Nissan Tries for Backwards Speed Record
June 23, 2012 by PGI Auto · Leave a Comment
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the place where those in the automotive industry can all get together to have a good time. It’s a highly publicized event, and it tends to bring out the crazy, since not only does crazy garner media attention, but it’s also a lot of fun. Nissan has joined the [...]
2013 Dodge Dart
December 8, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Hatchback , Chrysler , Dodge Dodge might have teased us with a few images and some initial powertrain details on the 2013 Dart , but Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has provided even more in an interview with Reuters . According to Marchionne, the Dart is one piece of a larger puzzle for Chrysler in 2013, and the all-new Dart – based off a widened and stretched Alfa Romeo Giulietta – will hit 40 mpg thanks to a host of new engines and transmissions. As previously reported , the turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir fitted to the Fiat 500 Abarth will grace the top of the Dart range, but Dodge also plans to fit modified versions of the 2.0 and 2.4-liter World Gas Engine, comically rebranded as the Tigershark. When the Dart debuts, a Fiat-sourced six-speed dual-clutch transmission will feed the front wheels, but later in 2013 Dodge will reportedly offer a nine-speed automatic gearbox supplied by the ZF Group and manufactured in South Carolina. ZF officials claim fuel economy will be boosted between 10 to 16 percent over the dual-clutch ‘box, and that should put it handily in the 40 mpg range. And that last bit is important, as Fiat will receive its final five percent of Chrysler stock from the feds when it produces a vehicle with a 40-mpg rating. Marchionne: 2013 Dodge Dart will have optional 9-speed auto, hit 40 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Audi announces pricing for 2012 MY TT RS
July 27, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Check out the latest Audi news courtesy of Larson Audi of Tacoma! • Introduction of TT RS marks the much anticipated return of the RS nameplate to U.S. • TT RS fitted with a manual transmission and the award-winning, powerful 2.5 Liter TFSI® turbo-charged five-cylinder engine Audi of America today announced pricing for the much [...]
Unlikely Matchup: Nissan GT-R Stage 2 vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Supercharged
July 26, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Motorsports , Videos , Jeep , Nissan The people behind Dragtimes.info love sharing videos where powerful machines are paired in head-to-head straight-line automotive combat. Recently, a unique face-off occurred when a Nissan GT-R lined up at the tree with a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 in the other lane. Both vehicles are far from stock, put down their power via all four wheels and snap off the line as if they were whips cracked by Henry Walton Jones, Jr himself. Both drivers have a mile to go before they reach the finish line. That distance will be covered in less than 30 seconds. Click past the jump to see who’s faster. Continue reading Unlikely Matchup: Nissan GT-R Stage 2 vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Supercharged Unlikely Matchup: Nissan GT-R Stage 2 vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Supercharged originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
July 25, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Performance , SUV , Jeep , First Drives Jeep’s Best Argument To Skip The Dirt We’ve just returned from flogging the all-new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 on the main 2.5-mile road circuit at Willow Springs Motorsports Park in Southern California. This particular Jeep is nothing like your great-grandfather’s Willys, your cousin’s lifted CJ or even your little sister’s Liberty. Lacking anything close to resembling a Trail Rated badge, this lowered, two-and-a-half ton monster packs a massive 6.4-liter Hemi under its hood, 20-inch forged alloys at each corner and an adaptive damping system to keep body movement in check. Even from a distance, it’s hard to miss this four-door’s oversized brakes, cannon exhaust pipes and intimidating body cladding. This Jeep looks mean, sounds aggressive and picks fights with sports cars instead of mountains. But what is the point of the Grand Cherokee SRT8? Do its owners race it, or is this simply an exercise to antagonize cavalier Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 drivers? What are the benefits – and drawbacks – to packing 470 horsepower in an SUV? Can this thing even tow? We found answers to all of those questions and more, during our day on the track and long drive back to Los Angeles. Continue reading 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Rainy Start To The Chrysler Nationals Doesn’t Phase Dodge
July 8, 2011 by paramopgi · Leave a Comment
Mother Nature wasn’t too cooperative for the first day here at the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals. Thunderstorms rolled across the field for most of the day, making us feel very lucky that we pitched a tent for our R/T pack of vehicles. Despite the wet weather, enthusiasts were out in force. Those that visited our tent were delighted [...]
Chrysler to take next-gen Viper back to Le Mans?
