New 2013 VW CC
November 2, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Aftermarket , SEMA Show , Convertible , SUV , Videos , Jeep Considering how long the Jeep Wrangler has been in production, we’re surprised that nobody thought of this sooner. The Jeep enthusiasts at Omix-Ada Inc. have designed what they’re calling the world’s first power folding soft top kit for the beloved Wrangler, which can be fitted to any 2007-2012 model year four-door model. (The company says a kit for the two-door Wrangler is expected to arrive later in 2012.) The Rugged Ridge package comes complete with a vinyl top, power top frame, hydraulics, wiring harness and installation pack, and the top itself includes a zip-out, removable, tinted rear window. Omix-Ada says the whole kit comes ready to install with “no fuss or mess.” We can’t help but notice that the top looks sort of flimsy during operation, but nevertheless, it’s a neat aftermarket tweak to one of the most iconic off-roaders ever to grace our roads (and trails). We’re not sure how well the hardcore purists will receive something like this, but there are plenty of people buying four-door Wranglers as lifestyle vehicles, too. Check out a pair of videos after the jump showing the power folding top in action, along with Omix-Ada’s press release. Continue reading Jeep Wrangler power folding top kit debuts at SEMA Jeep Wrangler power folding top kit debuts at SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Cadillac has new poster sedan
October 27, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Buying , Minivan/Van , Europe , Chrysler , Lancia , Fiat The Chrysler – Fiat merger has already spawned some nicely badge-engineered Chryslers for the U.K. market , and now comes payback. The 2012 Lancia Voyager goes on sale in Europe this month, and if it looks like a Chrysler Town & Country Limited, well, that’s because it is. Save for some rather tastefully applied badging identifying the upscale Italian brand – and the removal of the TC’s chrome bodyside molding – we’re hard pressed to see much difference between the U.S. and Euro versions of the people mover, at least on the surface. Underhood, however, Lancia will be offering a 2.8-liter common rail turbodiesel that’s unavailable in the States. While the diesel is only rated at a meager 163 horsepower, its 265 pound-feet of torque is more than the Pentastar V6 gasoline engine, which is also an option overseas. Fiat says the diesel Voyager is good for 30 miles per gallon in the European combined cycle; the 283-horsepower Pentastar manages just 22 mpg in this application. This would be the place where we would normally grumble about not getting the diesel version here in the U.S., but we’re not going to do that this time. After all, it’s just a Chrysler minivan. See the full press release after the break . Continue reading How do you say “Chrysler minivan” in Italian? “Lancia Voyager” How do you say “Chrysler minivan” in Italian? “Lancia Voyager” originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Nissan making some safety changes
October 20, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Buying , SUV , Crossover , Chevrolet , Dodge , Ford , Honda , Kia , Mazda , Toyota Cars.com recently lined up seven new vehicles for a $37,000 SUV shootout. The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse , 2012 Dodge Durango , 2012 Ford Explorer , 2012 Honda Pilot , 2012 Kia Sorento , 2011 Mazda CX-9 and 2011 Toyota Highlander all squared off against one another in a range of evaluations, including a one-day highway drive and family testing. If you happen to be the deductive type, you may have noticed that the list above includes a fair number of genuine crossovers. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Traverse and Mazda CX-9 bear little resemblance to the body-on-frame bruisers of old, and even models like the 2012 Explorer and 2012 Durango have evolved out of their traditional shells. But when the dust settled, it was Honda’s 2012 Pilot that took top honors thanks to its high level of amenities, spacious interior and clever storage solutions, despite the fact that reviewers found issue with road noise and exterior styling. Perhaps most surprising is the fact that the 2012 Explorer tied for sixth place with the 2012 Sorento. Ouch. Head over to Cars.com to see the full evaluation, and vote for your favorite in our poll. View Poll Cars.com $37,000 SUV shootout yields unexpected results [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Why does that 14 year old Chrysler Neon look brand new?
October 14, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Classics , Budget , Sedan , China , Etc. , Chrysler The world is filled with curious questions. Why are we here? Why do we hate tomatoes but love ketchup? Why do Americans love crossovers? Why are there 150 brand-new 1997 Dodge Neon models with zero miles on the odometer up for sale in Singapore? That last one is particularly perplexing. Arete Trading Pte Ltd. has somehow managed to get its hands on a small flotilla of pristine Neon models and is currently in the process of parceling them out for the lowly sum of $1,350 each. That means, if you had $202,500 laying around, you could live the dream of driving a brand-new 14-year-old car every day for 150 days straight. Or at least you could once you had the necessary vehicle systems straightened out. We’re guessing that each of these Neons could use some fuel and brake system work in order to be even quasi viable. Still, as the good people at Motor Authority point out, get enough friends together and you could have one hell of a one-make race. Check out the sale here . 150 brand-new 1997 Chrysler Neons is the ultimate barn find originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Special Edition MW3 Jeep : Call of Duty Modern Warfare
September 28, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Jeep and Activision have partnered up once again, this time to produce a new special edition Wrangler designed to commemorate the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition is set to land on dealer lots on November 8 in conjunction with the launch of [...]
