Straightline

Yesterday's marathon Chrysler-Fiat press conference/coming-out party wasn't entirely about EBITA and acknowledging the shortcomings of the Sebring.

Ralph Gilles, the Dodge brand's new boss, laid an Easter egg hunt on the assembled dealers, bankers and journalists. What you see above is a shot of the 2012 Dodge Charger that appeared briefly on the screen during Gilles' talk.

Gilles provided no details on the upcoming full-size rear-drive sedan, but it's obvious from the photo above that the next Charger will be a more expressive, sculpted design that draws inspiration from its historic namesake. Of course, the Charger will still be a four-door, but the sharp-edged line, rising from the front door to the tip of he rear is, well, Charger-esque. It looks a little like the four-door Charger concept vehicle of several years ago--at least from this angle.

What do we know about the platform? Only that it's an update of the existing LX platform that, if we remember correctly, Sergio Marchionne said cost so much to create that it would "shock your pants off." So there's that.

The new Pentastar 3.6-liter engine, which debuts in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee in the middle of next year, will be the volume engine, with a Hemi V8 as the upgrade. Something tells us it won't be offered with the Fiat 500's 1.4 Multiair mill.

Reporting by Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

Categories: Classic Cars,Coupes,Dodge,Future Vehicles,Sedans

Official pricing details on the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi were released by the company today. Base models will start at $19,734 including destination fees. The midgrade Kizashi SE model, which the company expects to sell in the highest volumes, will start at $22,234 with destination.

At the higher end of the lineup, the Kizashi GTS will go for $23,234 while the SLS will start at $25,149. Suzuki said it expects to have the Kizashi in showrooms next month.

Full Test: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
  

Categories: Sedans,Suzuki

And the great plan for the underwhelming car known as the Chrysler Sebring? The ribs will be removed from the hood during a mid-cycle refresh slated for the fourth-quarter of 2011 2010.

We say it's going to take more than a smooth hood to make that dog hunt. A mercy killing seems more appropriate here, and we expect that to happen in the 2012-2013 timeframe when Chrysler-Fiat introduces a D-segment sedan to replace the Dodge Avenger, the Sebring's twin.

Reporting by Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit 

Categories: Auto Industry,Chrysler,Fiat,Sedans

Spy photographers caught the first full-fledged prototype for the next-generation BMW 3 Series being trailered between development labs in Munich, Germany. Based on the 7-year gap between the E46 BMW 3 Series (1999) and E90 3 Series (2006) sedans, we're likely looking at either the 2012 or 2013 BMW 3 Series sedan here.

Although 3 Series mules have been on the scene for a while, this prototype is believed to have all of the final styling hiding beneath the camouflage. As on the next-gen BMW 5 Series, the redesign appears to a be a conservative one. The front end appears broader, though, and the car seems to have a slightly wider track and a longer wheelbase and body.

Second photo is after the jump.

Continue reading Spy Photos: Next-Generation BMW 3 Series.

Categories: BMW,Luxury Cars,Sedans,Spy Photos

Arguably the most likeable car in the current Dodge lineup, the Challenger will live on in the new Dodge car brand, receiving only a minor refresh in 2011.

The Dodge Caliber, on the other hand, will dead by 2012 (new interior notwithstanding apparently). It will be replaced by a compact Fiat-based sedan and a small B-segment car produced by Fiat and imported to the U.S. A Fiat-based C-segment sedan is also in the works.

The Dodge Avenger will get a new interior and an engine of unspecified size and horsepower (though just about anything would be better than the current offerings) in the fourth quarter of 2010. Exterior styling will be made less offensive, and there will be better NVH control in the cabin. However, this is a just a stopgap, as a new D-segment sedan will replace it sometime in 2012 or 2013.

Even more important is the refresh coming for the Dodge Grand Caravan, which is still one of the most recognizable nameplates in the Dodge brand. The DGC gets a new interior, a refreshed exterior, a retuned suspension, a new engine and improved NVH control.

Finally, an all-new 7-passenger crossover is coming, too, and it will exist along side the Grand Caravan and Dodge Journey.

Reporting by Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

Categories: Chrysler,Coupes,Crossovers,Dodge,Fiat,Hatchbacks,Minivans,Sedans

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

With the base 3.7-liter V6 engine, the Lincoln MKS is a pretty ordinary luxury car with an uncomfortably large price tag. In our full test of an all-wheel-drive 2009 MKS, we came up with a 7.5-second 0-to-60-mph time (7.2 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a dragstrip) and a 15.4-second quarter-mile at 90 mph. These are hardly the numbers of an elite luxury sedan, and the fact that the engine feels and sounds strained while moving the 4,300-pound MKS certainly doesn't help.

