|
|
   |
Jaguar and Land Rover spice things up but hold the curry
They may not be serving hamburgers at the corporate cookouts anymore, but luxury marques Jaguar and Land Rover still have the heart and soul of the British Isles. The 2008 purchase by India's largest automaker Tata is yet to be readily apparent and each luxury brand is still about two-thirds UK sourced and about one-fifth German.
Mopar Announces Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas
Say ÒI love youÓ With a Brand New Set of Slush Mats or a 572 Cubic-inch HEMI ¨ V-8 Engine That Generates 650 Horsepower and 660 lb.-ft of Torque
Auburn Hills, Mich. , Dec 2, 2009 -
If Santa wanted additional power and accessories for his ride, heÕd shop at www.mopar.com. Today Mopar ¨ announced its Top 10 list of holiday gift ideas for automotive enthusiasts.
ÒWhether youÕre looking to stuff a stocking or stuff a new motor into your vehicle, Mopar is the place to turn for automotive parts and accessories,Ó said Jim Sassorossi, Director of Mopar Parts, Sales and Marketing, Chrysler Group LLC. ÒWith more than 280,000 proven, quality-tested parts and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep ¨ , Dodge and Ram vehicles, we cover all of the main categories in the automotive aftermarket.Ó
Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas from Mopar
FLO TVª: Chrysler Group LLC is the first automaker in the U.S. to offer live, mobile TV with up to 20 channels including ESPN, CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, Fox News, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go, Nickelodeon and more. FLO TV will be available on Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles as a dealer-installed option. It may also be added to original-equipment entertainment systems on select 2008-2010 model-year vehicles. ManufacturerÕs Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $629 plus installation (late-December availability). A one-year pre-paid FLO TV subscription is included with installation.
Remote Start: Start the car from afar with Remote Start. From up to 300 feet away, drivers may start their vehicle and allow the engine to warm up and the interior of the vehicle to heat or cool based on the pre-set temperature. Remote Start is available on select Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles built from the 2008 model year through the 2010 model year. Depending on the vehicle, the MSRP ranges from $235 to $299, plus installation.
Uconnect Webª: This new level of wireless technology provides high-speed WiFi and hands-free 3G cellular connectivity. This industry-first system transforms the vehicle into a mobile Òhot spotÓ and provides instant access to web sites, e-mail, personalized music, online gaming, photo albums and more. The Òhot spotÓ connection radius is approximately 100 feet, making it convenient for all passengers to access the internet. MSRP: $499. The MSRP includes a holiday special $300 rebate when a two-year service agreement is activated. The offer is good through 12/31/2009.
Mopar Jeep Wrangler Lift Kits: This is for the Jeep Wrangler owner who wants to utilize larger tires. The kit allows the vehicle to wear 33-35-inch tires depending on lift height and enables even more serious off-roading duties to the already capable and iconic Jeep Wrangler. Lift kits are available for 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler models. MSRP ranges from $1,510 to $5,475
Cat-back Exhaust System: Features a free-flow system that provides gains in horsepower and torque, in addition to improved fuel economy and a deep-toned exhaust note. The system is available for 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and 2005-2008 Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. MSRP: $1,190
Mopar Stage 2 Coilover Suspension Kit: This performance kit, available on 2005-2009 Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, and 2008/2009 Dodge Challenger, utilizes cutting-edge technology born on the track and raised on the street. With struts constructed of stainless steel, the kit allows you to lower your vehicle within a specified range using adjustable spring perches to suit your driving needs. It is height-adjustable from 0 mm to 30 mm lower than factory, and includes fixed-valve dampers. MSRP: $1,750
410 Six Pack Crate Engine: MoparÕs 410 Stroker Small Block has all of the goods. It packs 470 horsepower and 490 lb.-ft. of torque into a 340 cubic-inch block. Basics include four bolt mains, aluminum heads and a high-lift camshaft. Topped with an aluminum Six Pack manifold, the engine is a perfect replacement for any 340 block. For cruise nights or a day at the drag strip, this engine delivers. MSRP: $13,070
New 572 Cubic-inch HEMI V-8 Engine: With 650 horsepower and 660 lb.-ft. of torque, this new monster engine is the centerpiece of MoparÕs crate engine program. It continues the heritage of the 1960Õs HEMI engines made popular in vehicles including the Plymouth Barracuda ÒHEMI ÔCudaÓ, Plymouth Satellite and Dodge Charger. MSRP: $18,300
Slush Mats: MoparÕs heavy-duty rubber mats protect the vehicleÕs carpet. Deep grooves prevent water, snow and mud from spilling on to the vehicleÕs carpeting, while its rubber-nibbed backing helps keep mats in place. MSRP: $50-$100, depending on vehicle.
