Chrysler Confirms All New 300 and Dodge Charger

Added to the Muscle Cars section by Carblogger

<!– @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } –>

Chrysler LLC has been battered by high fuel prices this year, seeing sales plunge by 25% compared to 2007. This drop off isn’t unique to Chrysler as the entire automotive industry is suffering, but for a company who relies on the North American marketplace for about 90% of its business, the downturn has been especially difficult to swallow.

Despite the ongoing bad news, Chrysler says that they have a number of cars in the pipeline that will help the automaker update its fleet and regain its position once the economy rebounds as expected by early 2010. Leading the way is its two largest cars – the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger – vehicles that will play an important role in Chrysler’s long term success.

Though the market for big cars is way down, Chrysler expects that it will soon recover, perhaps just in time as it rolls out the next generation of the 300 and Charger in 2010. At first glance, not a whole lot will be different about the cars as the automaker is loathe to tamper styling success. Instead, vast improvements to interior quality, improved suspension, and a more economical powertrain combination will set these cars apart.

Chrysler won’t be relying on just two cars to fuel its rebound, planning as many as nine new or improved models to make their debut before the end of 2010. In addition to the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, other models expected include:

A compact car built by Nissan for Chrysler. Reportedly, the Dodge Hornet concept – a Scion-like vehicle – will appear in early 2010, built by Nissan at its Mexican plant. Electric cars – one, two, three. Recently, Chrysler showed off three pre-production electric models, two of which are based on existing platforms: the Jeep Wrangler and the Dodge Caravan. The third model – a Dodge sports car – is a collaboration with Lotus and is likely to be the first of the three to make it to production. Similar to the Tesla Roadster, the Dodge EV will have an all-electric range of 150 to 200 miles and undercut the Roadster’s $98,000 price tag. Hybrid cars – Chrysler was late to the hybrid game, having just recently launched hybrid versions of its large SUVs, the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango. But, Chrysler plans to aggressively catch up and should have a hybridized version of its popular Dodge Ram pickup truck ready by 2010. Other hybrid models are being explored including for their popular minivans. Nissan again – If you don’t see a pattern yet, you soon will. Chrysler is once again tapping Nissan to build a car for it, this time a midsize model at one of Nissan’s Tennessee plants. This hook up will allow Chrysler to save money on product planning while allowing Nissan to maximize plant capacity.

Beyond 2010, Chrysler’s fortunes may rely on additional business partnerships, perhaps signaling that the company will become the third leg on the Renault-Nissan stool. Long term, the automaker will need to rely on outside partnerships to ensure its success, a move that can be achieved by expanding current business relationships.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary, North Carolina. Matt provides magazine, web content, and article writing services to clients all over the world serving the automotive, human interest, and business communities. Matthew Keegan | Musings is his personal weblog.


Ferrari

Added to the Supercars section by Carblogger

This Car Ferrari was founded by Scuderia Ferrari.the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street legal vehicles in 1947 as Ferrari S.p.A.. Ferrari’s cars are among the most desirable of vehicles to own and drive, and are one of the ultimate status symbols of wealth in the world. Throughout its history, the company has been noted for its continued participation in racing, especially in Formula One, where it has largely enjoyed great success, especially during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, late 1990s, and 2000s.1929–1946

Enzo Ferrari never intended to produce road cars when he formed Scuderia Ferrari in 1929 as a sponsor for amateur drivers headquartered in Modena. Ferrari prepared and successfully raced various drivers in Alfa Romeo cars until 1938, when he was officially hired by Alfa as head of their racing department.

In 1940, Alfa Romeo was absorbed by the Fascist government of Benito Mussolini as part of the Axis Powers’ war effort. Enzo Ferrari’s division was small enough to be unaffected by this. Because he was prohibited by contract from racing for four years, the Scuderia briefly became Auto Avio Costruzioni Ferrari, which ostensibly produced machine tools and aircraft accessories. Also known as SEFAC (Scuderia Enzo Ferrari Auto Corse), Ferrari did in fact produce one race car, the Tipo 815, in the non-competition period; it was thus the first actual Ferrari car (it debuted at the 1940 Mille Miglia), but due to World War II it saw little competition. In 1943 the Ferrari factory moved to Maranello, where it has remained ever since. The factory was bombed by the Allies in 1944 and rebuilt in 1946, with the war ended and the Mussolini government overthrown, to include a works for road car production. Right up to Il Commendatore’s death, this would remain little more than a source of funding for his first love, racing.

