Detroit Auto Show Unleashes 2012 Chrysler 300
Flooding the media outlets with its “Imported From Detroit” campaign, Chrysler stormed into the Detroit Auto Show and unveiled the 2012 Chrysler 300. This historic American car is looking to remake history by retuning, re-mastering, and reengineering the automobile that placed them at the top of American automotive design.
These 2012 300 models are set to take center stage in Chrysler showrooms nationwide this fall with many new updates from the 2011 model. Under the hood, Chrysler has added an all new transmission and engine choice. On the exterior and interior, they have made updates to the wheels, grille, audio system, steering column and seating areas.
The 2012 Chrysler 300 will boast a new transmission that will provide drivers with a sporty feel while providing silky smooth transition between gears. The eight-speed automatic is licensed from the German power train ZF. The all new 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine will also be released in the 2012 model. This engine boasts 292 horse power and enough torque to accelerate from 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds.
Other performance features include the Adaptive Damping Suspension system that uses a variety of inputs to automatically adjust the suspension depending on the road conditions. A specially-tuned fully-hydraulic steering system for better driving feel, revised gearing and a new BREMBO braking system has also been added to these 2012 models. To top it off highway fuel economy has been improved by approximately 25% due to an active valve exhaust system and Chrysler’s Fuel Saver technology.
On the exterior, Chrysler has added some cosmetic tweaks that include body colored accents in the front fascia; a unique black chrome black grille insert with matching black adaptive bi-xenon HID and LED headlamps with SmartBeam technology. This performance tuned machine is also equipped with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels with black painted accents.
Chrysler has also updated the interior by treating its drivers to studio quality sound technology with a 10-speaker, 522-watt audio system developed by Beats by Dr. Dre. Also included in the redesigned interior are piano black cloth interior trim, 12-way power sport bucket seats in the front of the vehicle.
These 2012 V-6 300s are also available with a luxury package that includes; premium Nappa leather trim, a heated steering wheel, power tilt and telescoping steering column, heated and cooled cup holders, satin chrome door still accents, LED footwell accent lighting, and a programmable memory function for mirrors, seats, and pedal settings.
The all new 2012 Chrysler 300 brings together a rare combination of superior safety features, sporty exterior, and elegant interior as it tries to place itself back as the top of the line in American automotive design. These “Imported From Detroit” vehicles have surely captured the focus of drivers and competitors worldwide. Chrysler has definitely placed itself back on the automotive map.
Jaguar Reinvents XJ220 As Stunning New R8 Beater
Exciting news for Jaguar fans this week, as Britain’s Auto Express magazine revealed that the company is planning to reinvent the legendary XJ220. The magazine, well-regarded for its new car scoops, claims a dramatic new mid-engined sports car is being developed by Jaguar as a rival to the Audi R8.
While the concept is denied by Jaguar, the magazine claims that the car will make its debut at a major international motor show within the next 18 months – indicating that plans must already be well advanced. In a nod to the marque’s iconic E-Type, the two-seater is tipped to be badged the XE, heralding a return to a more raw, sporting side of Jaguar’s heritage.
However this isn’t the first Jaguar concept thought to be set for the badge. Last year it was speculated that it would adorn a Porsche Boxster-rivalling baby coupe-convertible that would sit below the XK in the range.
Plans for an R8 rival would mark another big step in the company’s revival of its dated model range.
XFR breaks record
The revelation comes as the sports version of Jaguar’s new XF model has smashed the company’s speed record.
In a graphic demonstration of the progress made in car design and engineering since the 1990s, an uprated four-door XFR saloon hit a top speed of 225.675 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, going even faster than the 217.1mph record set by the XJ220.
Rumours are that the minor developments to the showroom XFR that boosted the car to the record will debut on the road as a hotter XFR S model.
With a price that will undercut significantly the BMW M5, the flagship XFR is set to be a tough package to beat at the top of the executive saloon sector.
Looking ahead
Jaguar had a mixed year in 2008, launching the widely-praised new XF model and seeing UK sales rise by nine percent while many other luxury car brands faced a sales slump.
But this success was overshadowed by news towards the end of the year of extended shut downs at the company’s Castle Bromwich plant and job losses. With the company’s current focus on developing its new XK and XF models, as well as launching an all-new luxury XJ saloon due in 2010, the XE is not likely to be seen in the showrooms before 2012.
Very Comfortable New Concept Cars From Nissan and Toyota
In the recent years of vehicle trends, it seems like everyone is into eco-friendly vehicles such as hybrids and all electric cars. Americans cannot get enough of the mediocre looking Prius. They pee in their pants just thinking about the new all electric Nissan Leaf. But what about all the driving enthusiasts out there who wish they could drive a fun sports car that was both riveted by powerful performance and looked dead sexy? Both Nissan and Toyota have put their thinking caps on and came up with a couple exciting new concept cars for the future. Prius haters rejoice! You can still look good and be eco-friendly at the same time when driving these vehicles:
1) Nissan ESFLOW Electric Sports Car-it looks like a sports car and drives like a sports car, but it has one key difference-it’s all electric. The ESFLOW is powered by the same technology used in the Nissan Leaf. The ESFLOW is a pure electric vehicle with zero emissions, has two electric motors and lithium ion batteries. With the new ESFLOW, no sacrifices need to be made to drive an ecological car. You get everything you want out of this eco-friendly sports car-an attractive sleek look, sporty performance and friendly to the environment.
2) Nissan Townpod Concept. After seeing the new 2011 Juke, it isn’t shocking to see Nissan developing the most unique looking concept vehicles in the market today. Take a look at the Nissan Townpod Concept, a car that looks more like a toy than an actual vehicle. Nissan notices that there are more people today who work from home and do not have fixed hours or regimented schedules. Their business life and social life tend to blend together. As such, Nissan believes “their personal transportation must be equally multifaceted.” The Townpod will combine the “comfort and style of a passenger car with the businesslike utility of a commercial vehicle.” This will also be a zero emission vehicle.
3) Toyota FT-HS. Toyota’s concept FT-HS combines hybrid powertrain with sports car fundamentals. In order to come up with a “suitable sports car for the 21st century” Toyota developed the FT-HS concept, a hybrid sports car that is powered by a V6 3.5L engine and coupled with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive that produces 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range.
1) Nissan ESFLOW Electric Sports Car-it looks like a sports car and drives like a sports car, but it has one key difference-it’s all electric. The ESFLOW is powered by the same technology used in the Nissan Leaf. The ESFLOW is a pure electric vehicle with zero emissions, has two electric motors and lithium ion batteries. With the new ESFLOW, no sacrifices need to be made to drive an ecological car. You get everything you want out of this eco-friendly sports car-an attractive sleek look, sporty performance and friendly to the environment.
2) Nissan Townpod Concept. After seeing the new 2011 Juke, it isn’t shocking to see Nissan developing the most unique looking concept vehicles in the market today. Take a look at the Nissan Townpod Concept, a car that looks more like a toy than an actual vehicle. Nissan notices that there are more people today who work from home and do not have fixed hours or regimented schedules. Their business life and social life tend to blend together. As such, Nissan believes “their personal transportation must be equally multifaceted.” The Townpod will combine the “comfort and style of a passenger car with the businesslike utility of a commercial vehicle.” This will also be a zero emission vehicle.
3) Toyota FT-HS. Toyota’s concept FT-HS combines hybrid powertrain with sports car fundamentals. In order to come up with a “suitable sports car for the 21st century” Toyota developed the FT-HS concept, a hybrid sports car that is powered by a V6 3.5L engine and coupled with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive that produces 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range.