Chicago 2008: It's here - 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupes, Dodge

click above for 89 high-res pics of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

Just over two years after debuting as a concept at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, the Dodge Challenger is now ready to hit the streets for real. The Challenger is reviving a name last used in the late '70s and early '80s on a compact, four-cylinder Mitsubishi-built coupe. This time, though, Chrysler is going back to the roots of the brand with a big muscular rear-wheel-drive coupe, initially available exclusively with a 6.1L HEMI V8 that will power the new Challenger 60 mph in the low 5-second range, according to a very conservative Chrysler. It shares the automaker's LX platform with the Charger and Chrysler 300, and in final form, the car has changed remarkably little from the concept. The most noticeable differences are up front and include the loss of the cross-hair grille and a slim black air dam at the bottom of the bumper. Other changes are pretty subtle, such as some reshaping of the lower air intake.

Out back, the rear bumper is now more prominent and the detailing of the taillights has been revised. A flat black lip spoiler is now mounted on the trailing edge of the deck lid while the Challenger badges on the rear fenders have been dumped. The rear driver side fender now also features a prominent chrome fuel filler cap. The wheelbase of the LX platform has been shrunk from a gargantuan 120 inches for the sedans to a merely large 116 inches for the Challenger. That puts the span between the axles at 9 inches longer the Mustang, which aids interior volume. Read on after the jump for more.

[Source: Chrysler]

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

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Chicago 2008: 2009 Chevy Traverse makes it a Lambda superfecta

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet

click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Chevy Traverse

Let's cut right to the chase. Everything about the 2009 Chevy Traverse that will be unveiled later today in Chicago is stuff we pretty much already know. As the fourth Lambda-platform crossover from General Motors, the basics have been introduced already in the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave. The Traverse is a roomy seven (or eight)-passenger crossover with a well-organized cockpit, whose details differ only slightly from its platform sibs. That's been GM's M.O. thus far, so why should the Traverse be any different? Power, like the other Lambdas, comes from the 3.6L V6, which makes 281 or 286 horsepower in the Bowtie version depending on whether the vehicle is equipped with a single or dual exhaust. GM promises "best in class" fuel economy (final numbers are still TBD), but our experience with the other Lambdas has been that they average in the mid teens duing real-world driving.

The Traverse comes in third in the looks race behind the Enclave and Acadia and ahead of the Saturn Outlook. In front, the jumbo-sized Chevy grille is the dominant element, flanked by some rather angry-looking headlamps. In profile, the Traverse has a lot of Enclave to its looks, with pronounced but less-sculpted rear haunches and similarly-shaped glass. The rear end is highlighted by some very funky-looking taillights. Other than that, you feel like you've been here before, mostly because you have. GM hasn't announced pricing yet, but there'll be LS, LT and LTZ trim levels with both 2WD and AWD available. Given that the Chevy should be competitively priced and has a large dealer network, we wonder how many sales it's going to cannibalize from its siblings -- particularly the Outlook. We'll find out this Summer when it starts appearing in showrooms.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse

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Chicago 2008: Ford introduces Work Solutions in-dash computer package for F-150 [w/VIDEO]

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Gadgets, Trucks/Pickups, Etc., Tech, Videos, Ford

click above for more high-res images of the Ford Work Solutions package

Ford is not shy about reminding the world of the enormous number of full-size trucks that it sells every year. A large portion of those trucks get sold to people who use them to earn their living. Contractors, plumbers, electricians, installers, landscapers and more use their trucks and vans as mobile offices, workshops and tool cribs. With the market for this class of vehicles getting increasingly competitive, thanks to new models from Chrysler and entries from Toyota and to a lesser degree Nissan, Ford knows it needs to provide something that appeals to those core commercial customers. In mid-2006, the brand that Henry built talked to its customers and determined that owners would appreciate new features that would make their more productive in new ways. So they worked with partners like Master Lock, DeWalt and Sprint to create a package called Work Solutions that will be available on 2009 F-150 and Super-Duty pickups and E-Series vans. Basically a fully functional in-dash computer with lots of gadgetry built in, the Work Solutions package is a technological tour de force for commercial customers. Read more about it after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: Ford Work Solutions

