2008 Jeep Liberty
Well, this should have been expected...Dodge gets the Liberty platform to develop the Nitro...so why wouldn't the next Liberty take the platform back from Dodge and give us a new Liberty that looks pretty much like a Jeep-ified Nitro. Or maybe it is just the offspring of a Nitro and a Jeep Commander.
Unique to the Liberty, besides some styling details, is what Jeep is calling the 'Sky Slider' roof. Not a conventional big sunroof since Jeep's is fabric, covers from the front seat almost to the hatch, and can be opened from the front or rear and any combination of the two.
Retained are the independent front suspension that had Jeep faithful howling when the original Liberty came out (to replace the XJ Cherokee), prompting the name change in the North American market (the Liberty still goes by Cherokee in Europe). However, we now get a new 5-link rear suspension (sounds like an independent arrangement to me)...I can just imagine the hate-mail Jeep will get now.
It appears that Jeep's product planners hear the faithful screaming about 'not a real Jeep' and think that means it isn't square enough, needs a fabric roof (how very Wrangler), and needs a snappy press release touting the heritage of Jeep...it's a shame they don't understand their own ad copy.
Unique to the Liberty, besides some styling details, is what Jeep is calling the 'Sky Slider' roof. Not a conventional big sunroof since Jeep's is fabric, covers from the front seat almost to the hatch, and can be opened from the front or rear and any combination of the two.Retained are the independent front suspension that had Jeep faithful howling when the original Liberty came out (to replace the XJ Cherokee), prompting the name change in the North American market (the Liberty still goes by Cherokee in Europe). However, we now get a new 5-link rear suspension (sounds like an independent arrangement to me)...I can just imagine the hate-mail Jeep will get now.
It appears that Jeep's product planners hear the faithful screaming about 'not a real Jeep' and think that means it isn't square enough, needs a fabric roof (how very Wrangler), and needs a snappy press release touting the heritage of Jeep...it's a shame they don't understand their own ad copy.
More pics of the 2008 Subaru WRX
As we get closer to the New York Auto Show, we are getting more details of products that will debut. Today we have the first official pictures of the new Subaru Impreza sedan as well as better pictures of the wagon replacement/hatch and the interior.
Unlike some of the pictures we saw earlier, that were scans from the latest issue of Motor Trend, these pics show the hatch in a better light. We're still a bit iff-y on the front-end (so you can expect that Subaru is already hard at work at a better look for the 2010 model since they are renown for their Impreza freshenings on pretty much that schedule anyway.Powertrain details are also out, and it appears that we'll have to wait for a year or two to see serious performance upgrades for the standard WRX. The 2008 is going to keep the standard 2.5l turbo, flat-four with the same power output (though the rpm for both the horsepower and torque peak are both a touch lower now).
It will be interesting to see how competitive the new Impreza will be with the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Evo X and, assuming the Impreza is not class-leading, how long it will take Subaru to adjust.More details later this week after the debut.
Preview - 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
As yet another preview of what was to be a New York Auto Show debut - Jeep has shown some details of the 2008 refreshed Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Of note are the updated headlights (now curved at the top and the bottom), availability of the new SIRIUS Backseat TV and MyGiG entertainment systems, updated interior styling, and the addition of the 3.0l common-rail diesel V-6 and an updated 4.7l V-8 with additional power and flex-fuel capability.
Another interesting detail is that a large portion of the lower front fascia (including the fog lights) is removable for better approach angles when off-roading.
More details closer to the official NY debut.
Of note are the updated headlights (now curved at the top and the bottom), availability of the new SIRIUS Backseat TV and MyGiG entertainment systems, updated interior styling, and the addition of the 3.0l common-rail diesel V-6 and an updated 4.7l V-8 with additional power and flex-fuel capability.Another interesting detail is that a large portion of the lower front fascia (including the fog lights) is removable for better approach angles when off-roading.
More details closer to the official NY debut.
Ford Foose F-150 - a Lightning by any other name...
Ford's SVT group had a long run of very impressive machines - from the Mustang Cobra through the Contour and Focus SVT models.
Of particular fame was the high-performance F-150 dubbed the Lightning.
However, Ford has fallen on hard times and one of the first things to get dialed back was the SVT programs. Now, the only product left is the Mustang GT500, which is more a vehicle to carry the Shelby name than SVT.
Anther casualty was the hi-po F-150...until now.
Ford has entered into a partnership with Chip Foose and the first product of this relationship is the F-150 Foose Edition. Packing a 450hp supercharged 5.4l V-8 (similar to the 500hp version in the GT500 Mustang) - this is the most powerful half-ton F-series ever.
Other changes include customer grill-work, lowered suspension, and 22" wheels w/ Z-rated rubber.
Expect this to be a sign (along with the relationship with Shelby) of how Ford plans to market SVT-type vehicles in the future. Give customers the extra enticement of a famous name label on the special edition products to give them more cache then SVT was able to provide alone.
Of particular fame was the high-performance F-150 dubbed the Lightning.
However, Ford has fallen on hard times and one of the first things to get dialed back was the SVT programs. Now, the only product left is the Mustang GT500, which is more a vehicle to carry the Shelby name than SVT.