June 30, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Motorsports , Chrysler , Dodge , Racing Mending a rift in motor racing is good for everybody. It was good for American open-wheel racing when the Champ Car and IndyCar Series put aside their differences to rejoin forces. And it will be good for sports car racing now that the FIA and the ACO are in the same corner . Just as Indy is set to grow with new manufacturers participating, so is it expected of the new FIA World Endurance Championship . Toyota is one of the major automakers reportedly working on a new LMP1 program, and now reports indicate that the Chrysler Group could be preparing to rejoin endurance racing with a competition version of the upcoming next-generation Viper . As you may recall, the original Viper bred the GTS-R that claimed overall wins in the N
Nissan-powered Cars Finished in First and Second Place at Le Mans
June 13, 2011 by paramopgi · Leave a Comment
At the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours, Nissan-powered cars finished in first and second place for a stunning victory. Olivier Lombard took the chequered flag as LMP2 winner in the Zytek Nissan of Greaves Motorsport. In second place was the Oreca 03 Nissan of the Signatech Nissan team of Lucas Ordonez, Franck Mailleux and Soheil Ayari. Learn [...]
Ralph Gilles named President and CEO of SRT brand
June 7, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs , Chrysler Chrysler has announced a rash of personnel changes. Ralph Gilles will now serve as the President and CEO of the company’s Street and Racing Technology brand, which be responsible for crafting performance products across the various Chrysler camps. The SRT brand will also take charge of the company’s various motorsports activities. Gilles will still hold onto his duties as head honcho of exterior and interior design. While SRT has long been familiar to car buyers and enthusiasts, this is the first time Chrysler will treat the performance division as a distinct brand. This probably doesn’t mean that SRT will replace Dodge, Jeep, or Chrysler branding on a particular vehicle, rather, it’s simply an effort to put the company’s SRT projects together under a common head, Gilles. In addition to the SRT changes, Fred Diaz has been appointed President and CEO of Chrysler de Mexico, and Reid Bigland has taken over duties as President and CEO of the Dodge car brand and head of U.S. sales. Bigland will also continue to serve as President and CEO of Chrysler Canada. David Buckingham will now fill the newly created Chief Operating Officer of Chrysler Canada position, and Joe ChamaSrour will now report to Mike Manly as part of International Operations for the automaker. Click past the break to view the brief press release. Continue reading Ralph Gilles named President and CEO of SRT brand Ralph Gilles named President and CEO of SRT brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Video: Inside line drives a trio of Fast Five cars
April 20, 2011 by paramopgi · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Classics , Convertible , Coupe , Performance , Videos , Chevrolet , Dodge , Celebrities , Specialty , Off-Road Fast Five 1965 Corvette Grand Sport – Click above to watch the videos after the jump The fifth installment of the Fast and the Furious series, Fast Five , is ready to debut this summer, unleashing another round of “nos”-fed hilarity. In anticipation of the promised vehicular mayhem, they guys at Inside Line caught up with Dennis McCarthy, the man behind the stable of hot rods featured in the movie. The first is a one-off, tube-frame monstrosity of an offroad car hauler lovingly dubbed “Mongo.” Mongo was designed to assist Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in filching exotic cars from a moving train. To our eyes, Mongo looks ready to do just that, sporting a 600-plus-horsepower 502-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8, 7:10 gears and 18 inches of suspension travel. According to McCarthy, Mongo did his own stunts, completing a 75-foot jump and driving away unscathed. Wow. The next sample on today’s palette is possibly the most famous car to come out of the Fast and the Furious franchise, Dom Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger . Though the car in the film sports a 900-horsepower supercharged Hemi, keeping costs low dictated a slightly tamer set up for the actual workhorses of the film. In stuntman-ready trim, the Charger sported a 400-hp Chevy small block (sorry, Mopar fans…) capped by a gutted BDS blower just for effect. According to IL, it’s loud, scary to drive and uncomfortable, just the way any self-respecting mock up should be. The final car on the list is the star of the show, a replica of a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport , build by Mongoose Motorsports. It features the ubiquitous Chevrolet 502 big block, backed up by a Borg Warner Super T-10 four-speed stick. The combination rides on C3 Corvette suspension, which struggles to handle nearly 600 horses stuffed into a featherweight frame. After weeks of abuse at the hands of Hollywood, none of the cars are feeling as healthy as they once were. That said, they all still run, which can’t be said for hundreds of other cars used in the movie. Added to that, they’ll all still burn up the rear tires with poise, showing they still have their dignity. Click past the jump to see all three cars in action. [Source: YouTube via Inside Line ] Continue reading Video: Inside line drives a trio of Fast Five cars Video: Inside line drives a trio of Fast Five cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read