But Ford's twin-turbocharged and direct-injected, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, newly available for 2010, is supposed to change all that. If you've seen the Loveland Pass advertorial, you know that this is trumpeted as the V6 engine of tomorrow -- the one that performs like a V8 without the fuel economy penalty.

Frankly, it better perform like a V8. The EcoBoost option is only available on AWD versions of the 2010 Lincoln MKS, and it adds $5,000 to the price tag right off the bat. Additionally, our fully loaded MKS EcoBoost tester has the $3,500 Ultimate Package (Rapid Spec 201A), which includes a dual-pane sunroof, hard-drive-based navigation with real-time traffic and weather, plus a rearview camera; and a THX 5.1 surround-sound audio system. It also has the EcoBoost Appearance package ($2,995), which provides 20-inch chrome wheels and all sorts of additional flair inside and out, plus adaptive cruise control with collision mitigation ($1,310) and active parking assist ($535). Total damage? $56,625. That easily puts it in the price territory of the Mercedes-Benz E550 and Jaguar XF. Granted, the EcoBoost V6 works miracles in the Ford Flex, but that wagon only costs $40K.

We didn't attempt a hill climb in our Lincoln MKS EcoBoost, but we did take it to the Inside Line test track. Follow the jump to see how it did.

Continue reading IL Track Tested: 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost.

Categories: IL Track Tested,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,Sedans

GM has decided to delay the launch of the 2011 Cruze compact sedan until late next summer to ensure quality according to a report in the Detroit News. The car is already on sale in other world markets.

According to GM's spokesman, the delay "will give GM time to produce all variations of Cruze models." We assume he means all the engine, transmission, options variations for the Chevrolet Cruze sedan.

Detroit News: Launch of GM's Cruze dalayed 3 months

Categories: Chevrolet,Future Vehicles,Sedans

Audi's biggest and most expensive sedan has been on the market for too long. Sure, it still looks as good, or better, than its competition, but it's a little behind in the technology and power department.

This prototype of the 2011 Audi A8 was caught testing at the Nurburgring recently. It's scheduled for a official debut in the next few months, but this test mule gives a pretty good idea of what it will look like.

Power will continue to come from a V8 in standard models and a W12 on the top-of-the-line version. An aluminum spaceframe chassis will form the structure and quattro all-wheel drive will remain standard as well.

Look for the official debut of the 2011 Audi A8 at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Spy Video: 2011 Audi A8 on the Nurburgring

Categories: Audi,Detroit Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Luxury Cars,Sedans,Spy Photos

Volkswagen released this official sketch of its upcoming midsize sedan. It will be built in the company's new Tennessee assembly plant and be slightly larger than the current Passat.

Like most sketches, this one makes the upcoming sedan look all sporty and stuff. But if history is any indication, the car that arrives next year won't be anything like this, save for the grille and maybe the shape of the C-pillar.

We'll see soon enough as this car may very well show up at the L.A. Auto Show in early December in not in Detroit a month later.
 

Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Future Vehicles,LA Auto Show,Sedans,Spy Photos,Volkswagen

We're just a week away from Chrysler's big strategy meeting where it will roll out its product plans for the next few years. Part of that plan will be a new Chrysler 300C and this test mule is the fist indication of some progress with the program. 

There's not much to see here as most of this prototype wears current sheetmetal and SRT trim, but the camouflage over the front end likely means there's some sort of engine testing going on with a new front fascia.

Will the Hemi V8 remain? Probably, but the next-generation 300C will likely put more emphasis on smaller engines given the stricter fuel economy standards on the way, not to mention the fact that this 300 may underpin some Alfa Romeo and Lancia sedans in Europe.

We'll have more details next week, but it looks like Chrysler is still moving ahead, for now.

Categories: Chrysler,Luxury Cars,Sedans,Spy Photos

There's been a change of plans for the Cadillac CTS-V challenge scheduled for Thursday. Jaguar originally said it would provide a XFR for journalists to drive, but has now backed out over safety concerns according to company spokesman Stuart Schorr. That leaves a field of just two challengers for now -- an Audi RS4 and a BMW M5.