“Scuderia Ferrari” literally means “Ferrari Stable”; the name is figuratively translated as “Team Ferrari”. (It is correctly pronounced “skoo deh REE ah”.)

shelved plans for an IPO because Fiat Auto has now returned to profitability, thus removing pressure from the group.Enzo Ferrari’s true passion, despite his extensive road car business, was always auto racing. His Scuderia started as an independent sponsor for drivers in various cars, but soon became the Alfa Romeo in-house racing team. After Ferrari’s departure from Alfa, he began to design and produce cars of his own; the Ferrari team first appeared on the European Grand Prix scene after the end of World War II.

In 1949, Luigi Chinetti drove a Model 166M to Ferrari’s first win in motorsports, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Chinetti drove for all except twenty minutes of the Grand Prix race. He soon became the American dealer for Ferraris and established the North American Racing Team, Ferrari’s official racing arm. The dealership is reported to have kept the company in business through sales to wealthy Americans, such as Briggs Cunningham, who bought the first one Chinetti sold through the new dealership.

The Scuderia joined the Formula One World Championship in the first year of its existence, 1950. José Froilán González gave the team its first victory at the 1951 British Grand Prix.

Alberto Ascari gave Ferrari its first Drivers Championship a year later. Ferrari is the oldest team left in the championship, not to mention the most successful: the team holds nearly every Formula One record. As of 2005, the team’s records include fourteen World Drivers Championship titles (1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004), fourteen World Constructors Championship titles (1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004), 179 Grand Prix victories, 3,445 and a half points, 544 podium finishes, 174 pole positions, 11,182 laps led, and 180 fastest laps in 1,622 Grands Prix contested.

Notable Ferrari drivers include Tazio Nuvolari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Luigi Chinetti, Alberto Ascari, Wolfgang von Trips, Phil Hill, Olivier Gendebien, Mike Hawthorn, Peter Collins, John Surtees, Jacky Ickx, Mario Andretti, Niki Lauda, Carlos Reutemann, Jody Scheckter, Gilles Villeneuve, Didier Pironi, Michele Alboreto, Gerhard Berger, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Jean Alesi,Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barrichello, Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkonen, and Felipe Massa.

The Scuderia Ferrari drivers for the 2006 F1 season were Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa. At the end of the 2006 season the team courted controversy by continuing to allow Marlboro to sponsor them after they, along with the other F1 teams, made a promise to end sponsorship deals with tobacco manufacturers. A five year deal worth a reported $500 million was agreed.[citation needed]

The drivers for 2007 are Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen.

Ferrari road car timeline, 1947-1967 v • d • e Next ->

Type 1940s 1950s 1960s

7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Sports 125

S 166

S 195

S 212

Exp 225

S 250

MM 250

Monza 250 GT

Tour de France 250 GT

SWB 250 GTO

159

S 250

S 250

Export

GT 166

Inter 195

Inter 212

Inter 250

Europa 250 GT

Europa 250 GT

Boano 250 GT

Ellena 250 GT

Coupe/Spider 250 GT

Lusso 275 GTB 275 GTB/4

2+2 250 GT

2+2/GTE 330 GT 365 GT

America 340

America 375

America/MM 410

Superamerica 400

Superamerica 500

Superfast 365

California

Type 1960s 1970 1980s 1990s 2000s

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

FR GT America 330 365 365 GTB/4 Daytona 550 575M 599

250 275

2+2 250GT 330GT 365GT GTC/4 GT4 400 400i 412 456 GT 456M GT 612

RMR V6/V8 Dino 206 Dino 246 308i 308qv 328 348 360 F430

208 F355

2+2 Dino GT4 Mondial 8 Mondial 3.2 Mondial T

flat-12 316BB 512BB BBi Testarossa 512TR F512M

Supercar 250 GTO 250 LM 288 GTO F40 F50 F50 GT Enzo FXX

The first Ferrari road car was the 1947 125 S, powered by a 1.5 L V12 engine; Enzo reluctantly built and sold his automobiles to fund the Scuderia. While his beautiful and fast cars quickly gained a reputation for excellence, Enzo maintained a famous distaste for his customers, most of whom he felt were buying his cars for the prestige and not the performance. Ferrari road cars, noted for magnificent styling by design houses like Pininfarina, have long been one of the ultimate accessories for the rich. Other design houses that have done work for Ferrari over the years include Scaglietti, Bertone, Touring, Ghia, and Vignale.

