Is it OK to love one of your kids more than the others? If you work for Jeep the answer is a resounding yes. After the launch of the Grand Cherokee SRT8, brand enthusiasts might like to see other SRT-badge models, but they won’t. The same goes for the upcoming diesel version, which only recently was confirmed for a return to our shores.

In a recent interview Jeep head Mike Manley confirmed that both diesel and high-performance versions will remain the exclusive territory of the Grand Cherokee. And while that’s certainly not the new diesel fanatics were looking for, at least the performance guys can count on the possibility of R/T trim levels.

Hybrids are also out of the question confirms Manley. Instead, look for Fiat’s MultiAir valve-lift technology to be used in future models (think Liberty and the Compass/Patriot replacement) to help deliver added power and fuel economy.

Diesel fans need not despair just yet, however, with a recent report that Chrysler is looking to offer an oil burner is most of it’s large vehicles. Chrysler 300 D anyone?

[Source: Car&Driver]

Subaru has the Legacy and Outback and now Volkswagen has the Passat and the Passat Alltrack. Essentially a high-riding version of the Passat wagon (“Estate”) offered in Europe, the car will make its official debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Along with flared fenders, a stainless steel-look front bumper garnish and some matte-chrome detailing, the Passat Alltrack features VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, underbody protection and a raised ride height. VW says the car’s ground clearance has been increased from 135 mm (5.3 inches) to 165 mm (6.5 inches). The result is a ramp breakaway angle that’s increased from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees, an approach angle that increases from 13.5 to 16 degrees and a departure angle that’s up from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees.

In addition, there’s a hill descent assist setting, and an off-road mode with different settings for the dual-clutch transmission. VW will offer the car in Europe with a choice of two different 2.0-liter TDI engines. No plans have been announced to import the car to North America, and we wouldn’t count on it either.

GALLERY: VW Passat Alltrack

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show preview here

Fiat could blame American consumer sentiment. They could also blame J.Lo’s advertising debacle. Or perhaps, the fault lies with the car. Whatever the case may be, sales numbers for the 2012 Fiat 500 are disappointing.

According to Automotive News, Fiat’s re-introduction into the United States reports will fall significantly short of its 50,000 unit sales target for 2011. Since the Fiat 500 hit American showrooms in March, it has only sold 15,826 units through October.

Of 150 Fiat dealers nationwide, 29 were unable to sell a single one last month. So, in order to give the car some life, Chrysler now offers a $500 rebate incentive as a means of shifting cars before the year ends.  According to internal company documents, Chrysler has almost a half a year supply of 500 models in hand if the abysmal sales performance continues.

Due to the lagging demand, production has slowed, with 65 workers sent home from the Dundee, Michigan Fiat 500 engine assembly plant.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne, insists that the problem is rooted at the distribution network. Dealers are simply claiming that American buyers aren’t interested in such a small vehicle. We hope the sizzling 500 Abarth has got enough kick to turn the sales numbers around.

[Source: Autoblog]

Chrysler is getting some Italian style thanks to former Ferrari designer Lorenzo Ramaciotti, 63, who will now be lending a hand at Chrysler and Lancia.

Ramciotti was lured out of retirement to head up the project, which aims for a common design language for the two brands. “We are trying to find an international language, which could have a place both here in Italy and in the U.S.,” said Ramaciotti in an interview with Bloomberg. “If you put all the models into the showroom, they must fit together. It’s a delicate problem.”

Sergio Machionne, Chief Executive Officer of Fiat and Chrysler, hopes sharing designs will boost both Chrysler and floundering Italian sister company Lancia, a weak link for Fiat. The carmaker loses an estimated $1.08 billion annually in Europe. If all goes as planned, the new Chrysler-Lancia line will boost group sales 64 percent by 2014.

Sharing vehicles between manufacturers is a quick way to cut costs, but it can have a high price.

“It’s extremely difficult to succeed in a strategy of globalizing design,” said Roberto Verganti, a management professor at Milan Polytechnic. “The risk is making international cars with no personality. When you buy a Lancia, you are looking for a piece of Italy, and when you choose a Chrysler, you are getting a slice of America.”

Despite the plan to marry models between Chrysler and Lancia, Fiat doesn’t plan to do the same for other brands including Dodge, Jeep, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, all of which will retain their respective identities.

Currently, Chrysler provides re-badged Grand Voyagers and 300s to Lancia, with Lancia calling them the Voyager and Thema respectively. For now, the cars are attracting attention in showrooms, but they haven’t been hot sellers in the depressed Italian economy. “Reactions are good. The Thema is pretty, design is attractive for Italians, too, but no one is buying these kinds of cars now,” said Roberto Ferrari, who owns a Lancia dealer outside Milan.