Model HEMI Display Engine: Enjoy a plastic pre-assembled 426 HEMI 1:6 scale model that may be ordered at your local Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram store. MSRP: $41
About Mopar
Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source of all original equipment parts for Chrysler, Jeep, Ram and Dodge vehicles. Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered by the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles Ð a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide.
More Than 70 Years of Mopar
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It also was widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960Õs Ð the muscle-car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth Òpackage carsÓ equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of Òspecial partsÓ for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.
It all started on a frigid morning in downtown Detroit outside the North American International Auto Show in January, 2008. Anticipation was in the air (along with our frozen breath) as thousands of journalists eagerly waited for the thunderous roar that was coming around the corner.
Dodge decided to introduce the all-new Ram 1500 pickup to the world in unique fashion Ð a cattle drive through the streets of motor city. About one hundred longhorn steers escorted the new Dodge Ram to the press event.
Pickups have been extremely important to U.S. automakers as they historically account for the top sales and largest profits. Recent economic trends, however, have sought to undermine the efforts of Detroit's Big Three.
Pickups will always have a place in our society as they are the backbone of the working force. They tow, they haul, they carry all the junk we would not think of putting in our precious cars Ð they do the work nothing else can. Sales to the image crowd have decreased but the loyal truck owner will continue to purchase pickups.
To stay competitive, truck makers are adding more convenience and more comfort while addressing fuel economy issues as quickly as they can. Modern engines are producing more power than ever while at the same time edging up on the environmentally-friendly scale.
After a week in the new Ram (a fully-loaded TRX 4x4 Crew Cab model this time around), I find myself smitten.
The new Ram 1500 is a huge changeover from the previous model. Inside and out, Dodge has made significant enhancements and improvements.
And in a surprise move, engineers have changed the rear suspension design from leaf springs to coils Ð herecy to some truck aficionados Ð but the improved ride and handling will quickly silence many of the naysayers.
Seating is comfortable and spacious, and the power is riotous Ð nearly as much as we enjoyed in the hotrod SRT-8 Challenger.
Our tester came with the new unique RamBox option that puts cargo bed-length lockable storage compartments in the top of the bedsides. They feature adjustable dividers and drain plugs and are even illuminated.
The new styling is a bold move as well. Dodge has moved from the "big rig" look of recent years and is taking design cues from the front fascia of the Dodge Charger, kind of like a running back lowering his head and shoulders as he prepares to "charge" through the line of scrimmage.
Segment-first features of the new Ram include: solid axle, coil spring, multi-link rear suspension; versatile cargo management system including unique RamBox weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins; store-in-the-floor bins with removable liners; factory-installed 4-inch dual exhaust; live Sirius Backseat TV"! and surround-sound audio system and Dodge Ram's first crew-sized cab model.
A new 5.7-liter HEMI (with MDS cylinder deactivation technology) provides 390 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque, with 20 miles per gallon highway (4x2 models, 18 on 4x4s) and 0-60 mph times of under 6 seconds.
All-new interiors feature significantly upgraded materials and nearly double the storage options to 42, while 35 safety and security features, including standard four-wheel anti-lock braking system and Electronic Stability Program, are thrown in for good measure.
We love the new Dodge for its styling (inside and out) and onroad handling, but when made to work like a truck it began showing some slight weaknesses when stacked up against the likes of the new F-150. We admire the new RamBox storage as quite unique and useful. However, when matched up against the Ford's new tailgate step and boxside step, we give the nod to the Ford in this category as well.
Pricing for our Ram 1500 TRX 4x4 Crew Cab tester starts at $35,100 with our loaded model coming in at nearly 46 grand thanks to a bunch of extra goodies including 115 volt auxiliary power, ParkSense rear park assist and ParkView rear back-up camera, 506-watt Alpine audio system with HDD, remote start, power sunroof and navigation system.
