Archive for the 'Concept cars' Category
Posted on January 25th, 2012 • by Bill Cawthon
At the Houston Auto Show, Jeep introduced a new, production-intent concept “stealth” version of the Grand Cherokee. Based on the Laredo X package the as-yet-unnamed concept adds a grille surround in Black, and mesh grille texture in Platinum Chrome. A Platinum Chrome lower fascia appliqué completes the unique front-end appearance. Black headlamp bezels and a Black liftgate light-bar continues the “blacked-out” theme throughout the vehicle’s exterior. The concept rides on 20-inch tires that surround one-of-a-kind Black-gloss aluminum wheels for Jeep.
Based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X package, the concept’s interior includes standard leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a nine-speaker sound system with a 506-watt amp and subwoofer, iPod/MP3 connectivity, Parkview rear back-up camera, ParkSense rear-park assist system, Keyless Enter-N-Go, Chrysler Group’s Uconnect hands-free communications system, and more than 50 advanced safety and security features.
The vehicle on display in Houston is a Brilliant Black 4×4 model; a Deep Cherry Red 4×4 version will be on display tomorrow at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show.
At the same time the Grand Cherokee was introduced, Jeep announced a contest to name the new trim package. Starting today, qualified consumers can enter their favorite name at Jeep.com/namemyride or via mobile at m.jeep.com/namemyride.
Jeep will compile entries and narrow them down to three favored choices. Consumers will then have the opportunity to vote online for the winning name, to be announced in May. The person who submits the chosen, official vehicle name will have a chance to win a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Visit Jeep.com/namemyride for more information and complete contest rules
As the vehicle was being publicly displayed for the first time, Jeep also announced that it has created an online contest for consumers to name the new production-intent Grand Cherokee concept. The person who chooses the winning name will have an opportunity to win a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
“Highlighted by a unique platinum-chrome front-end appearance and distinctive black-gloss 20-inch wheels and exterior treatments, our new Grand Cherokee concept provides a completely new look – one that is edgy and aggressive, and certainly different than any Grand Cherokee on the road today,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Jeep enthusiasts have always appreciated limited-edition models and the ability to customize their vehicles. This new Grand Cherokee comes with a unique, ‘factory-customized’ stealth appearance directly from Jeep, and is certain to attract interest from an array of potential customers.
“We plan to garner feedback from consumers at the Houston Auto Show, and via our online Jeep ‘Name My Ride’ contest,” Manley added. “If the level of excitement is what we anticipate, this new Grand Cherokee will be in Jeep showrooms this spring.”
Posted on January 9th, 2012 • by David Zatz
Chrysler has quietly launched a new concept minivan, the Chrysler 700C, at the Detroit Auto Show. For photography, see our new Chrysler 700C concept car page.
The new van may be exploring future directions for a Chrysler minivan or crossover, along with other concepts. It has a much more sculptured look than current vans.
Posted on January 2nd, 2012 • by David Zatz
Mopar is launching two new cars, one to be available at dealerships “in 2012,” the other simply a showcase for Mopar parts which can be purchased separately.
Dodge Charger Redline
Delivering performance and an even more aggressive look, the 2012 Dodge Charger Redline is a 426 HEMI®-powered showcase of new Mopar® performance kits that will arrive later this year. The Dodge Charger Redline vehicle with all three Mopar performance stage kits will debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.
Stage I: Aero and trim treatments
Based on the 2012 Dodge Charger R/T, Mopar’s Stage I modifications include a Mopar carbon fiber chin spoiler; and, matching the Redline Tri-coat paint, a grille surround with black signature “crosshair” insert. 20 x 8-inch black Mopar wheels have polished accents. Carbon fiber door scoops include heritage “R/T” badging. A three-piece Mopar carbon fiber rear spoiler adds downforce and provides a more dynamic look, while a vinyl roof graphic in matte black is there just for show.
The Dodge Charger Redline’s interior has a Mopar aluminum shift bezel and aluminum instrument panel bezel with Redline perimeter accent. Mopar pedal covers are made from stainless steel and have a rubberized pattern for improved traction.
Stage II: Mopar Bolt-on Performance Parts Deliver Improved Power, Handling and Braking
Increasing power from the Dodge Charger Redline’s HEMI® V-8 engine, Mopar’s cat-back performance exhaust system delivers a menacing “throaty” sound. Under the hood, a front-tower cross-brace and front tower brace caps provide increased structural stability for improved handling dynamics. For ultimate braking capabilty, high-performance Mopar brake linings resist fade during hard use.
Stage III: Mopar’s 426 HEMI V-8 engine, with 590 Horsepower
Delivering 220 more horsepower than the 2012 Dodge Charger R/T, the Charger Redline features the new high-output version of the powerful and lightweight Gen III 426 HEMI V-8 crate engine (for race/off-road use only).
The Dodge Charger Redline with 426 Hemi delivers 590 horsepower via a lightweight aluminum V-8 engine block that shaves more than 100 lbs. from the traditional cast-iron crate version. The new Gen III High Output 426 HEMI engine includes a stout, balanced lower reciprocating assembly with a forged-steel crankshaft (six-bolt mains are at 2, 3 and 4, and cross-bolted 4-bolt mains are at 1 and 5). H-beam style rods are made from forged steel and coupled to forged 11:1 compression ratio aluminum pistons. Included is a revised windage tray to increase oil dispersion and prevent oil aeration by the crankshaft.
