New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon Captures Prestigious 'Four Wheeler of the Year' Award from Four Wheeler Magazine

The new 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon the most capable production vehicle on the planet has been named "Four Wheeler of the Year" by Four Wheeler magazine. The award is given annually by the editors of the opinion-leading off-road enthusiast magazine.

"The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon owned nearly all aspects of off-road testing during our annual 'Four Wheeler of the Year' competition," said Four Wheeler Editor John Cappa. "The grueling 1,000-mile trek put each contending vehicle through its paces in several on- and off-road environments, including high-speed graded roads, jagged rocks, shifting sand dunes, and more. The universal do-all capability of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon allowed it to outperform the other competing 4x4s, making it our 2012 Four Wheeler of the Year award winner."

To qualify for the competition, entries had to be entirely new or have substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year. Testing was conducted over more than a thousand miles on a variety of terrain, including pavement, gravel, dirt, sand, rocks and mud, at elevations ranging from sea level to more than 9,000 feet.

"By earning the respected 'Four Wheeler of the Year' award, consumers and particularly the most die-hard off-road enthusiasts can be assured that the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has established an even higher level of unmatched capability," said Mike Manley, President and CEO Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "We are delighted the influential editors of 'Four Wheeler' magazine have recognized Wrangler's new level of capability, along with its improved power, torque and fuel efficiency."

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon "Four Wheeler of the Year" award comes a year after the Jeep Grand Cherokee the premium icon of the brand captured the award, and less than two years after the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was named the Best 4x4 vehicle of the 2000-2009 decade by Four Wheeler magazine.

The "Four Wheeler of the Year" award is the latest in a list of awards the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler has received since its introduction in September. Other recent Wrangler accolades include:

• 4x4 of the Year, Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine
• Mid-size SUV of Texas, Texas Auto Writers Association
• Best Value Off-Road, Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) award
• Hottest 4x4 SUV, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) award
• ALG Residual Value Award Best Compact Utility Vehicle
• Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Best Resale Value Award, Compact Utility Vehicle
• Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Best Resale Value Award, Top-10 Cars

For the 2011 calendar year, Jeep Wrangler sales are up 29 percent in the U.S. November marked Wrangler's sixth consecutive year-over-year monthly sales record.

2012 Dodge Journey Selected in Latest AutoTrader.com 'Best Of' Survey

by Pete Misiak

End-of-the-year lists flourish in December the best films, the top news stories, favorite books and songs and, not to be outdone, the editors at AutoTrader.com are in a list-posting mood, too. The web site is recommending its 12 "Want to Buy Cars" for consumers living in a "Need to Buy World." And, among its selections is the new 2012 Dodge Journey.

According to the 2011 AutoTrader.com Shopper Frame of Mind study, an overwhelming majority of respondents 71 percent purchased a car based on need rather than want. The staff at AutoTrader.com provided a list of 12 new and near-new vehicles under $30,000 that can meet various consumer needs while giving them many of the features, luxuries and conveniences they will want to have in their next vehicle. Then, it fielded a new survey of more than 300 site visitors in November to find out what autos on the list they were attracted to and why.

Under the heading of "New Baby in the Family," here's what the editors had to say about the Journey:

"Growing families need more room and family-friendly features such as good handling, entertainment features and fuel economy. With this in mind, AutoTrader.com experts recommended the new 2012 Dodge Journey."

Popular events that trigger a "need to buy" situation are purchasers' previous vehicles being involved in accidents or breaking down, and changes in lifestyle such as a new baby, new commute to work, new driver in the family and a new job.

The Shopper Insights Report is a new report in the AutoTrader.com Trend Engine series one that brings together AutoTrader.com's strengths in automotive expertise, consumer research and analysis of shopper behavior for the millions of people who visit the site each month.

Safety matters in the minivan segment and the best-selling minivan in the United States, the Chrysler Town & Country earned a Top Safety Pick award, Autoblog said.

The Dodge Grand Caravan and several other minivan models also were honored. "Safety-conscious parents shopping for a family hauler should be pleased with today's minivan choices," says David Zuby, safety researcher for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Los Angeles Times reported. "At the same time, the ratings show that major differences remain in this segment when it comes to protection in a rollover crash."

The 2012 models of Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country received strength-to-weight ratio ratings of 4.51, among the highest of the minivans tested for roof strength, and above the IIHS requirement of 4.0, Chrysler Group said.

Engineering chief Scott Kunselman said in a statement that Chrysler Group?s 11 Top Safety Picks, a number unsurpassed in the industry, underscore the company?s commitment to safety and security across all vehicle segments.

Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road and the Specialty Equipment Market Association both bestowed 4x4 of the Year awards to the Jeep® Wrangler.

Changes to the 2012 Wrangler "coupled with the Wrangler's established off-road pedigree, were enough for it to take top honors from Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road," Autoblog wrote.

Examiner.com quoted 4 Wheel & Off-Road Editor Rick Péwé saying: "The Rubicon gives you complete confidence in its terrain tackling abilities. It allows you to take the trail less traveled without worrying about  the journey. And it does so while leaving a smile on your face. This is one fun ride."

A day later, the Specialty Equipment Market Association named the Jeep Wrangler the best 4x4/SUV for customizing and accessorizing.

This is the Jeep Wrangler?s fourth award in the space of a week, Examiner.com noted. "Last week, the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) named Jeep Wrangler Unlimited the `Mid-Size SUV of Tex-as,? while a panel of journalists and professional athletes awarded it the "Best Off-Road Value? in the 2012 Active Life-style Vehicle of the Year com-petition," Examiner.com wrote.

The SEMA Show is filled with plenty of crazy and powerful cars, but "if you?re in the mood to make one of your own, look no further than Chrysler?s newest crop of V-8 and V-10 crate engines," Motor Trend magazine said.

The crown jewel is a new V-10 crate engine that clocks in at 512 cubic inches (8.4 liters) of displacement, 800 horsepower, and 695 lb.-ft. of torque, the publication said. It has a redline of 7,000 rpm, "although the thought of 10 pistons of that size moving at that speed makes us a bit dizzy," Motor Trend said.

MSN Autos.com noted that Mopar also will showcase its more powerful high output crate version of the Gen III 426 HEMI® V-8 that uses a lightweight aluminum block "that cuts 100 pounds from the weight of the cast-iron version" and delivers 590 horsepower out of the box. Other Mopar upgrades include a bolt-on upgrade kit for the Gen III Dodge Viper "that injects an extra 150 horsepower" and a distributor front-drive kit for the Gen III HEMI, MSN said.

Four-time champion Jeg Coughlin will return to drag racing under the Mopar banner, USA Today's Drive On blog reported. Coughlin returned from his last NHRA sabbatical to win consecutive pro stock titles, and "he has similar expectations in coming back again in 2012," the paper said.

Consumers Digest announced its annual automotive "Best Buys," and Chrysler Group received eight awards, more than doubling the number of "Best Buys" the automaker earned previously, Allpar.com reported.

The Chrysler?s 2012 "Best Buys" are: Chrysler 300, Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Fiat 500, and Ram 1500, the article said.

The Consumers Digest editors determine "Best Buys" on many build quality and performance attributes such as ergonomics, fit and finish, utility, acceleration and fuel economy. They also look at cost of owner-ship variables such as resale value, warranty, maintenance costs and annual operating expenses, Allpar.com said.

"It will be extremely interesting to see what unfolds for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in the 2013 model year," says Editor Rich Dzierwa of Consumers Digest. "New quality strategies put in place by Fiat since it took over control of Chrysler?s operations should genuinely start to kick into gear soon," Dzierwa said according to Dealer Communications.

The Wrangler is the "most authentic and rugged off-roader in the Jeep® fleet," and to keep it relevant the current brand custodians at Jeep made some significant improvements to the 2012 model, Scripps News Service reported.

Function has always come before form with the Wrangler, but now "functional is no longer synonymous with uncomfortable," Consumer Guide Automotive said. The "Wrangler accommodates a shifting audience, evolving from the single male, off-road enthusiast to families looking for a daily driver with an adventuresome side," the publication said.

The Wrangler "competes nicely in its design," with upgraded interior features and materials, automatic temperature controls, heated seats, power mirrors and steering wheel controls for vehicle systems, the Scripps News Service article said. The most noticeable improvement in the 2012 model is performance, the article said.

  For truck lovers who've been contemplating a purchase, the latest reviews of new Ram 1500 Outdoorsman's wealth of specialty options and features make it irresistible.

PickupTrucks.com listed the Ram Outdoorsman as one of their "Top Five Tailgating Pickups."

Pickups serve as great party platforms, PickupTrucks.com said. And no matter what your preference for teams or tailgating refreshments, the Ram Outdoorsman suits the purpose perfectly with its built-in Ram-Boxes serving as a portable pair of ice coolers for beverages or storage cabinets for loads of chips and meats, the article said.