Overall, Chrysler only sold 37,000 cars in Europe last year, including Jeep and Dodge. That number is down by almost 38 percent since 2007 when they peaked at 120,000 units.

The news isn’t all bad for Fiat’s rebranded American cars though. Since June, the company enjoyed 18,000 orders for their rebranded version of the Dodge Journey minivan, more than double their total sales for 2009.

[Source: Bloomberg]

The Volkswagen up! is now offering an incredible promo exclusively in Germany. According to Auto Express, a new VW up!, carrying a 10,000 Euro MSRP, can be leased for a mere 95 Euros a month.

There are no strings attached either. There is no initial deposit necessary. Nor are there additional road tax, servicing, roadside assistance, or warranty fees. Even comprehensive insurance will be a part of the 95 Euro deal.

VW marketing boss, Luca de Meo, explains simply, “All you have to do is put fuel in it.” What’s more, there are no age limitations for the promotion either. The youngest drivers are usually paying the highest insurance premiums but they will be eligible for the up! leasing promo as well. Previously, Peugeot offered a similar promotion called “Just Add Fuel” but limited the incentive to drivers that are over the age of 25 only.

Luca de Meo continued, “This is the most important new car for the VW brand and we need new customers, especially young people.” Sources have claimed that similar promotions will be offered in Britain as well but no word on how much the promo will cost when translated into the British market.

[Source: AutoExpress]

With Italy as one of its main markets, it’s no surprise that the Fiat Group would bring a huge collection of new and special edition models to the Bologna Motor Show. This year, the Fiat Group will headline the local auto show with a new 2012 Fiat Sedici model, a Fiat 500 Nation Limited Edition, a Fiat TwinAir 500, a Fiat 500C by Gucci, a Lancia Ypsilon Black&Red, an Abarth 595 turismo, 595 competizione, 695 Assetto Corse, and a Punto scorpione.

Fiat’s Sedici receives a minor facelift for 2012, six years after its initial launch. It’ll be available in three different trim levels, Dynamic, Emotion and Experience, with two engine options, a 1.6L 120-hp and a 2.0L 135-hp MultiJet diesel. Both models can be purchased with front-wheel-drive or selectable all-wheel-drive. Updates to the Sedici’s exterior includes a new color option (Rebellious Purple), painted roof rails and 16-inch wheels for the Experience model.

We’ve already seen Fiat’s 500C by Gucci, and the Fiat 500 Nation Limited Edition, so we’ll turn our attention to the four Abarth special editions that’ll be making an appearance. The new Abarth 595 will be making its world premiere in Bologna in two forms, the turismo and competizione, with the turismo targeted towards personality and comfort while the competizione is built for the racing purist.

Both Abarth 595 models will be powered by a 1.4L Turbo T-Jet powerplant with 160-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque in Sport mode. The turismo model sports a two-tone paint job and the vehicle on display at Bologna will feature Fiat’s Rosso Officina and Grigio Pista accented by a white liner. Turismo graphics are a finishing touch alongside the 17-inch titanium-colored wheels.

On the competizione model, Abarth outfitted the 595 with a five-speed manual transmission, metallic Grigio Record scheme with 17-inch titanium-colored wheels. Behind each race-styled wheel are yellow Brembo brake calipers. The interior further lends the racing spirit to the car with Abarth Corsa by Sabelt leather and alcantara seats. Both 595s also have customization suspension kits and brakes available as options.

The Abarth 695 Assetto Corse has been designed for track racing, and features an aggressive front-end design with a complete aerodynamic spoiler and screen-printed grilles. In the rear of the car is a winged spoiler and twin exhaust pipe. Under the hood is a 205-hp 1.4L turbocharged powerplant while 17-inch racing wheels puts the power to the ground. The interior features all the safety equipment required by FIA regulations including a roll-bar welded to the body. The side windows have been lightened thanks to the use of Lexan, making it 66-lbs lighter than the previous 500 Assetto Corse.

The last of the Abarth models is the Punto scorpione, a limited edition model with just 99 vehicles being made. A two-tone Nero Scorpione paint scheme is further contrasted with a special matte black paintwork on the hood and roof. Under the hood is a 1.4L MultiAir engine with 180-hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. Braking performance is enhanced with four-piston yellow brake calipers while the suspension features front and rear Koni shock absorbers and specially lowered springs.