UAW seeking record $10,000 signing bonuses for each member
September 10, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Chrysler , Ford , GM , UAW/Unions There was a time when union contract negotiations centered around increased hourly wages and top benefits. Bloomberg reports that the United Auto Workers may be willing to forgo raises in favor of lump-sum payments tied to hitting profitability and productivity targets. To help sell such a deal to the UAW rank and file, Bloomberg reports that the union could seek signing bonuses of $8,000 to $10,000 per member. On the high end, that’s over three times the $3,000 Ford , General Motors and Chrysler union employees received in 2007 when they ratified their current contracts. Signing bonuses of $10,000 per union worker would cost GM $470 million, Ford $410 million and Chrysler $250 million. Bloomberg reports that, on the automakers side of the negotiating table, “there may be resistance to such a large payout.” A UAW spokesperson went on the record to say that talk of the union asking for the larger signing bonuses is “inaccurate and it creates false expectations.” The current UAW contract with the Detroit automakers expires September 14. UAW seeking record $10,000 signing bonuses for each member originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Fiat Doblo headed to U.S. as rebadged Ram in 2013
September 9, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Truck , Europe , Work , Chrysler , Dodge , Fiat In a move that truly shows how entwined Fiat and Chrysler have become, the Italian automaker, along with its U.S. sidekick Chrysler, confirmed today the launch a Ram -badged version of the Fiat Doblo van in the U.S. The Chrysler Group has not released photos or specifications for the Ram-badged Doblo, but says the van will be imported from Turkey as it will be built by Fiat Group’s Turkish joint-venture partner TOFAS. Chrysler adds that TOFAS will invest over $160 million for the necessary U.S. and Canadian homologation of the front-wheel-drive work van. TOFAS will set aside some of that cash to cover any North American, customer-specific modifications for the Doblo. Chrysler says the seven-year deal with TOFAS calls for 190,000 Doblos to be shipped to North America. Look for the first Ram-badged Doblos to hit dealer showrooms in early 2013. Continue reading Fiat Doblo headed to U.S. as rebadged Ram in 2013 Fiat Doblo headed to U.S. as rebadged Ram in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Dodge to Offer Mopar Packages on New 2012 Charger Pursuit
September 8, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Here’s the latest Dodge news brought to by Larson Dodge, part of the Larson Automotive Group! Mopar teams up with industry-equipment leader Crown North America to deliver an all-new 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit Option packages offer one-stop shopping for law enforcement customers Dodge Charger Pursuit offers choice of two engines: aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, [...]
2012 Ram pickup range updated with new gearbox, added power
September 4, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Truck , Work , Chrysler , Diesel Ram is going for broke with its 2012 truck range, increasing power in both the 5.7-liter Hemi and 6.7 Cummins diesel. The gas V8 gets a bump to 383 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline six now pushes 350 horses backed by 800 lb.-ft. of torque. Added to that, there’s a new six-speed automatic transmission with an updated torque converter. Ram says that the transmission should not only be stronger, but lead to improved fuel efficiency as well. With the new power in the big Cummins, the 4500 and 5500 series chassis cab trucks get a combined gross weight increase from 26,000 pounds to 30,000 pounds. Full details in the PR blast after the jump. Continue reading 2012 Ram pickup range updated with new gearbox, added power 2012 Ram pickup range updated with new gearbox, added power originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt
September 3, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show , Convertible , Chrysler , Lancia “Hello, Europe… are you ready to rock?” “We can’t hear you!” “We said… ‘Are you READY TO ROCK?!’” Well you’re in luck, because it’s nearly time to drop your tops and rock out to the all-new Lancia Flavia Cabrio ! Ignore your American friends when they try to tell you it’s just a Chrysler 200 Convertible wearing Lancia badges, they’re all just jealous. The Lancia Flavia Cabrio is set to make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show , along with a host of other new Lancia products. The 175-horsepower 2.4-liter I4 and six-speed automatic transmission come standard, and will make sure to push your butt back into its fine, fine (optional) leather. Sure, you can use the whole seat… but you’ll only need the edge. Check out the Lancia Flavia Cabrio in all its high-resolution glory in the gallery. There you’ll also get to check out the new Thema, Voyager, Ypsilon and Delta. Rock on! *Update: engine layout corrected to I4 Continue reading Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