If you spend your fall weekends hunting instead of tailgating, there's something for you, too, says FoxNews.com, which reports that the Ram Outdoorsman is meant specifically for hunting.


"There's a minimal amount of chrome siding to reduce glare that can scare animals away, the tires and 4x4 features are designed for pushing through deep mud, and there's a side box specifically for storing rifles and other hunting gear," the article said. Tow hooks are available for pulling logs and debris out of the way or retrieving a stuck ATV, and the Outdoorsman can tow a large duck boat, dualATVs on a trailer or a full camper, Fox News said.

 The new generation Chrysler 300's fresh, glinting form rolling through the Detroit city-scape in the "Imported from Detroit" commercials has done much to contribute to the full-size sedan's consumer awareness, the Houston Chronicle said.

For 2012, Chrysler ratchets up its appeal with an expand-ed lineup and significant V-6 performance upgrades, the Chronicle said.

There's big news in terms of performance: An eight-speed automatic transmission ? a feature one would expect on a premium sedan costing two to three times more ? improves performance and fuel efficiency, the paper said. The more-refined eight-speed transmission's extra gears smooth up-shifting and downshifting and delivers crisper acceleration, according to the Houston Chronicle article.
"The new-design interior gives the 300 the look and feel of a solid-built, premium sedan," the Chronicle said.

The Wall Street Journal re-ported on the ingenious design elements used by Chrysler Group designers to improve the vehicle's looks and performance without major structural changes to the vehicle.
"Chrysler invested in a range of exterior and interior design changes to spiff up its Chrysler 300, without significantly changing the car's classic architecture," the Wall Street Journal said.
Their mission: Give the 300, which starts at just under $30,000, the tailored looks of BMW or Mercedes cars that can cost up to twice that much, the Journal said.

Sales of the revamped 300 were up 50 percent in September from a year earlier, the Journal article said.

The Motor Trend staff recently added a 2011 Mopar® Charger to their test fleet, noting the limited edition model is "gifted with Mopar bits to make it perform better on the track, while still being completely drivable on the street."

The Mopar Charger is based off a stock Dodge Charger R/T and retains the 370 hp 5.7-liter HEMI® engine, Motor Trend said. Mopar performance up-grades include thicker front and rear sway bars, addition of a front and rear strut tower brace and a shorter final drive ratio, the story said.

Changing the final drive ratio to 3.91 from the stock Charger's 3.06 "allows the Charger to hustle to 60 mph in just over 5 seconds," Motor Trend reported.

Other changes include unique "Pitch Black" paint with a Mopar Blue stripe on the driver's side, the story said. The car also sports Pitch Black 20-inch Envy wheels. On the in-side, the car gets a unique pistol grip shifter and blue trim accents, Motor Trend said.

Mopar is building just 1500 of the $39,750 Mopar Chargers in a limited production run, the story said.

2012 Family Crossovers With The Best Cargo Flexibility

2012 Dodge Journey

With up to nine feet of storage, front to back, the 2012 Dodge Journey crossover, redesigned just last year, also provides comfortable, stylish and functional seating for up to seven passengers. Available Tilt 'N Slide second-row seating, available Flip 'N Stow seat storage system, available second-row child booster seats, 39.6 cubic feet of volume behind the second row, and a host of other family-friendly features make the Journey a great transportation choice. Versatility is in the Journey's DNA, with best-in-class storage flexibility, including fold-flat front passenger seat, in-seat storage and second-row in-floor storage. With prices starting at $18,995 (excluding destination), the 2012 Dodge Journey is also the most affordable mid-size crossover and the most affordable seven-passenger vehicle in America.

Automotive journalists who get into Chrysler Group?s high-performance 2012 SRT8® models come out writing about their exhilarating experiences.

SRT has created a family of muscle cars that is "truly stellar and well-deserving of our exultation," a Sub5zero.com reviewer declared after driving the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8. The Charger SRT8 has American muscle car physicality, Japanese technological finesse, and German refinement in one vehicle, Sub5zero.com said.

An AutoGuide.com scribe, after test driving the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, proclaimed "this Challenger is by far one of the most fun, high performance cars I?ve driven in the past several years."

Truck Trend asserted that driving the big 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 across a lakebed "fulfills every "Mad Max? fantasy you?ve ever had," and a journalist who took the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 out for a spin felt like he was driving "a fine European luxury sport sedan."

