Chrysler has just unveiled its strategy that will see a more than 25 percent improvement in fuel economy by 2014. The five-year plan will see significant use of Fiat technology and engines, with smaller engines, six-speed dual clutch transmissions, as well as the use of turbocharging and direct injection technology. Chrysler will also continue to explore electric car technology, with a hybrid Ram expected this year, while a plug-in hybrid Ram 1500 will begin fleet testing.

In total, four new engines will be launched in Chrysler products over the next few years. The first is the 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE with Multiair, which makes 100-hp at 6,50 rpm and 95 ft-lbs of torque at 4,250 rpm. Hardly exciting, this engine will get impressive fuel economy. Add a turbocharger, however, and the 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE Turbo with Multiair delivers 170-hp at 6,750 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. The first vehicle to launch in North America with the 1.4-liter will be the Fiat 500, with other Chrysler models to follow.

Next up is a new version of the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder World Engine (above), which gets Fiat’s variable valve Multiair technology to produce 190-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque. Compared to its predecessor, Chrysler says this new engine not only delivers improved power, but fuel economy as well.

Finally, a new 3.6-liter V6 engine will also be introduced, taking the place of six different V6 engines in the Chrysler lineup. Called the V6 Pentastar, it will first appear in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, making 280-hp and 260 ft-lbs of torque - 90 percent of which is available from 1800 rpm. In the Grand Cherokee, this amounts to an increase of 33 percent more power and 11 percent more torque than the outgoing V6 model.

In addition to these four new engines, Chrysler will begin to use Fiat’s six-speed dual clutch transmission to deliver improved fuel economy and quick-shifting driving dynamics. Chrysler says the Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT) can handle up to 260 ft-lbs of torque and will launch later this year in mid-size D-Segment cars.

“By 2014 calendar year, more than 80 percent of Chrysler Group’s current powertrain lineup will undergo a complete makeover,” said Chrysler Powertrain boss Paolo Ferrero.

GALLERY: Chrysler V6 Pentastar

GALLERY: Fiat 1.4-liter FIRE, FIRE Turbo and DDCT

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Easily one of the the most unanimously despised vehicles by automotive journalists throughout the country, Chrysler recently decided to keep the PT Cruiser as a part of its lineup after axing it just a few months before. Now the automaker doesn’t even have the decency to let it quietly fade into obscurity, but has decided to launch the Couture Edition – apparently in an affront to high-fashion throughout the world.

The 2010 PT Cruiser Couture Edition gets a two-tone silver and black paint scheme, divided by a red pinstripe. Additional exterior highlights include chrome side moldings, door handles and grille inserts, as well as 16-inch wheels. Inside it’s hard to miss the Radar Red leather seats.

The Couture Edition includes all features found on the Classic model and is priced from $19,995.

The Couture Edition is the 16th special version of the PT, a list that includes such models as the PT Turbo, Flames, Woodie, W.P. Chrysler Signature Series, PT Cruiser Classic, PT Street Cruiser Route 66, Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard editions. We can only hope this is the last.

GALLERY: Chrysler PT Cruiser Couture Edition

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

As a part of Chrysler’s new approach, the company is tweaking almost all of its models for 2010 and changing their trim designations. Easily one of the U.S. automaker’s most successful models in the past decade, the 300, gets only minor changes this year.

For starters, Chrysler has done away with some of its more complex nomenclature in favor of two simple (and European sounding) designations: S6 and S8. The S6 model is powered by the company’s 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6, while the S8 gets the 360-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8.

Most noticeable on the outside of the new 2010 models is the lack of chrome on the front grille. Instead the imposing wall of chrome has been traded in for a blacked-out one. Chrome is, however, still used for the door handles, window surrounds and inside the vehicle. Also on the inside the 300 has received a makeover with a carbon-weave steering wheel with red stitching and silver spokes, as well as carbon-weave door handles with red stitching. In addition, highly-bolstered dark gray leather seats feature suede accents with “300 S” logos.

