Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Driving The 2012 Dodge Challenger


Here is an excellent view in to the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8, an incredible throwback from the 70's with the technology of today. Take a look at the inspiring video, wouldn't you love to take a drive in this beauty?

 

As our Ignition host and MT associate road test editor Carlos Lago points out, the Challenger is full of curb appeal and charisma. Even when surrounded by a potpourri of exotics in the main lot of the weekly Cars & Coffee gathering in Irvine, California, the muscular American stood out like few others. It has the same effect on you when you're behind the wheel. No matter who you are, you will feel like the coolest person alive in that supple yet supportive driver's seat. It's a feeling unlike any other. The various thumbs-up and looks of approval and/or jealousy you'll get from other drivers on the road only boost the effect. And then there's that awesome pistol-grip shifter. 
It is this ability to project coolness that allows you to ignore the Challenger's many flaws. It's thirsty, the interior is comfortable but bland, the navigation system old and low-resolution, the suspension floaty and disconnected, and at two-plus tons, it's simply fat. But none of that matters, because wherever you are and wherever you're going, you'll feel like you're just out for a Sunday cruise -- even if you're actually stuck on the freeway on a Monday morning.  
 The Challenger is something more than a car; you can see it in the way kids stare at it as you drive by, they look at it with the same way they look at an ice cream truck. You can see the childlike looks in the faces of adults that stare as this thing rolls by. It awakens something inside.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The 2013 Dodge Dart Has Wireless Charging


The 2013 Dodge Dart is not only the shining front-runner from Dodge, but it is also paving the way for the future of new cars. The 2013 Dart has the option to come with a wireless phone charger, making road trips even more enjoyable. No more cords, no more hassle.

Hop in your car, drop your cellphone in the center console, turn the ignition switch, drive off, and your phone or iPod will charge automatically — if it’s the new 2013 Dodge Dart. Parent Chrysler is offering an in-vehicle wireless charging option starting with the Dart, a compact car that ships this spring. Chrysler says it’s compatible with iPhone, BlackBerry, MP3 players, and Android-based devices. It will cost $200 plus installation. That’s up to four times the price of a charging mat from PowerMat or Duracell for home use, or third-party charging mats you install yourself. 
With Chrysler’s wireless charger, you put your phone or music player in a special case, stick it atop the charging mat (it doesn’t have to be perfectly aligned at all), and it charges automatically. Chrysler says the charger is conductive not inductive, conductive meaning it has to be in contact with the mat. Inductive devices can have an air gap. As with other wireless chargers, there’s no risk of shock with the Chrysler accessory, other than the list price. Automakers will tell you this is the cost of meeting crash certification requirements, covering the part for the car’s three- or four-year warranty, and extreme automotive environments. Whatever: That’s why you have $1,500 in-navigation and $200 update discs from automakers vs. $250 portable navigation devices from Garmin and TomTom vs. $10-a-year smartphone navigation.

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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Revamped 2013 Dodge Viper!


The new 2013 Dodge SRT Vipert stole the show at this years 2012 New York International Auto Show. With a sleek new design, powerful engine, and a few new technological editions, this Viper is sure to turn anyone into a car enthusiast. What do you think of the new design?

This week, as the Viper roared onstage with its engine revving, the refreshed car was the hit of the show -- at least for people who weren't more focused on the debut of Nissan's new New York taxicab design. 
All the familiar parts are still there: the front-mounted V10 engine, a minimal two seats way back behind a long hood, and massive wheels. But underneath, Gilles' team toiled to tame the beast. That's because, as Marchionne observed somewhat understatedly, the old Viper did not suffer fools gladly. It would toss them into the nearest ditch at the slightest provocation. 
The 2013 Viper hasn't been emasculated, however. Power has been boosted to 640 horsepower and the frame is 50 percent stiffer than before. But the suspension has been upgraded to make the car more forgiving and easier to toss around casually on the track. Viper owners love to take their cars to the racetrack, but its unforgiving character required laser focus.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Dodge Continuing "Halftime in America"


Chrysler made an impact during the Super Bowl with their first Halftime in America ad staring Clint Eastwood. It is no wonder that, after the success of the first, they should continue on. These ads might be tugging the heartstrings, but they definitely are making an impact.


Chrysler has had great success with its Clint Eastwood-narrated ad from this year’s Super Bowl. Now, the automaker is looking to capitalize on that commercial’s success by spinning off four new ads for each of its brands from parts of the original commercial. 
Each of the four new spots stems from scenes in the original Super Bowl commercial. Representing the Jeep brand is “Jenny in the Jeep Wrangler” – a school-age kid who has moved to a new town with her mother and brother for her mother to find work. Working long hours at a construction site and never complaining about tough times is “Tommy and the Ram” with a Ram HD. Touching on the noble and honorable men and women who have served our country, the Dodge brand has a touching vignette – “Shaun in the Challenger” — about a boy and his father enjoying the school run in dad’s Challenger now that his father is home from duty. Finally, “300 My Son Steven” is narrated by a father regretting working too hard and not being there for his son; however, he is proud of his boy, paving his own way and starting his own law firm – plus, he drives a Chrysler 300S.
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