All four new SRT vehicles share a common powerplant ? the new 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) HEMI® V-8 engine that features more horsepower and more torque than ever before across a significantly wider rpm range, while intake and exhaust technologies lead

The 2011 Dodge Journey is filled with "thoughtful touches," many of them borrowed from Dodge's minivan, that make the family vehicle a truly surprising replacement for the minivan, the Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger said.

"The most important part is what you feel behind the wheel: Steering and suspension have been returned," and Dodge also has added the excellent new 3.6-liter V-6 engine, the Ledger said.

"The Journey's quiet, comfortable ride seemed more like that of a luxury vehicle," the paper said in its review.
Driving revealed the Journey?s strengths, the review said: The abundant power from the new V-6 is commendable; fuel economy around town is exactly as promised by the EPA; and the automatic trans-mission allows smooth, prompt shifts while accelerating.

Another surprise was the Journey's vastly improved interior quality, according to the Ledger. "The cabin is awash in soft touch materials and padded surfaces," the review said.

Chrysler's redesigned 300 big sedan wowed 'em? at Consumer Reports, a USA Today blog reported.
The 2011 Chrysler 300 got an excellent? rating in the magazine's road test, USA To-day said. The blog also notes the 2012 model has a few more improvements.

Mlive.com said the 300 is now ranked the No. 6 upscale sedan by Consumer Reports, making it the best domestic model of the year for luxury sedans.

In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Consumer Reports said it is unusual for a redesigned model to  rise so far in its ratings. The higher score for the 300C is the influential magazine's second round of praise for Chrysler vehicles in four months following positive reviews of the Dodge Durango and Dodge Charger, the Free Press said.

Consumer Reports engineers and editors described the 300 as the best Chrysler sedan we've seen in  decades, according to USA Today.

The 300C's overall road test score of 80 puts it ahead of the Lincoln MKZ, Buick LaCrosse CXS, Ford Taurus and others, Mlive.com said.

The editorial staff of PickupTrucks.com named the Ram 1500  "Best $30,000 Pickup" in their first ever value shootout.

Ram found the winning formula that balances price, performance and features PickupTrucks.com said.
In a contest like this where overall value is such a high priority and the performance data - zero-to-60, payload capacity, braking, fuel economy, livability - are equal pieces of the judging criteria, the vehicle that does the best in the most categories is likely to come out on top, - and that's exactly how the Ram won  PickupTrucks.com reported.

With the fewest sacrifices and compromises inside and out, the ST Quad Cab is our  - Best Truck for $30,000  the website said.
The Best $30,000 Pickup Truck Shootout pitted a Ram
1500 Quad Cab HEMI® against similarly priced entries from Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan and Toyota, Allpar.com report-ed.

This test is an overwhelmingly strong third-party validation of Ram Truck's value for the money and proof positive that we are meeting the needs and expectations of our truck customers  said Fred Diaz, CEO for the Ram Truck Brand, in the Allpar.com report.

This shootout was all about best bang for your buck  said Mark Williams, editor of PickupTrucks.com, in the egmCarTech.com story.

With money being a major concern for everyone right now and pickup trucks being the best-selling vehicles in the country, it was important for the focus of this shootout to be about value over anything else Williams said, egmCarTech.com reported.

Building on the success of last year?s Mopar version of the Dodge Challenger, Chrysler Group LLC?s Mopar Division will launch a limited-edition Dodge Charger outfitted with select high-performance parts and appearance items straight from the Mopar parts catalog.

Powered by the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® with 370 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque, the specially equipped Charger includes the ?Super Trac Pac? option that pushes the capabilities of the Mopar Charger in acceleration, handling and braking. Already powerful, the 5.7-liter has been tuned to extract the maximum amount of torque from the engine with the inclusion of a specially calibrated engine controller.

The controller matches maximum engine power and transmission shifting to the differential for the Mopar ?11 Charger. Backed with a proven five-speed W5A580 automatic, Mopar aficionados will appreciate the latest generation ?Pistol Grip? shifter combined with Auto Stick. With Auto Stick, drivers may select a higher or lower gear while the transmission controller helps prevent the possibility of an over-rev condition. At the rear, the differential has been boosted up with a new 3.91:1 final-drive ratio for enhanced acceleration ? unique to the Mopar Charger. Initial testing of the Mopar ?11 Charger has shown 0-to-60 mph blasts in the low five-second range.