Both the 2010 Chrysler 300 S6 and S8 go on sale in the Spring of this year.

GALLERY: 2010 Chrysler 300 S6 and S8

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

For 2010 Dodge has decided to shake up the Nitro lineup with three new model designations: Heat, Detonator and Shock. All models will come with a 4.0-liter V6 engine, 20-inch wheels, and a 368-watt eight speaker audio system, plus 9-inch subwoofer. That 4.0-liter V6 has also been tweaked significantly for 2010 with 23 percent more ponies on call and 12 percent more torque for a total of 260-hp and 265 ft-lbs. The V6 comes mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Heat models are priced from $23,995, while Detonator models start at $25,995 and add remote start, color-matched cloth interior and rear-park assist. The top trim level Shock model gets heated leather seats and a sunroof and retails fr $26,995.

All 2010 Nitro models will be available in a new Detonator Yellow paint color (shown above).

GALLERY: 2010 Dodge Nitro Detonator

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

For a company that isn’t holding a press conference at the Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler sure has a lot of new products to display. Along with a display of Fiats and a rebadged Lancia, Chrysler’s Jeep brand will showcase three new special edition models: the Jeep Liberty Renegade, Jeep Wrangler Mountain Edition and Jeep Wrangler Islander Edition.

The Islander Edition returns to the Jeep lineup after 20 years and is based on the Wrangler Sport model. It comes in one of four colors: Surf Blue Pearl, Stone White, Bright Sliver Metallic and Brilliant Black Crystal.

Highlights include a “Tiki Bob” decal on the hood, along with latitude and longitude coordinates, black side stes and 17-inch wheels with 32-inch tires. Inside Islander Edition models get dark gray seats with surf blue inserts, blue stitching and Tiki Bob logos embroidered on the seats. Also included is blue stitching on the steering wheel and Mopar floor mats.

As for the Mounted Edition, it’s based on the Wrangler Sport S package and comes with “Mountain” decaling as well as latitude and longitude coordinates. It’s available in Rescue Green Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl and Deep Water Blue Pearl, with high-gloss Mineral Gray 17-inch Moab wheels, as well as high gloss paint for the bumper and grille. Also included are side steps and 32-inch tires, plus special seat inserts on the inside with the “Mountain” logo.

The Island Edition package retails for $1,120, and the Mountain Edition goes for $1,820. Both option packs are available on the two-door Jeep Wrangler and four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 models.

Along with these two Wrangler trim levels, Jeep will also display a Liberty Renegade trim level. Positioned between the Sport and Limited models, the Renegade is offered in Natural Green Pearl, Deep Water Blue Pearl, Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Stone White and in a Renegade-exclusive Salsa Red Pearl.

Highlights include Mineral Gray 16-inch wheels with all-terrain 235/70/16 tires, hood graphics, fog lamps, skid plated, tow hooks, a silver-painted roof rack, as well as dark metallic painted fender flares, side sills, front and rear fascias and side moldings.

Inside are new cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, drifwood accented bezels and a leather wrapped center console.

A 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 comes standard with Selec-Trac II active four-wheel-drive and will be available stating the first quarter of 2010.

GALLERY: Jeep Liberty Renegade

GALLERY: Jeep Wrangler Mountain Edition

GALLERY: Jeep Wrangler Islander Edition

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

The future of Saab just became a little more certain today. Or did it?

General Motors has released in a statement that it has hired on AlixPartners to oversea the wind-down of its loss-making Saab unit. In other words, GM is planning to close the doors on the Swedish automaker, sending the company into liquidation and the employees to the soup kitchen.

But hold on… GM also announced, in the same statement, that it has received several proposals by companies looking to purchase Saab and that it is, “continuing to evaluate these proposals.”

Yesterday GM delayed a board meeting that was to decide the fate of Saab, with rumors that it had given until today to get clear proposals from the two main interested parties: Dutch exotic car maker Spyker and and a newly interested party, Genni Capital.

Recent reports have tied Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone to the Genni Capital bid.

