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
Chrysler 200 sedan staying home, only convertible going to Europe
August 29, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Convertible , Etc. , Europe , Chrysler , Lancia , Fiat Fiat is getting ready to stick For Sale signs on the Chrysler 200 in the European market. However, it seems only the 200 Convertible will be making the trip across the pond, where it will wear Lancia Flavia badging. Why is the sedan stuck stateside? Fiat executives find it too costly to add a diesel option, and feel the 200 sedan won’t sell well without an oil-burning powerplant under the hood. The convertible, however, is viewed as an attractive offering (in a manner of speaking) despite the gas-only powerplant. Good news, American business travelers – you can now rent yourself a droptop Sebring 2.0 while jet-setting in Europe, too. Chrysler 200 sedan staying home, only convertible going to Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Next-gen Dodge Viper mule caught wearing new front end
August 14, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Spy Photos , Convertible , Performance , Dodge It’s one thing to quietly anticipate the arrival of something exciting. It’s quite another when you can actually see it coming, so here’s a batch of spy shots showing the next-generation Dodge Viper under development. Don’t get too excited, though, because there’s little to see from this early test mule. It’s largely wearing the bodywork from the last Viper, and what’s new is heavily disguised. What we can tell is that the headlights stretch back farther over the hood than the previous model, above the updated crosshair grille now in use across the Dodge model range. The placement of the air scoops and hood louvers appear different, and from what we can see at least, the front end seems to be more refined than its brutish predecessors. Of course, it’s what’s behind that new front end that counts. It may be too early to say if the V10 will return of whether regulatory restrictions will force Chrysler to go with something slightly more “responsible,” but you can bet it’ll have more electronic nannies in place, and if the rapidly-integrating Fiat /Chrysler empire plays its cards right, Dodge’s Italian sisters could bring some experience to bear. And that can’t be a bad thing. Next-gen Dodge Viper mule caught wearing new front end originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chrysler 200 nameplate a stopgap?
June 27, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Convertible , Sedan , Chrysler 2011 Chrysler 200 – Click above for high-res image gallery In redesigning the Chrysler Sebring , the decision-makers at Team Pentastar wanted to give the vehicle sort of a fresh start, and opted to rename the car “200.” Sure, the new 200 may look a lot like its forsaken forefather, but early returns show that the sedan and convertible have gained back a measure of respect – and sales, to boot. But while the 200 has been an improvement, the The Detroit Bureau reports that the next-generation Chrysler mid-size sedan will not carry the numeric moniker. Chrysler and Fiat have long asserted that the long-term replacement to the 200 will feature Fiat architecture, and The Bureau says the designs are frozen and a names have already been chosen. This doesn’t mean that the 200 nameplate is history, however. If Chrysler does decide to change the name of the 200, it will lose the momentum it created for the name with the infamous Eminem Super Bowl commercial . Further, another new advertising campaign to introduce a new name will likely cost many millions of dollars. But if Chrysler wants to forever disassociate itself from the Sebring, changing the name one more time may be the right thing to do. Chrysler 200 nameplate a stopgap? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Motor Trend compares muscle cars, past and present
June 3, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Classics , Convertible , Coupe , Performance , Videos , Chevrolet , Chrysler , Dodge , Ford , GM Old muscle versus new muscle – Click above to watch the video after the break All day long, boys. All. Day. Long. To what are we referring, you ask? Well, that’s how long all six muscle cars rounded up by the staff at Motor Trend will eviscerate their tires. Such is the nature of the beast, and, in fact, it’s why many automotive enthusiasts just can’t get enough horsepower at the rear wheels. What we have here are Camaros, Challengers and Mustangs, gathered in pairs – one vintage example from the height of the muscle car’s reign of terror in 1969 and ’70 along with one 2011 model. This begs the question: Which era of American performance resulted in the better car? Well now, that depends on just what you’re looking for… There’s simply no arguing the fact that the 2011 Camaro SS , Challenger SRT8 392 and Shelby Mustang GT500 can accelerate (though the quarter-mile results would be closer if the old bias-ply tires were replaced with something more… modern), turn and stop better than their old-timer predecessors. But, as the editors of Motor Trend found out, that’s not the whole story. Check out the video after the break to find out what we’re on about. One last thing: Words cannot express how badly we want the keys to that 1970 Challenger. It’s nothing short of muscle car perfection. Continue reading Motor Trend compares muscle cars, past and present Motor Trend compares muscle cars, past and present originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