Enhancements to the chassis include adding larger front 30mm solid stabilizer bar and rear 20mm solid stabilizer bar, increases from 27mm and 16mm (respectively). Adding to the overall stability and handling of the Mopar Charger are cross-car braces located at both the front and rear shock towers. For increased luggage space, the rear tower-to-tower brace may be easily removed. Specific-design, 20-inch x 8-inch Envy wheels are fitted with Goodyear F1 Supercar 245/45ZR20 tires at all four corners. Wheels are a five-spoke design with a 45mm offset, include specific Mopar center caps and are finished in a high-gloss black complementing the overall ?Pitch Black? exterior finish of the Mopar Charger. Excellent stopping power is provided through vented rotors measuring 345mm x 28mm up front that are fitted with dual-piston, sliding calipers.

At the rear, vented rotors measuring 320mm x 22mm, coupled with single-piston calipers are used. Available only in a ?Pitch Black? finish, exterior highlights of the Mopar Charger include a pair of specific Mopar Blue racing stripes running from the front air dam across the hood and over the roof ending at the bottom of the rear fascia. Ornamentation is limited to a front grille and rear-deck Mopar badge. A rear spoiler is standard on the Charger special-edition model.

Five Chrysler Group LLC vehicles ? the new Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey, Chrysler 200, Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Jeep Patriot ? have been named Top Safety Picks for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS annually recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover and rear crashes based on good rating in a series of tests conducted by the Institute.
To be considered, vehicles must have available electronic stability control systems that may significantly reduce crash risks. All five Chrysler Group LLC vehicles feature electronic stability control as standard equipment for 2011.

New to the list of top safety picks by the IIHS are the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 200. In selecting the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the IIHS noted the addition of torso airbags to bolster side crash protection to the vehicle?s already comprehensive list of safety features.

Also new to the list of Top Safety Picks is the Chrysler 200. The Chrysler 200 is the automaker?s newest addition to the mid-size sedan segment and new to the line-up for 2011.

Both Dodge Avenger and Journey return to the list of IIHS Top Safety Picks for the third straight year. The Jeep Patriot was named a Top Safety Pick for the second straight year.

?With the addition of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 200, Chrysler Group has five Top Safety Picks in the 2011 model year. This recognition by the IIHS underscores our commitment to safety across all vehicle segments,? said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President ? Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC.

?As we continue with our product transformation, we?ll continue to engineer safety leadership and more capabilities into all our vehicles.? The five Chrysler Group selections employ a two-fold approach to safety, including active safety items such as electronic stability systems and anti-lock brakes, as well as passive safety features, such as head restraints for front seat occupants and supplemental side-curtain or side-seat airbags.

?Automakers deserve credit for quickly rising to meet more-challenging criteria for Top Safety Pick,? says Adrian Lund, the Institute?s president. ?That gives consumers shopping for a safer new car or SUV ? from economy to luxury ? plenty of choices to consider in most dealer showrooms.?

The 2011 Chrysler Group vehicles named as Top Safety Picks by IIHS are either all-new or have received significant changes for the 2011 model year

 UAW Vice President General Holiefield (left) and Dodge Brand CEO Ralph Gilles celebrate the first 2011 Dodge Durango to roll off the line at Chrysler Group LLC?s Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit.

The all-new Durango, the three-row SUV that will lead the brand?s product onslaught in 2011, is the first Dodge ever to be produced at JNAP since the plant began production in 1992 and joins the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee on the assembly line.

With its sleek exterior design, modern, spacious interior, world-class suspension dynamics and intelligent and fuel-efficient and powerful powertrain options, the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango delivers driving excitement and refinement combined with the interior flexibility of a three-row SUV. The Durango?s new unibody structure is more than 25 percent stiffer than the vehicle it replaces, making it a driver?s SUV that delivers impressive on-road handling. The new Durango also delivers best-in-class towing capability of 6,200 lbs. with the V-6 engine and 7,400 lbs. with the V-8 engine.

The starting U.S. Manufacturer?s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango, Express model, is $29,195 for the rear-wheel-drive and $31,195 for the all-wheel-drive (excluding an $850 destination charge).

Off-Road Adventures magazine has named Ram Truck as Manufacturer of the Year. In its December 2010 issue, Off-Road Adventures credits Ram Truck?s commitment to advanced design and proven powertrains for the honor.

?We?re proud that Off-Road Adventures magazine has named Ram its Manufacturer of the Year,? said Fred Diaz, President and CEO ? Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales, Chrysler Group LLC. ?Their decision to feature the Ram Power Wagon on their cover photo seems very fitting, because Ram Power Wagon?s unmatched off-road capability makes it the best truck you can buy for a real off-road adventure.?