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Chicago 2008: Ford Transit Connect arrives in the States ready to work

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Minivans/MPVs, Ford

click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Transit Connect

Lots of businesses and even regular folk have a need for a vehicle with plenty of space inside to carry stuff that isn't necessarily incredibly heavy. For those applications, something like a full-size van is just overkill and results in higher than necessary operating costs. Over the years, Chevy, Dodge and Ford have all offered cargo van versions of their mini-vans for plumbers, caterers and anyone else that didn't need the extra two rows of seats but wanted more storage space. With the demise of the Windstar/Freestar in late 2006, and new, stricter fuel economy regulations on the horizon, Ford found a new solution in its European lineup. Several years ago it launched the Transit Connect, a smaller, tall roofed front-wheel-drive van.

At 6'8" tall, the Transit Connect easily fits in a garage, but the low floor provides lots of room for racks of tools, parts or whatever else the owner might need to haul around. It will be available with either just the two front seats or with an additional second row bench seat for three. In two seater form, the Connect has 143 cubic ft. of storage space that is easily accessible from either of the two sliding doors or the 180^o fold out rear doors. The front wheels will be driven by a 2.0L four cylinder gas engine in the US version since Ford is trying to keep the Transit affordable and skipping the diesels for now. It's currently estimating 19/24 mpg city/highway, which is about 2 mpg better than the Chevy and Dodge cargo vans. Ford will start bringing the Transit Connect to the US in mid-2009 from an assembly plant in Turkey and pricing has yet to be announced.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect

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AutoblogGreen for 02.06.08

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

So, just where is the line between hype and bluster and reality when we're talking about the Zotye electric SUV? That's something that will be made much more clear in the next two months, as that's when deliveries of this $20,000 highway-speed, all-electric SUV are supposed to start. In the near term, let's get busy with the Chicago Auto Show.

• Zotye electric SUV: $20,000, highway speed, 100-mile range and just 60 DAYS AWAY!


• Chicago 2008: Ford brings the Transit Connect to America


• VW sells one millionth DSG, next million on the way


• Airbus completes world first GTL-powered flight


• GM invites you to talk about the environment on GMNext tomorrow


• Video: Jim Dawson's 80-mile range electric SaturnDOE picks 2009 Solar Decathlon teams


• Keene State College an EPA award finalist with waste oil project


• General Motors to invest $69M in Ohio diesel engine plant for updated engine


• University of Michigan starts engineering grad program for energy systems


• Video: Ron Paul on ethanol subsidies "I don't think we should do that"


• Guinea Bissau's excess military staff will grow crops, produce ethanol


• Is Fiat's "Eco pack" greenwashing or the right direction for the car industry to go?


• If successful, the Tata Nano will likely push up gas prices


• VW Jetta TDI Cup registration almost done, driver selection in early April


• Beetles killing Rocky Mountain trees, so why not use the wood to make ethanol?


• i-Spec Q-100, a handheld biodiesel analyzer, coming from Paradigm Sensors


• India gets its first hydrogen filling station

 

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F&M Antas V8 to star in <i>Speed Racer</i>

Filed under: Sports/GTs, Maserati, Celebrities

Click on the images to view in our gigantic high-resolution gallery

Ever hear of the Faralli & Mazzati Antas V8 GT? Few have, but many will see it soon, as the unique coachbuilt sportscar is set to make its cinematic debut in the highly-anticipated Speed Racer movie.

The handcrafted Antas V8 GT is the creation of classic car restorers Walter Faralli and Luca Mazzanti, who designed the car by hand with retro touches culled from vintage Maseratis, Morgans and Bugattis. The Antas made its big debut in the presence of Prince Albert II at the 2006 Top Marques show in Monaco, and is powered by a 310hp 4.7-liter Maserati V8. Although we don't yet know in what capacity exactly, the F&M Antas V8 GT will star alongside such names as Susan Sarandon, John Goodman and Christina Ricci (the latter of which will have to compete with the Antas for curve factor) when Speed Racer hits the big screen on May 9, 2008. In the meantime, you can check out all the images in the huge gallery below.

[Source: F&M Auto]

Gallery: Faralli & Mazzati Antas V8 GT

 

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