Anther casualty was the hi-po F-150...until now.Ford has entered into a partnership with Chip Foose and the first product of this relationship is the F-150 Foose Edition. Packing a 450hp supercharged 5.4l V-8 (similar to the 500hp version in the GT500 Mustang) - this is the most powerful half-ton F-series ever.
Other changes include customer grill-work, lowered suspension, and 22" wheels w/ Z-rated rubber.
Expect this to be a sign (along with the relationship with Shelby) of how Ford plans to market SVT-type vehicles in the future. Give customers the extra enticement of a famous name label on the special edition products to give them more cache then SVT was able to provide alone.
Holy Crap! - Shelby to unveil 540hp Mustang at New York
Back in the day, Carol Shelby was responsible for some pretty hot Mustangs. Now, he's lending his name again to even more hot Mustangs such as the Shelby GT-H (a special GT for Hertz), Shelby GT, and the GT500 coupe and convertible.
If you thought the Shelby GT500 with its 500hp was an impressive ride - check this out.
The GT500KR (KR = King of the Road and hearkens back to the classic GT500KR of 40 years ago) is a limited production (only 1000 will be built), coupe only, with an even higher performance version of the 5.4l supercharged V-8 from the standard GT500. In this iteration, we get 540hp and 510lb*ft of torque.
Other special touches include:
Recalibrated suspension, underhood cross brace, carbon composite hood with scoops paterned after the original GT500KR, 20" Shelby designed wheels for the concept (18" of the same design for the production KR), front brake cooling ducts, and 40th anniversary badging all over.
Expect MSRP's over 50k with actual transaction prices quite a bit higher.
If you thought the Shelby GT500 with its 500hp was an impressive ride - check this out.The GT500KR (KR = King of the Road and hearkens back to the classic GT500KR of 40 years ago) is a limited production (only 1000 will be built), coupe only, with an even higher performance version of the 5.4l supercharged V-8 from the standard GT500. In this iteration, we get 540hp and 510lb*ft of torque.
Other special touches include:
Recalibrated suspension, underhood cross brace, carbon composite hood with scoops paterned after the original GT500KR, 20" Shelby designed wheels for the concept (18" of the same design for the production KR), front brake cooling ducts, and 40th anniversary badging all over.
Expect MSRP's over 50k with actual transaction prices quite a bit higher.
Chrysler and Sirius to offer back-seat TV system
Chrysler and SIRIUS announced today the exclusive availability of SIRIUS Backseat TV™ programming in 2008 Chrysler Group vehicles starting with the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan minivans.
The initial offering will be 3 channels of live, family TV programming from Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network delivered directly to the vehicle.
The system will later be made available in the 2008 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The system will carry an MSRP of $470, which includes the first year of service, when packaged with Chrysler Group’s Rear Seat Entertainment System and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. After the first year, SIRIUS Backseat TV is available for $7 per month when packaged with SIRIUS Satellite Radio ($12.95 per month).
The initial offering will be 3 channels of live, family TV programming from Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network delivered directly to the vehicle.
The system will later be made available in the 2008 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The system will carry an MSRP of $470, which includes the first year of service, when packaged with Chrysler Group’s Rear Seat Entertainment System and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. After the first year, SIRIUS Backseat TV is available for $7 per month when packaged with SIRIUS Satellite Radio ($12.95 per month).
Pictures of the Infiniti EX concept
Infiniti is readying a new crossover to compete against the likes of the BMW X3.
This 'concept' that they call the EX is looking quite ready for production and is expected to hit showrooms by the end of the year.
Oddly, the EX is practically the same size as Infinti's current FX crossover, but with better packaging. It will be interesting to see if this V-6 crossover means the FX is not long for this world or that it will be redesigned soon to make room for the new EX.
Expect more details next week after the official unveiling.
This 'concept' that they call the EX is looking quite ready for production and is expected to hit showrooms by the end of the year.Oddly, the EX is practically the same size as Infinti's current FX crossover, but with better packaging. It will be interesting to see if this V-6 crossover means the FX is not long for this world or that it will be redesigned soon to make room for the new EX.
Expect more details next week after the official unveiling.
Chevy to show 3 microcar concepts in New York
Update: April 4, 2007 - Chevy has unveiled all three microcars and opened voting at vote4chevrolet.com. Check out the new post with pictures!
Today, Chevy announced that they will have a trio of microcar concepts to show off at the New York Auto Show.
They have teased us with a rendering of the Trax concept, designed, along with the other two (the Groove and Beat) at GM's design center in Incheon, South Korea. The Trax packs a 1.0 litre gas engine and is aimed (as most micros are) at urban drivers.
GM will be allowing show goers to vote on their favorite at vote4chevrolet.com starting on April 4th.
It looks like GM may be taking the threat of the DaimlerChrysler Smart ForTwo seriously and is preparing their own competing product - and using the web site to gauge which concept is closest to the mark.
Today, Chevy announced that they will have a trio of microcar concepts to show off at the New York Auto Show.
They have teased us with a rendering of the Trax concept, designed, along with the other two (the Groove and Beat) at GM's design center in Incheon, South Korea. The Trax packs a 1.0 litre gas engine and is aimed (as most micros are) at urban drivers.GM will be allowing show goers to vote on their favorite at vote4chevrolet.com starting on April 4th.
It looks like GM may be taking the threat of the DaimlerChrysler Smart ForTwo seriously and is preparing their own competing product - and using the web site to gauge which concept is closest to the mark.