Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Future Shock: 2014 Dodge Dart SRT4
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The base Dart borrows heavily from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform, so expect an upgraded version of the Giulietta Cloverleaf's dual-clutch, six-speed transmission to find its way into the Dart SRT4. The Cloverleaf's 1.7-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder probably won't come with it, as it makes only 230 hp. The Dart SRT4 needs to aim higher, since by summer, Ford's Focus ST will hit the streets with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder making at least 247 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque.
The last-generation Caliber SRT4 made 285 hp and 265 lb-ft from a turbo 2.4-liter, so for the return of the SRT4, expect no less. The all-aluminum, direct-injection, 300-hp four-cylinder engine that should arrive in the long-awaited Alfa Romeo 4C could be a perfect, though expensive, fit. A turbocharged and intercooled larger displacement version of the Dart's Tigershark 2.0-liter might be a better option.
"I'm pretty impressed. It looks like it has quite a bit of content. From a large -- over 8-inch -- display in the center console and additional displays in the gauge cluster. I'm always looking first and foremost for proportion. This car has a nice compact quality to it with wheels pushed to the corners. It has a really nice stance. They've done a pretty nice job with this car." - Derek Jenkins, Mazda's chief of design, when asked what he thought about the new Dodge Dart.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Spy Shots: New BMW M135i with 320HP 3.0-liter Turbocharged Six
Earlier this week, BMW blew the covers off the first models of its new M Performance sub-brand, namely the M550d, X5 M50d and X6 M50d.
But that's only the beginning as the German firm plans to expand the range to include if not all, most of its models including the 1-Series five-door hatchback, a prototype of which our scoop photographers caught while testing in Europe (albeit with a fake 118i moniker on the tailgate).
So far, the most powerful model of the new 1-Series hatch is the recently announced 125i sporting a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 218bhp and 310Nm (228 lb-ft) propelling the five-door model to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.4 seconds and on to a maximum velocity of 245 km/h (152mph).
Who let the Dogs in? Suzuki Did for its 2012 Super Bowl Commercial
Given Americas love for man's best friend, it's a pretty safe bet that you'll get at least some attention with a commercial starring dogs.
Released on YouTube before it hits the television airwaves on February 5 during the big game, Suzuki's 2012 Super Bowl ad is entitled "Sled" and it features an Eskimo who trades in his sled (but not his four-legged crew) for an all-wheel drive Kizashi mid-size sedan.
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Chrysler Group Builds 1 Millionth Pentastar V6 after 18 Months
Only 18 months after the Chrysler Group began production of its new Pentastar V6 at its Trenton Engine Assembly Plant in Michigan, the company hit its first important milestone with the manufacturing of the one-millionth unit. The V6 is also produced at Chrysler's plant in Saltillo, Mexico.
The Detroit firm's all-aluminum 3.6-liter V6 engine made its debut on the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee but has since found its way under the hood of many more models.
These include the Chrysler 200, 300 and Town and Country, plus the Dodge Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Journey and Caravan, and more recently the 2012 Jeep Wrangler.
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