In 2005, four universities were granted the opportunity to design the next vehicle line-up for Ferrari in a student competition named ‘Ferrari Concepts of the Myth’. Twenty winners were allowed to show off their concepts in a ¼ scale model and present their work to the board at Ferrari to allow for three out right winners to have the chance to work in the Ferrari design studio at Maranello.

As of 2007, the Fiat Group owns 85% of Ferrari, Mubadala 5%, and Enzo’s son Piero 10%. Fiat has shelved plans for an IPO because Fiat Auto has now returned to profitability, thus removing pressure from the group.


Buying A Used Ford Mustang

Added to the Muscle Cars section by Carblogger

The Ford Mustang is one of the most popular sports cars in America, with that comes a high demand for used Mustangs. Buying a new Mustang is as easy as choosing your options and driving off, however purchasing a used Mustang requires a great deal of care. Choosing the wrong car could cost you thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs.

As with any sports car, Ford Mustangs are often driven hard. With abuse comes the need for maintenance. If proper maintenance is not followed, your new ponycar will likely become a money pit. Fear not, tips for finding potential problems are just a couple paragraphs away.

Another cause for concern is the installation of aftermarket parts. Many Mustang owners install performance parts, often times performed by owners inexperienced in the field of automotive repair. These aftermarket parts may not only be hard on other vehicle parts, but they may also void the factory warranty.

Before purchasing your Mustang, be certain to inspect the vehicle thoroughly – especially the drivetrain. If you’re not qualified to properly diagnose engine, transmission, rearend, or other potential problems you should take the vehicle to a qualified mechanic. You don’t want to have a wore out rear end, it’s no fun especially when your friends find out.

Some of the common symptoms of an abused Mustang include rattles and squeeks in the suspension, grinding gears in a 5 speed, and a noisy engine or drivetrain. Be certain to check for tire tread, especially the rear tires. Mustang owners like to do hellacious burnouts with no respect to the tire manufacturers hard work.

Good luck with your Mustang purchase. These ponycars can be fast and reliable with proper care. Be certain you’re getting the value and performance per dollar you expect and make an educated buying decision.

Modded Mustangs is an authority in the Ford Mustang industry. Questions about this and other Mustang related articles can be asked in their Mustang forums.


Porsche Boxster Spyder

Added to the Sports Cars section by Carblogger
Manufacturer: Porsche
Body Style: 2 seat open
Layout: Rear engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: 3400cc flat 6
Power: 315bhp @ 7200rpm
Torque: 273 lb/ft @ 4750rpm
0-60: 4.8 seconds
Top Speed: 166mph
Comments:
Now the new Porsche Boxster Spyder is a bit of a problem for me. I like it, but I can’t have one. Mainly because I live in the UK, but more on that shortly. The car is based on the current Porsche Boxster S with some modest power and torque hikes. The main thing is though that Porsche have put the Boxster on a strict diet which has resulted in a 80kg saving. Various techniques have been used to save weight. For example air conditioning and sounds are now both optional extras. Gone also is the carpet from the transmission tunnel which is now just painted the same colour as the body. The Boxster S seats have gone in favour of lighter buckets which are none the less more supportive. The biggest thing to go though is the electric folding roof. You now only get a clip on affair which is only designed to be a short term rain cover. It’s no good for fast driving. That’s why the top speed is a little less than that of the standard Boxster S, because you have to take the roof off which increases drag. And that’s the main reason why the Porsche Boxster Spyder doesn’t work for me. Living in the UK means the roof will have to be on all the time.
Merchandise:
Porsche Boxster 1:18 Scale Model | Porsche Boxster Framed Art Print | Wallpaper

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Added to the Coupes, Muscle Cars section by Carblogger
Manufacturer: Ford
Body Style: Coupe
Layout: Front engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: 5411cc 32v Supercharged V8
Power: 540bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 510 lb/ft @ 4500rpm
0-60: 4.5 seconds
Top Speed: 155mph
Comments:
The problem with the Shelby GT500 Mustang if you are a Brit is that it is only available in the UK as a grey import. It is an absolutely stunning car to behold and is a fitting descendant of the classic Mustangs of the 1960’s and 1970’s and at $46k in the United States its also a bargain. Over 500 horse power for less than £30k? Yes please. But that’s where the problem is with the grey import bit. By the time you get one shipped over here, you won’t have paid £28k, you will have paid closer to £47k. At that price it starts to look a bit dodgy though. The interior is utilitarian at best and it still has a live rear axle making for an entertaining drive at least, but don’t try and make one go around a corner too fast. It makes more sense to spend your money on a BMW M3 which is a vastly superior car. It doesn’t quite have the road presence of the Ford though, and to be honest if I had £50k knocking about that I could spend on a car that I would look at more than drive, then I would buy one.
Merchandise:
Mustang 1:18 Scale Model | Mustang Poster | Mustang Canvas Print