The Gen III High Output 426 HEMI engine’s valvetrain starts with a more aggressive roller camshaft with .639 intake and .628 exhaust lift and cylinder heads that feature the latest designs for exceptional flow characteristics. To help stabilize the valvetrain at high engine rpm, tie bars are available.
Mopar cast-aluminum valve covers and billet fuel rails are also included in the Dodge Charger Redline’s Stage III performance kit.
Chrysler 200 Super S
The Chrysler 200 Super S by Mopar is a rolling showcase for the latest Mopar exterior parts that will be available for the 200 sedan in 2012.
For Stage One, Mopar’s modifications include a chin spoiler and satin chrome fog light trim and grille surround and mesh in the upper and lower grilles. The upper grille is gloss black with a recessed Chrysler wing badge. The car also has new side sills, satin chrome belt molding, black chrome “200” badges, gray or black 18-inch “S” alloy wheels, a new trunk lid spoiler, satin chrome light bar, and a matte black lower diffuser with attached exhaust openings.
Stage Two adds performance with a coil-over suspension, which also lowers the center of gravity for the vehicle, a cold-air intake, and cat-back exhaust.
Posted on September 28th, 2011 • by Bill Cawthon
Ohio Governor John Kasich is asking the governors of Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania to join in an initiative to replace each state’s fleet with vehicles fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG).
CNG-powered vehicles may have the lowest-emissions of any internal combustion, but Kasich has a different kind of green in mind when pitching the idea to his fellow Republican governors. Both Ohio and Pennsylvania have large natural gas deposits and developing them would bring jobs and income to the states. Michigan and Indiana also have natural gas resources within their borders.
By banding together, the four states have over 40,000 vehicles in their fleets and Kasich wants to leverage that number to persuade Detroit to produce natural gas-powered vehicles. Currently, Honda is the only manufacturer offering a CNG-fueled passenger car to consumers nationwide: it has sold them to fleet customers since 1998. Ram lists a CNG Hemi as an option on the 2500. GM offers CNG-powered vehicles to fleet customers. Ford offers a factory engine prep package to convert the Transit Connect minivan to run on either CNG or liquified natural gas (LNG). According to NGV America, a trade group promoting that includes Chrysler Group and Cummins among its members, there are roughly 112,000 CNG- and LNG-powered vehicles in the U.S., primarily transit buses and waste collection trucks. The four states’ fleets would provide a 35% boost to that number.
One of the advantages of natural gas is the fact North America has a lot of it: an estimated 2,174 trillion cubic feet. That’s 100 years of consumption at the current rate. If more natural-gas-powered vehicles were sold, it could cut our dependence on oil imported from the Middle East and Africa (the U.S. gets 58% of its crude and 60% of its imported petroleum from Canada and Latin America).
Natural gas is also cleaner than gasoline or diesel fuel with lower particulate emissions and reduced greenhouse gas output.
Chrysler says it plans to offer CNG-powered vehicles in 2017. Speaking at the 2011 CAR Management Briefing Seminars last month, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said CNG must be one of the technologies considered for future transportation needs: “…there is a substantial supply of Compressed Natural Gas here in the United States. CNG is eco-friendly, economical, and can be part of a readily available, technically proven solution to substantially reduce CO2 emissions.”
While hybrids and electric vehicles are the technology du jour, Marchionne has downplayed their importance in Chrysler Group’s plans. Ram CEO Fred Diaz has already said Chrysler doesn’t foresee producing the plug-in hybrid Rams currently being supplied to municipal and corporate fleets as part of a federally funded demonstration program. According to Diaz, “Truckers don’t want to buy hybrids.”
Chrysler does have some history with natural gas-powered vehicles: In 1993, the CNG-powered Dodge Ram Van and Wagon were the first vehicles certified as meeting California’s Low Emission Vehicle standard. A year later, the 1994 versions were the first vehicles certified as meeting the California Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle standard. A 1999 Dodge Charger Concept showcased a CNG storage system that offered increased range and trunk space and the 2001 Dodge PowerBox Concept featured a hybrid system that utilized a CNG-powered V6 combined with an electric motor.
CNG and LNG do have drawbacks: First and foremost is a lack of refueling locations. According to NGV America, there are about 1,000 CNG fueling stations in the U.S.; about half are open to the public. By contrast, there are an estimated 130,000 gasoline retailers. Government agencies and corporate fleets often have fueling depots but the infrastructure for widespread conversion isn’t there and probably won’t be there until the big energy and oil companies see big potential profits in putting it there.
Another downside is the fact an energy gallon equivalent of natural gas, whether compressed natural gas or liquid natural gas (LNG), contains less energy than a volumetric gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel. CNG needs to be kept at close to 4,000 pounds of pressure per square inch to provide a satisfactory driving range. LNG can help but requires special storage. Chrysler boasted that their CNG-powered concepts offered ranges of more than 300 miles, a distance almost any gasoline-powered vehicle can achieve with ease.
CNG vehicles are also more costly, though the penalty isn’t as steep as it is for a hybrid or electric vehicle, and the storage systems add weight and cut down on usable storage space.
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