"Today, the new 2011 Ram carries forward the legacy of innovative upgrades, one that the editor and writers of Off-Road Adventures magazine recognize as a significant achievement in truck design and engineering," said Off-Road Adventures Editor and Publisher Denis Snow.
The magazine went on to praise Ram Heavy Duty?s 5.7-liter HEMI® and 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel powertrains.

?These proven powertrains are well known for their reliability,? the Off-Road Adventures writers said. ?The Cummins Turbo Diesel has major overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles. Recall that Ram and Cummins have worked shoulder-to-shoulder for more than 20 years, delivering billions of miles of customer satisfaction. Cummins-equipped Ram trucks exceeding 300,000 miles are common, with some even surpassing the 1 million mark! No surprise, then, that all Ram Truck engines, transmissions and axles are covered by a segment-leading five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.?

About the Ram Truck brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.
Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities.
The Ram Truck brand added to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of an all-new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks, Motor Trend's Truck of the Year. The new heavy-duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment. The Ram Truck brand is further enhancing its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for
maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.

Editors of Decisive Auto magazine and a panel of 15 independent automotive journalists have chosen the all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee as Decisive Media?s ?Urban Truck of the Year.?
?While faithfully capturing the spirit of its predecessor, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is new and improved in every way,? said Lyndon Bell, Editor-in-chief ? Decisive Auto magazine. ?The Jeep?s over-the-road dynamics easily rivals that of its competitors? less capable crossover vehicles. Meanwhile, the Jeep is also perfectly proficient at traversing any terrain. Luxurious interior appointments ? along with the fact that drivers aren?t penalized into accepting a lower trim level if they opt for the more fuel-efficient engine ? speaks volumes to the way Jeep?s engineers and product planners incorporated 21st century realities into America?s most iconic SUV.?

Before choosing Jeep?s new premium SUV, the Urban Vehicle judging panel spent several months driving dozens of vehicles in a variety of North American urban settings. Consideration focused on several categories, including styling, practicality and attainability attributes of each vehicle.

The Urban Vehicles of the Year will be formally presented at the 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards on January 9, 2011, leading into the North American International Auto Show activities.
The ?Urban Truck of the Year? is the latest in a list of awards the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has recently captured.

Other accolades include:
Consumers Digest ?Best Buy? Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Award for Off-Road Ability Texas Auto Writers Association ?SUV of Texas? Texas Auto Writers Association ?Full-size SUV of Texas? Ruedas ESPN ?Best SUV? Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick
Jeep Grand Cherokee Nearly two decades ago, Jeep invented the premium SUV segment with the  introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. More than 4 million sales later, Jeep improves the formula and hits the sweet spot of Jeep 4x4 capability and on-road refinement with the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers premium on-road performance while maintaining the Jeep brand's legendary four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case and towing capability. It also offers improved fuel economy (up to 23 mpg), superb on-road ride and handling, a world-class interior cabin, more than 45 safety and security features, and a variety of advanced technology features.
Jeep Brand Built on nearly 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Oct 20, 2010 - It?s not over yet. Dodge continues to unleash new products to the market, today introducing the new 2011 Dodge Journey, its mid-size crossover with ?right sized? proportions, five- or seven-passenger seating, innovative storage solutions, abundant safety and security features, all-wheel drive capability and models packaged for a variety of lifestyles.

For 2011, Dodge takes what was good and makes it better. The Dodge Journey receives a major overhaul with a completely redesigned and retuned suspension, a new V-6 engine and a gorgeous new interior. And that?s not all. Journey also features the latest and greatest in vehicle connectivity and customization with the Chrysler Group?s new PowerNet electrical architecture. Owners will feel like they have the world at their fingertips with the Journey?s available touch-screen command center, Uconnect Touch.


From navigation to dual-zone climate controls to the ability to check fuel prices, the all-new Uconnect Touch media center makes life in the new 2011 Dodge Journey an excellent adventure for the driver and passengers. Four Uconnect Touch models are available, all featuring easy-to-use controls and class-leading technology. With its touch-screen display and user-friendly touch-key categories, connecting and controlling personal devices is simple, intuitive and customizable.
The 2011 Dodge Journey is nimble, composed and handles well in all driving and road conditions. Chrysler Group engineers improved routine ride handling by re-engineering the suspension geometry, adding new, improved premium tires and redesigning the steering for a more precise and coordinated response. Overall, customers will be treated to an energetic, fun-to-drive experience behind the wheel.
In addition, at 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2011 Dodge Journey equipped with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers a 20 percent boost in power compared with the V-6 engine it replaces. It?s mated to the smooth-shifting six-speed transmission.

