Chrysler today sent out a press release on the new 2013 Dodge Dart, a car that impressed me quite a bit when I saw it at both the Detroit and Pittsburgh auto shows. It's a sharp-looking car, and it looks like Chrysler isn't fooling around when it comes to equipment. Here's the breakdown.
The base model Dart SE stickers for just a hair under $16,000, and includes 10 airbags, ABS, power windows, an AM/FM/6-disc CD changer with MP3 playback, a six-way adjustable driver's seat and soft-touch materials all around. Powertrain is a 2.0L DOHC four making 160HP and 148lb-ft torque, eclipsing its crosstown rivals the Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus rather easily.
The SXT model will set you back another 2 grand, but that gets you power locks and mirrors, AC, 17" wheels, security system, and the option of a 1.4L turbo four which makes the same horsepower as the 2.0L unit (160) but makes almost 40lb-ft more torque. Combined with the 6-speed manual transmission, this could be the engine of choice for enthusiasts.
The Rallye and Limited models add even more equipment, including the 7-inch reconfigurable LCD dash panel, which can display all manner of information and offers a variety of options to customize the appearance of your dash. The Rallye comes in at 18 grand, the Limited just under 20 thousand.
The top of the line R/T will set you back $22,500, but with it you get the 2.4L "Tigershark" four cylinder. This engine makes 184HP and 171 lb-ft of torque, and the R/T comes with all the bells and whistles--stuff like Nappa leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and just about all the stuff on the lower trim levels.
You can check out all the details for yourself on Dodge's website, here.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Happy Easter!
I'd like to take a minute to wish everyone in the Downshift community (all four of you) a happy Easter holiday.
I'd also like to talk a bit about Easter eggs. Not the kind that rabbits lay around your house--..wait, what do you mean rabbits don't lay eggs? ....Meh, whatever. Anyway, I'm talking about the kind the people hide in things. Little extra bits and secrets and the like most common in software development. Like the flight simulator they hid in MS Excel '97, or all the little bits and bobs hidden throughout the Grand Theft Auto series of video games.
But how many cars do you know of have Easter eggs hidden in them? Not many that I know of. I remember hearing Ford's 6.2L V8 has "THE BOSS IS BACK" stamped in the valley between the Vs, under the intake manifold. That counts, I think. Many cars have non-defeatable traction control systems that actually CAN be switched off with an elaborate manipulation of the car's controls.
A part of me kinda likes stuff like that, but a part of me wonders why they felt they had to hide it in the first place.
I'd also like to talk a bit about Easter eggs. Not the kind that rabbits lay around your house--..wait, what do you mean rabbits don't lay eggs? ....Meh, whatever. Anyway, I'm talking about the kind the people hide in things. Little extra bits and secrets and the like most common in software development. Like the flight simulator they hid in MS Excel '97, or all the little bits and bobs hidden throughout the Grand Theft Auto series of video games.
But how many cars do you know of have Easter eggs hidden in them? Not many that I know of. I remember hearing Ford's 6.2L V8 has "THE BOSS IS BACK" stamped in the valley between the Vs, under the intake manifold. That counts, I think. Many cars have non-defeatable traction control systems that actually CAN be switched off with an elaborate manipulation of the car's controls.
A part of me kinda likes stuff like that, but a part of me wonders why they felt they had to hide it in the first place.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
NYC Auto Show: 2014 Chevy Impala
No screwing around, here it is.
First, look at it. I have to echo the sentiments of the Gawker boys--it's a damn good looking car. The front end has some of that classic American aggression, and you can see a shadow of the Camaro's hips in the rear quarter panels. It's a sculpted, purposeful design that, in that dark Imperial Blue, makes the car look very classy. Inside it's much of the same--the dash looks great and as the car is based on GM's Super Epsilon II, it should be very roomy.
