent a week with it to find out if it is a sharp looking SUV or another mess that would make Lego cry. Read More…