BMW M3 GTS

Added to the Coupes section by Carblogger
Manufacturer: BMW
Body Style: Coupe
Layout: Front engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: 4400cc 32v V8
Power: 444bhp
Torque: TBC
0-60: 4.3 seconds
Top Speed: 155mph
Comments:
After announcing that they were going to go ahead with the X5 and X6 M cars everyone concluded that M division had finally lost the plot, especially after last year stating that there was no reason to make a new CSL, as there was no demand. However, M Division have rescued thier rep with this baby. It’s not a CSL so they weren’t lying last year, it’s a GTS, which is better. This is a true race car for the street (only if you order it with the optional street pack option). It looks the business too. It will be delivered to the first few customers in Germany around May 2010 and they will be paying somewhere in the region of £105k for it. They will get a very exclusive car for their money though. There are only plans to build 100.
Merchandise:
BMW M3 1:18 Scale Model | BMW M3 Poster | BMW M3 Canvas Print

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Added to the Coupes, Hatchbacks section by Carblogger
Manufacturer: Volkswagen
Body Style: 3dr Hatchback / Coupe
Layout: Front engine, front wheel drive
Engine: 1984cc 4cyl
Power: 265bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 258lb ft @ 2500 rpm
0-60: 5.8 seconds (DSG Gearbox)
Top Speed: 155mph
Comments:
At last the hot hatch is back! Even though VW call this a coupe, its still the 3 door hatchback that is a Golf GTi in a dinner jacket. This is also the first VW hot hatch (sorry, I can’t stop calling it that) that drives and feels like the car the numbers above suggest. On top of a limited top end of 155mph and a 0-60 sprint of less than 6 seconds, you can still get 35mpg out of this little beauty. At £29k you might think it sounds a bit pricey but to be honest, it’s worth it.

Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

Added to the Supercars section by Carblogger
Manufacturer: Mercedes Benz AMG
Body Style: Coupe
Layout: Front engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: 5980cc 36v V12
Power: 670hp @ 5400rpm
Torque: 738lb ft @ 2200 rpm
0-60: 3.9 seconds
Top Speed: 199mph (limited)
Comments:
Right, well to be honest, I think this car is a little bit bonkers and will undoubtedly be bought by people who think the word recession only applies to people with less digits in their bank balances than they have brain cells. Yes it will do 199mph (and lets face it, if you remove the electronic limiter it will probably do a hell of a lot more), and it will get you to that point quite rapidly as well. However, there are a lot of things on my list of must haves that would have to be bought before I could fork out £250k on a Mercedes. How about a Ferrari 458 Italia? And with the £90k you have left in your pocket, you could build a nice garage for it. Complete with an ensuite bathroom.
Merchandise:
AMG SL65 Black 1:18 Scale Model | AMG CLK Black Poster

Ferrari 458 Italia

Added to the Supercars section by Carblogger
Manufacturer: Ferrari S.p.A.
Body Style: Coupe
Layout: Front engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: 4499cc V8
Power: 562bhp @ 9000rpm
Torque: 398lb ft @ 6000 rpm
0-60: 3.4 seconds
Top Speed: 202mph
Comments:
Onlookers have relatively recently declared that the replacement for the truly superb Ferrari F430 would likely be the last of the ‘normal’ Ferraris. I’m not so sure. Yes, Ferrari have taken a leap forward in performance, engineering and looks with the Ferrari 458 Italia, but to be honest its not that big a leap. I think there is probably still more that can be squeezed out of the familiar mid engined rear wheel drive layout before Ferrari have to get really radical.

Having said all that, the new Ferrari 458 Italia seems to have taken a big enough leap to make the Lamborghini Gallardo, which after all is its main rival, look a little…. dated.

Merchandise:
Ferrari 458 Italia 1:18 Scale Model | Ferrari 458 Italia Poster | Ferrari 458 Italia Canvas Print

zinwave Wordpress Theme