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 [...]
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
2012 Dodge Journey also gets $3,000 price slash
September 1, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Buying , Etc. , Crossover , Dodge The Jeep Grand Cherokee isn’t the only Chrysler model receiving a price cut next year, as the 2012 Dodge Journey is set to get significantly less expensive, as well. Chrysler has cut the price on the people-mover by $3,250 starting next year. That puts the vehicle’s MSRP at $18,995 before the $750 delivery fee is tacked onto the bottom line. The American Value Package offers a five-seat configuration for that stack of cash along with a push-button ignition, satellite radio, seven air bags and a touch-screen media interface. Unfortunately, AVP trim is only available with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic. The excellent 3.6-liter V6 is still available on other models, however. Those who need a little extra space can add a third row for an extra $1,000. Even so, that still gives the Journey the honor of being the least-expensive seven-passenger vehicle on the American market at the moment. While we’re glad to see Dodge cutting its prices, we’re more ecstatic about the news that the automaker has finally ditched its confusing tangle of trim monikers for a slightly more comprehensible system. Moving forward, all Dodge models will fall under AVP, SE, SXT, Crew and R/T designations. Hit the jump to check the full press blast. Continue reading 2012 Dodge Journey also gets $3,000 price slash 2012 Dodge Journey also gets $3,000 price slash originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chrysler to end Ram Dakota production on Tuesday
August 21, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Truck , Hirings/Firings/Layoffs , Plants/Manufacturing , Work , Dodge Chrysler is officially killing the 2011 Ram Dakota this week, which the UAW fears may lead to nearly 150 hourly positions getting the chop. The move has already spelled the end for 39 temporary positions at Chrysler’s Warren Truck Plant. Chrysler brass say they still haven’t figured out who’s getting cut, but if says if there are layoffs, the workers would likely be reassigned to another operation. According to Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, the Dakota will likely be replaced with a ” lifestyle vehicle. ” Chrysler sold a scant 13,000 Dakotas last year. By contrast, Dodge moved 177,000 of the midsize pickups in 2000. Chrysler to end Ram Dakota production on Tuesday originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee base price plummets by over $3,000
August 16, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Buying , SUV , Jeep If you’ve just purchased a new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee , you have our sincere congratulations, but you also might not want to read this post any further. The 2012 Grand Cherokee, which goes on sale next month, will reportedly benefit from a $3,220 price decrease versus the 2011 model. This means that the base Laredo trim level with two-wheel drive will now carry an MSRP of $26,995. It also means that the resale value of your 2011 model has likely just taken a pretty severe whack. Jeep introduced the all-new Grand Cherokee for the 2011 model year, and thus, only minor changes have been made for the 2012 model. The 5.7-liter V8 is now mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, rather than the aging five-speed, and models equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will now come with electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering. These enhancements are good for very minor increases in fuel economy – likely no more than a single mpg here or there. The folks at Kicking Tires point out that the lower base price may be a reflection of higher price points for option packages and the removal of once-standard equipment. For example, the 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo came standard with an eight-way power seat, whereas the 2012 model does not. What’s more, the Laredo’s leather seating package now costs a whopping $5,300 instead of $4,000. Elsewhere in the Chrysler lineup, the 2012 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200 receive price decreases of $250, and the 2012 Dodge Journey costs a substantial $1,450 less than the 2011 model. 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee base price plummets by over $3,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Dodge Omni GLH ad brings out the child in us all
August 16, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Classics , Performance , Marketing/Advertising , Videos , Hatchback , Dodge The name Shelby is synonymous with high performance. The name Omni is more often recalled as a small hatchback offered by Dodge in the 1980s, and while it was practical and efficient, nobody ever thought of the little runabout as anything other than basic transportation. A funny thing happened when Chrysler got the bright idea to combine Shelby and Omni into one package, though: an iconic hot hatch was born. And darn if they didn’t come up with one of the quickest production cars in America… On second thought, “iconic” may be too lofty a word for the Dodge Omni GLH and, a few modifications later, its slightly quicker GLHS sibling. “Memorable,” “noteworthy” and, above all else, “fun,” on the other hand, apply perfectly. And speaking of memorable, have a look at the glorious commercial after the break , where the advertising geniuses combined an all-black Shelby Omni with a voiceover that sounds a heck of a lot like Billy Dee Williams. Oh, and in case you were wondering, GLH stands for Goes Like Hell. GLHS stands for Goes Like Hell Some More, or so the legend goes. Continue reading Dodge Omni GLH ad brings out the child in us all Dodge Omni GLH ad brings out the child in us all originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