Drivers also will be treated to a smooth, quiet ride. Engineers reduced noise, vibration and harshness by installing new, premium sound-deadening treatments and insulation throughout the vehicle.
But perhaps the most rewarding surprise is Journey?s new interior. Customers will step into world-class levels of craftsmanship and comfort. A beautifully crafted one-piece instrument panel sets the tone. A new, larger cluster with standard electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) is positioned in the center of the new gauges. It?s a full-color display backlit in Dodge red lights, giving it a soft glow unlike any in the segment. New, integrated center stack bezels are less angular and more sculpted, and designers
softened the radius to make more room for the driver?s knees. The heating and cooling outlets are also redesigned to make them better looking and better functioning. The center console gets a lot of extra cushion on the tilt-and-slide armrest. Lift the lid, and there?s a larger center storage bin with a 12-volt outlet and USB port where owners can hook up their MP3/iPod charging connections and hide them away.
The design team also worked to make the Journey?s interior more comfortable. They moved the shifter and cupholders, making it easier for drivers and passengers to get their coffee and soda without having to lean over and under the dash. There?s also a larger front storage bin with side nets. The new multi-functioning three-spoke Dodge brand steering wheel with integrated controls and a wider, longer, soft-touch armrest transform the driver?s seat into a cockpit-like experience. Comfortable new seats might just make drivers want to take the long way home to get a little extra seat time. The Dodge Journey offers six new interior color and trims to complete the makeover.

On the outside, Journey maintains its sculpted, clean, aggressive lines, and adds a new front fascia that sports the signature Dodge Brand ?split crosshair? honeycomb grille. The fog lamp bezels are bigger and bolder, and Journey models with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 get a new, unique more aggressive lower fascia with the honeycomb texture in the grille (late availability). New 19-inch wheels, a new, less angular rear fascia and ?ring of fire? LED taillamps wrap it up from front to back.
 
Journey also is loaded with an abundance of safety and security features, including: standard advanced multi-stage front passenger air bags, active head restraints, electronic stability control (ESC) with all-speed traction control, electronic roll mitigation and brake assist, new driver-side knee blocker air bag, supplemental side-curtain air bags covering all three rows, supplemental front-seat-mounted side air bags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, LATCH child seat anchor system and trailer sway control.
The Dodge Journey is built in at Chrysler Group LLC?s Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico. It will arrive in U.S. dealerships in fourth quarter of 2010.

Craftsmanship, Elegance and Value: The New 2011 Chrysler 200

Oct 2010 - Chrysler Group LLC released additional photos of the new 2011 Chrysler 200 mid-sized sedan. Offering consumers exceptional craftsmanship inside and out, a refined and spirited driving experience, innovative technology, an abundance of standard safety features and an extraordinary level of standard content, the 2011 Chrysler 200 is an exciting alternative for customers that want style and substance, all at a surprising value.

Virtually every system in the sedan is new or upgraded for 2011, giving the Chrysler 200 its own identity and space in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment. Exterior and sheet metal upgrades include: front and rear fascias and fenders, grille featuring the new Chrysler brand winged badge, hood, rear decklid and exterior mirrors, new projector headlamps and fog lamps, new LED taillamps and a LED center high-mounted stop light.

The Chrysler 200 gets a new powertrain lineup featuring the 2.4-liter I-4 World Gas Engine mated to either a four-speed or six-speed automatic transaxle, or the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transaxle; improved ride and handling tuning which includes stiffened body mounts and softer ride rate, improved suspension geometry with a raised roll center, a new rear sway bar, and new tires and an extensively upgraded treatment for the reduction of noise, vibration and harshness including acoustic laminated glass for the windshield and front door windows.

Quality materials abound in the beautifully updated new interior for 2011. Updates include a new instrument panel, bezels and gauge face, upgraded seats with a new design that incorporates more cushion material and revised spring geometry as well as new leather and cloth seating materials, new ?soft touch? armrests and dash, and new heating and cooling outlets in the instrument panel with improved design and functionality.
The new 2011 Chrysler 200 provides drivers a beautifully inspired sedan that doesn?t compromise safety or practicality and offers the best value in its class. The Chrysler 200 will be built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. and will arrive in dealerships in the fourth quarter 2010.