GM has been trying to off-load Saab since it emerged from bankruptcy, with previous efforts, including a sale to Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, having fallen through.

Official GM press release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Ahead of it’s debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week, Chevrolet is giving us a good look at the Aveo RS Show Car, which foreshadows the production 2011 Aveo. And we have to say: Bravo GM!

The sub-compact segment is heating up and while Ford has garnered a lot of publicity with the upcoming Fiesta, if the production Aveo is anything close to this concept, GM may just have hit a home run. Along with aggressive styling and an all-new chassis that is longer, wider and with more interior room than the current model, the Aveo RS Show Car is powered by the 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec motor as found in the new Chevy Cruze. That being said, it makes 138-hp (plenty for a sub-compact and far more than any current production sub-compact offers). GM hasn’t released fuel economy numbers, but with the Cruze capable of 40 mpg on the highway, the Aveo should be able to match that. Better still, enthusiasts will appreciate the six-speed manual transmission.

Inside there’s plenty in the way of high-tech goodies and the interior is simply stunning in both its design and use of materials.

We’ll be sure to bring you more details on the Aveo RS Show Car, as well as news about the production model, with live coverage of the Detroit Auto Show starting January 11th. The all-new Aveo will go into production at GM’s Orion, Michigan plant in late 2010 as a 2011 model.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Aveo RS Show Car

More on the Aveo RS Show Car after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Porsche will not build hybrid versions of its sports cars says company CEO Michael Macht. Both the 911 and Boxster models are off-limits as far as the German sports car maker’s hybrid plans are concerned, although Porsche is pushing ahead with plans to launch a hybrid version of the Cayenne SUV.

According to Macht, Porsche doesn’t see the technology of batteries as being significantly advanced to live up to the automaker’s standards. He also commented that such systems added considerable weight, while stating that as Porsche sports cars aren’t used primarily for daily commuting in the city, the advantages of a hybrid setup would not fully be realized.

Macht did, however, say that Porsche is looking to hybrid-type advancements for its cars, including brake regeneration technology and a start-stop system.

[Source: AutoCar]

General Motors has reportedly delayed a board meeting that was to decide the fate of its loss-making Saab unit today, as a new bidder has emerged onto the scene. GM had already postponed Saab’s fate by dropping a self-imposed December 31st deadline in favor of a January 7th one. Now it is giving Spyker, as well as the new bidder, Genii Capital, one more day.

Genii Capital, a private equity firm, recently made headlines when it took a majority stake in Renault’s Formula One team. The asset-rich private-equity firm is reportedly preparing a cash offer, in direct response to GM CEO Ed Whitacre’s comments that interested parties had best be able to back up their offers with cash. ““It’s real easy,” he said, “show up with the money and you can have it.”

Genii spokesman Lars Carlstroem said that, “Saab is a strong brand on the same level as Porsche and BMW.” He also outlined a plan to restore Saab to profitability. It would work much in the way that the original Koenigsegg (a previous bidder) plan would, selling fewer, more premium vehicles at a high price point.

If a deal does go through tomorrow (with either Spyker or Genii), then Saab is poised to re-start production as early as January 11th. If not, it is expected that GM will begin winding down the Saab division, eliminating thousands of jobs in Sweden and in the U.S., where Saab has over 200 dealerships.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Nissan is preparing an onslaught of modified vehicles for the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, working with partners like Autech and NISMO. An included in the list of nine custom Nissan’s will be a NISMO-ized 2010 GT-R, featuring a new NISMO Data Logger Kit. This kit allows an owner to download data collected by the onboard computer so it can be analyzed and shared.

In addition, two other NISMO models will be on display a NISMO Fiarlady Z (370Z) as well as the Super GT-spec XANAVI NISMO GT-R racecar.

With these three models, Autech will show an additional three custom cars, while Nissan will display three vehicles, including a Roox, Skyline (G37) and Skyline Coupe (G37 Coupe) modified with Nissan parts and accessories.

AutoGuide will bring you more on all of these cars with live coverage of the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon starting January 15th.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…