New York 2011: Chrysler’s 200 S Convertible is the emo cousin to standard droptop
April 21, 2011 by paramopgi · Leave a Comment
Filed under: New York Auto Show , Convertible , Chrysler 2011 Chrysler 200 S Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery Chrysler has injected a dash of menace into the 200 convertible , and the result is the 2011 200 S droptop. It’s not outright evil, since it still packs the same 283-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine and the same suspension. However, the S version trends a bit toward the dark side thanks to a host of exterior changes designed to bring a dose of cool to Chrysler’s rental lot standby. Naturally, if you prefer your cars with fixed roofs, Auburn Hills will be happy to sell you a 200 S sedan , as well. The shined-up silver paintwork looks resplendent under the New York Auto Show lights. A Chrysler wing badge sits prominently in the mesh of the black grille, while the headlights also get the black background treatment. The dark theme continues on the S-badged 18-inch aluminum wheels and then winds its way into the cabin. The front leather seats are heated and the driver can also warm up his or her hands on the heated steering wheel. The S logo is stitched into the headrests, along with a line of contrasting silver accent along the seams. The 200 S convertible should hit your local dealer later this spring, and will arrive carrying an as-delivered price tag of $32,490, while the sedan rings up at 26,790. You can eyeball the 2011 Chrysler 200 S Convertible in the galleries below, and be sure to click past the jump to read the full press release. Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 200 S Convertible: New York 2011 Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 200 S sedan and 200 S convertible Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL Continue reading New York 2011: Chrysler’s 200 S Convertible is the emo cousin to standard droptop New York 2011: Chrysler’s 200 S Convertible is the emo cousin to standard droptop originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chevrolet Camaro sales still outpacing rival Ford Mustang
April 20, 2011 by paramopgi · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Buying , Convertible , Coupe , Performance , Chevrolet , Dodge , Ford , Earnings/Financials 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS – Click above for high-res image gallery The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro is still outselling the Ford Mustang , netting 19,972 sales through March compared to the Mustang’s 15,419. Both cars handily outsold the Dodge Challenger , which itself is selling fairly well with 9,742 units through the same period. This is the second year running (well, so far this year at least) that the Camaro has managed stronger sales figures than the Mustang, having overtaken it last year for the first time since 1985. GM figures the Camaro’s success could be attributable to its relative newness in the pony car stable, having debuted in 2009. The Mustang has only undergone slight changes to its outward appearance since its 2004 redesign, though it’s been kept well freshened in the engine bay. To help boost Camaro sales, Chevrolet says the V6 will get an 11-horsepower bump by this summer, taking the base Camaro to a total of 323 horsepower. With such a big sales head start, it seems unlikely the Camaro will be caught before the end of the year, despite Ford’s revised powertrain options for 2011 and the limited-production Mustang Boss 302 hitting dealerships soon. Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL [Source: The Detroit Free Press ] Chevrolet Camaro sales still outpacing rival Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read
2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio released in U.S. "just in time for spring"
April 14, 2011 by paramopgi · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Convertible , Chrysler , Fiat 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio – Click above for high-res image gallery Good news, lovers of open-air motoring: Fiat has just announced that its diminutive little 500 Cabrio will be hitting the U.S. market “just in time for spring” as a 2012 model. That’s a little nebulous, mind you, as the announcement doesn’t specifically say when we should expect the droptop 500c to actually hit a dealership near you. In any case, the North American 500 Cabrio mimics its European cousin with an electrically powered fabric roof that can be opened while driving at any speed up to 60 miles per hour. Unlike most convertibles, the 500 Cabrio keeps its fully-framed side windows, as the top slides back and forth on roof rails instead of folding down into a pile at the rear of the car. Fiat will offer the 500 Cabrio with three different soft top colors, 14 exterior colors and 12 combinations of interior colors and fabrics. Customization is a good thing, no? We’ll get our first live impressions of the 500c at the New York Auto Show next week. Hit the jump for the official press release and be sure to check out some fun-in-the-sun motoring in our high-res image gallery below. Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500c [Source: Fiat] Continue reading 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio released in U.S. “just in time for spring” 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio released in U.S. “just in time for spring” originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