    Buckle in and hold tight. Dodge is jumping back into the sport utility (SUV) segment with the 2011 Dodge Durango, a three-row vehicle spacious enough to carry the entire crew and performance-tuned to thrill anyone who truly loves to drive. Durango will lead the Dodge brand's new product onslaught for 2011.
    From its sleek exterior design to its modern, spacious interior, and intelligent, fuel-efficient and powerful powertrain options, the 2011 Dodge Durango is all-new from the inside out. And the changes are more than skin deep. The Durango's stiffened unibody structure is engineered with the driving enthusiast in mind. The end result is a vehicle that delivers premium driving performance combined with SUV capability and crossover versatility.

The all-new Durango features two engine options: the standard fuel-efficient 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and the available 5.7-liter HEMI engine with fuel-saving, Multi-displacement system (MDS) four-cylinder mode. Both engines feature variable-valve timing (VVT) and are available with all-wheel drive. In addition to great efficiency, the engines provide exceptional V-6 and V-8 towing capability with standard trailer sway control (V-8 - 7,400 lbs. and Best-in-class V-6 - 6,200 lbs.). When equipped with the HEMI® V-8, the all-new Durango can tow more weight than a 24-foot boat and trailer.

The Durango's all-new interior is a surprise owners always deserved but never expected. Created by the same interior design studio that designed the much-lauded interior in the Ram trucks and the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Durango's luxurious interior materials and thoughtful touches will make owners and their crews want to jump in, hunker down and thoroughly enjoy even the longest drive. Everywhere they touch, Durango passengers will feel materials that are refined and soft to the touch. Not only is it a pleasure to behold, it is extremely functional and gives owners a first-class experience, regardless of the trim level. Durango's interior is also extremely comfortable for all three rows of passengers, and there's a surprising amount of interior flexibility. With 22 different seating configurations, there's plenty of room to store and move plenty of people and their gear.



The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango also offers consumers 45 safety and security features, including standard front seat-mounted side air bags and standard side-curtain air bags that cover passengers in all three rows, as well as all-new standard active head restraints. Electronic Stability Control also is standard. Other available safety and security technologies include Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Keyless Enter-n' Go.
The best part is, consumers will get all of the all-new Durango's capability, functionality and flexibility and still get excellent fuel efficiency. In fact, drivers can go more than 500 miles, that's the distance from San Diego to San Francisco or from Detroit to New York City, without having to stop for fuel.
Built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Mich., the new 2011 Dodge Durango arrives in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2010.


 

Charger Pursuit: cop car gets more sinister

Charger cop cars are imposing already, but the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit takes sinister to a whole new level, wrote Car and Driver. The police version provides additional clues about what the redesigned civilian Charger will look like when it hits the road later this year, Car and Driver noted. A police-spec photo further confirms the 2011 model will be a stylistic evolution of the current car, the magazine said. Compared with the outgoing Charger, Car and Driver detects a more pronounced shoulder line, a smoother transition from the haunched rear quarter panel to the body side, and a bit less fender gap above the rear wheels, the magazine reported. Police departments can start ordering the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit in September, the Detroit News said. The new cop car is based on the completely redesigned 2011 Charger. The Dodge Pursuit is rear-drive, which many police forces prefer, the newspaper said. The Charger Pursuit has been modified for police duty, and includes things like heavyduty anti-lock brakes, front and rear stabilizer bars, a two-mode police-specific stability control system and 18-inch performance tires on steel wheels, Autoblog.com said. Jalopnik.com said that the original Dodge Charger Pursuit is an aggressive, V8-powered "hound dog menacing criminals and speeders from Bangor to Burbank." The redesign shows off the new Charger's "meaner grill work and a two-tone getup" highlighting the new character lines aft of the front doors, Jalopnik.com said.

Reviewers like Dodge Caliber upgrades
The Dodge Caliber was a "pioneering example" of the small-tall car in the economy segment and offers the "best blend of horsepower and fuel economy," ScrippsNews reviewer Richard Williamson wrote. "Caliber really crossed categories in ways that other entry-level cars did not," Williamson said. The article said the Caliber stands-out in styling, versatility and its combination of power and fuel economy. New Orleans Times Picayune reviewer James Gaffney said the budget-minded Caliber has many features to appeal to the "midcareer demographic." Gaffney said upgraded fabric and overall front-seat comfort makes the Caliber a good choice for long-distance drives. The review cites additional creature comforts such as "cruise control, remote keyless entry, automatic door locks, airbags up the wazoo, ABS, tire pressure monitoring, power windows, illuminated cup holders, tilt steering column, rear 60/40 split reclining seats, 17-inch aluminum wheels, power heated mirrors and halogen headlamps."