Lastly, the Fiat Group will be introducing a Black&Red edition of the Lancia Ypsilon coming in four different color choices, two reds, a black and a two-tone black and red scheme. Other the hood is a 1.2L 69-hp engine or a 95-hp 1.3L turbo diesel.

GALLERY: Special Edition Abarths

GALLERY: 2012 Fiat Sedici

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Nation Limited Edition

GALLERY: Lancia Ypsilon Black&Red Edition

Mansory’s extravagant creations are becoming more hit-or-miss in terms of success, but thankfully their rendition of Audi’s R8 Spyder is tolerable if not elegant. Known to sometimes go over the top, we’re surprised by the subtle approach Mansory took with Audi’s exotic convertible supercar.

Of course carbon fiber is incorporated, featured on the new front grille, hood accents, and specific portions on the front, side and rear in order to provide additional aerodynamics. The front lip improves handling and agility while the side skirts lead air smoothly to the rear spoiler. The rear bumper and diffuser are also new from Mansory, transforming the R8 without actually ruining it.

Under the hood, the 5.2L V10 gets a sport air filter and exhaust system bringing peak horsepower to 552-hp and torque to 406 lb-ft. Mansory also outfitted the R8 Spyder with their own wheels, staggering a 20×8.5-inch pairing with a 20×11-inch pairing in the rear. New springs also gives the R8 Spyder a lowered stance.

As usual, Mansory offers custom interior modifications from personalized floormats to custom leather upholstery and carbon trim. Aluminum illuminated door sills, pedals and footrests are also available.

No pricing was announced for Mansory’s R8 Spyder tuning program.

GALLERY: Mansory Audi R8 Spyder

Often overlooked in complicated car projects and builds is the handling aspect of the finished product. Sure, you can squeeze a huge powerplant into any chassis and give it eye-popping performance numbers, but if the car can’t even make a left turn, what’s the point? Nissan’s Juke-R project has captured the attention of every car enthusiast worldwide, and their latest video shows off RML’s focus on the project’s handling.

With supercar performance under the hood, the next goal was to make the Juke-R project handle like a Nissan GT-R. The chassis was reinforced with a purpose-built roll cage, providing the rigidity required to handle the speed and power the Juke-R now sports. Different suspension components were installed to compensate for the car’s weight and height – and even though the video description says its “subtly different”, we’re sure that this is far from the truth.

Check out the video of the Nissan Juke-R’s suspension and chassis getting overhauled after the break.

Continue Reading…

Mercedes-Benz promises that we’ll see the next-generation SL in all its glory before the year is over, and more details have been released as they work towards their goal. The revamped SL roadster will feature a body shell made of 89-percent aluminum, making it almost 310-lbs lighter than its predecessor.

In addition to the lightweight body, the new SL will also feature Magic Vision Control, a new intelligent, high-efficiency windscreen wiper/washer system. The system channels water to the windscreen just in front of the wiper blade lip in the direction the wiper is moving. The result will probably be something revolutionary when we witness it in person; we’ll no longer have to see water splashing on the windshield while it cleans itself.

Mercedes will also be utilizing the free spaces in the aluminum structures in front of the footwell as resonance spaces for bass loudspeakers, giving the new SL a unique FrontBass system. The result will give the SL a concert hall ambience even with the top down.

The aluminum body won’t just be lighter, it’ll also be safer and more rigid. Mercedes employed different processes to make different various types of aluminum based on what the component’s function would be. In a complete breakdown, the body shell features 44-percent cast aluminum, 17-percent aluminum sections, 28-percent aluminum sheet metal, 8-percent steel and 3-percent of other materials. Mercedes also addressed the potential sound issues of aluminum with plenty of consistent sound insulation.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes SL Concept

Alabama’s touchy immigration laws resulted in the arrest of a Mercedes-Benz executive who remains unnamed at this time. The Associated Press revealed that the German executive was stopped when driving a rental car that did not have tags and was then arrested and brought to police headquarters when he failed to provide the Alabama police officer with anything other than a German ID.

Only later was the executive released when an associate came to provide the authorities with his passport, visa, and German driver’s license from the hotel the German exec stayed at.

Mercedes-Benz has quite a presence in the state of Alabama since it first began to build vehicles in Tuscaloosa in 1993. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz facility produces the ML and R-Class vehicles. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley was said to have contacted State Homeland Security Director Spencer Collier for details the moment he was aware of the incident. Mercedes-Benz spokesperson Felyicia Jerald said the incident was “unfortunate” but assured it was resolved.

[Source: AutomotiveNews]