In response to the sudden departure of the XFR, Bob Lutz told a GM fan site the following:

"I think it means that the European high-performance sedans are excellent, even superb cars, but quite possibly not ready for racing laps right out of the show-room. The CTS-V is not only quicker, but will, in totally untweaked, stock form, run hot laps at any race track until it runs out of fuel. Transmission oil and diff oil temps are stable, engine oil temp doesn't go up, brakes get a bit more pedal travel, but don't fade. The street tires get a tad greasy, but handling and control remain excellent. "May the best car win"! (It wins automatically if the competitors won't show up!)"

The GMSource

Categories: Audi,Auto Industry,BMW,Cadillac,Consumer Track Events,Jaguar,Luxury Cars,Sedans

We must admit, we figured Ford would be spreading great heaps of 2010 Taurus SHOs around SEMA like grass seed. Not so much. Ford has revealed only two SHOs that it gave to two Detroit-area tuners.

Ford first went to Mobsteel in Brighton, Michigan, which went full comic-book villain on the big sedan. No surprise we suppose, since Mobsteel specializes in mean-looking, black-wearing, low-riding '60s Lincoln Continentals. For the SHO, the Mobsteel team dropped the SHO with Air Runner front struts and Mobsteel adjustable rear air ride suspension. The team bolted on 22-inch wheels wearing Pirelli PZero Nero tires. Then they painted everything black, and we do mean everything. Mobsteel says it anticipates the SHOs EcoBoost V6 can be tuned to about 420 horsepower.

The other SHO went to former Ford employee, Scott Hoag, who is now owner of MRT-Direct in Plymouth, Michigan. Hoag went for more of a subtle approach than Mobsteel. His SHO gets a coat of candle-apple red paint, a new hood, tasteful body kit. The body is lowered a bit on a stiffer suspension, a new exhaust system is added and "increased performance is achieved through turbo system efficiencies." How much the performance is increased, Ford isn't saying. Nice looking ride though that's not likely to be mistaken for a standard Taurus as the stock SHO often is.

Categories: Ford,SEMA Show,Sedans,Tuners and Modifications

The Bob Lutz/Cadillac CTS-V smackdown/stunt planned for this Thursday at the Monticello Motor Club in upstate New York, will follow a simple five-lap format.

Each competitor, chosen by General Motors to take on Bob Lutz and the Cadillac CTS-V, will receive five consecutive laps of the course. So subtracting an out-lap and a cool-down lap, each competitor, of which there will be about 10 total, will receive three flying laps. The quickest single lap at the end of the day will decide the winner. There will apparently be no second-chance round.

The schedule of events looks like this (all times are Eastern):
8:30 am-11:30 am -- Track opens for practice
11:30 am-11:45 am -- Introductions, driver meeting, etc.
11:45 am-1:00 pm -- lunch
1:00 pm-2:30 pm -- timed laps

May the best Cadillac CTS-V, er, car win.

Categories: Cadillac,Consumer Track Events,Luxury Cars,Motorsports,Sedans

According to a report in Automotive News, Honda is refocusing its future product plan with an even greater emphasis on reduced weight and improved mileage. Yes, this from a company that already boasts one of the most efficient fleets on the market. Such are the demands of the upcoming fuel mileage standards in the U.S.

The next-generation Honda Civic was the first car to see changes under the new plan. Instead of getting slightly bigger as planned, the redesigned Civic has actually become smaller than the current model. Honda also plans to add more hybrid cars to its lineup and may even develop fully electric cars, a strategy it previously considered unnecessary.

Automotive News

Categories: Auto Industry,Coupes,Future Vehicles,Honda,Hybrids,Sedans,Trends

Late last Friday, Cadillac unveiled its short list of participants in the CTS-V challenge. After receiving over 100 entries, the Cadillac brain trust narrowed the field down to three journalists and four consumers.

Cadillac provided brief descriptions of the four consumers and their cars while the journalists were also given token summaries. Cadillac says it may add additional entrants later, but the contest is Thursday, so assume this is the list for now.

Who would you put your money on to beat Bob Lutz?

Consumers:
Tom - Audi RS4
Michael C. - BMW M3
Michael M. - BMW M5
Chris - Cadillac CTS-V

Journalists:
Wes Siler - Jaguar XFR
Jack Baruth - Jaguar XFR
Lawrence Ulrich - TBD

Categories: Cadillac,Celebrities,Consumer Track Events,Luxury Cars,Sedans