Unfortunately things start to fall apart in powertrain. First, it's still front wheel drive. Second, the two base market engines are underpowered (a 195HP 2.5L four or 182HP 2.4L four with eAssist stop-start tech). At least the top level engine has plenty of grunt--GM's now ubiquitous 3.6L V6 making 303 HP.
Overall I'd call it a mixed bag. They positively nailed the styling, but the powertrain is a big fail for me--much like the Caddy XTS it's based on. While I'm betting more people will buy this one thanks to its dashing good looks, I'll be willing to bet after the first couple years, the majority of these cars will once again have Hertz license plates.
First, look at it. I have to echo the sentiments of the Gawker boys--it's a damn good looking car. The front end has some of that classic American aggression, and you can see a shadow of the Camaro's hips in the rear quarter panels. It's a sculpted, purposeful design that, in that dark Imperial Blue, makes the car look very classy. Inside it's much of the same--the dash looks great and as the car is based on GM's Super Epsilon II, it should be very roomy.
Unfortunately things start to fall apart in powertrain. First, it's still front wheel drive. Second, the two base market engines are underpowered (a 195HP 2.5L four or 182HP 2.4L four with eAssist stop-start tech). At least the top level engine has plenty of grunt--GM's now ubiquitous 3.6L V6 making 303 HP.
Overall I'd call it a mixed bag. They positively nailed the styling, but the powertrain is a big fail for me--much like the Caddy XTS it's based on. While I'm betting more people will buy this one thanks to its dashing good looks, I'll be willing to bet after the first couple years, the majority of these cars will once again have Hertz license plates.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
They Changed It, Now It Sucks: NYC Taxi Edition
In yet another example of whiny crybabies complaining for no good reason, we have the NY Auto Show and the official public unveiling of the new New York City taxi--the Nissan NV200. The NV200 is a small, 4-cylinder minivan. It has lots of space in back. It has antimicrobial seats and an odor-absorbing headliner. It has a huge skylight in the roof so tourists can gawk at the big buildings. There's a disabled-accesible version coming soon and the small van is smaller and more fuel-efficient than the aged Crown Victoria it's replacing.
And the haterade is flowing freely. The complaints are typical. "They should've kept the Crown Victoria!" Um, hello? Ford stopped building it. "It's not American!" The Ford Transit Connect was in the running, but lost out to the Nissan. "It's ugly!" Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? It's a CAB, not a fashion statement.
Look, if you're upset because the deal was most likely secured in a backroom deal with Mayor Bloomberg that likely involved a massive kickback, I'm fine with that (because that's probably what actually happened, given the environment). But if you're just whining because it's not a Vic, please just stop talking. Half these morons don't even LIVE in New York, nor will they ever go there. So what flipping difference does it make to you? It's like complaining about the ties that the waiters at that fancy nightclub wear when you can't even pay the cover charge.
The fact is that for that city, the NV200 is better at doing the job than the Crown Vic ever was. It'll save thousands of gallons of gas and probably a few miles of roadway (the NV200 is considerably shorter than the Vic) It's probably cheaper, too. So quit whining.
And the haterade is flowing freely. The complaints are typical. "They should've kept the Crown Victoria!" Um, hello? Ford stopped building it. "It's not American!" The Ford Transit Connect was in the running, but lost out to the Nissan. "It's ugly!" Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? It's a CAB, not a fashion statement.
Look, if you're upset because the deal was most likely secured in a backroom deal with Mayor Bloomberg that likely involved a massive kickback, I'm fine with that (because that's probably what actually happened, given the environment). But if you're just whining because it's not a Vic, please just stop talking. Half these morons don't even LIVE in New York, nor will they ever go there. So what flipping difference does it make to you? It's like complaining about the ties that the waiters at that fancy nightclub wear when you can't even pay the cover charge.
The fact is that for that city, the NV200 is better at doing the job than the Crown Vic ever was. It'll save thousands of gallons of gas and probably a few miles of roadway (the NV200 is considerably shorter than the Vic) It's probably cheaper, too. So quit whining.
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