Barrett Jackson 08: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 #1

Following along the lines of the Corvette ZR1 and Shelby Gt500KR. Dodge decided to offer the first 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 to be sold to the public at the Barrett Jackson collector auction. And 100% of the proceeds going to charity. The winning bidder can spec out the car to their liking with options and color and get a host of added bonuses from Dodge including a weekend trip to the cars official launch. Bidding stalled at $350,000 before being bid up to $375,000 by auction CEO Craig Jackson. The final bid came in for an even $400,000 with the money going to the NotMyKid charity which helps children with a host of issues. It was definitely on the light side compaired to the other cars offered. Maybe it was because there were so many cars with proceeds going to charity. Either way NotMyKid has to be happy as $400,000 can go a long way.

Barrett Jackson 08: 1969 Dodge Charger "Bo's General Lee"

In a stunt so cool that not even George Barris could steal the thunder of. John Schneider a.k.a Bo Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard rolled his personal General Lee 1969 Dodge Charger on to the block of Barrett Jackson. With two blasts of dixie from the General's air horns Bo Climbed out(through the window) and showed the crowd he could still do a running jump back into the car. Bo then climbed up on to the roof with mike in hand asking if anyone knew the dusenberg or thunderbird songs before breaking out in "Just a good ol' boys" with ALL of the audience singing along ending with Yee Haa! Brings a tear to any car enthusiasts eye. Bo's General Lee packed with a Hemi motor making over 600hp backed by a built up torqueflight automatic, 4 wheel discs, tuned suspension, roll bar, push bar, American Racing wheels, and perfect General Lee grapics. This General also served duty in Dukes go to Hollywood, the last original cast Dukes movie, as well as some of John Schneider's produced movies. When the gavel fell, the General raised $450,000. Most going to the Cure Autism Now charity.

Barrett Jackson 08: 2009 Corvette ZR1 $1,000,000!

This just in. The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 serial #1. The First customer retailable car has just sold for $1,000,000 to Mr. David Ressler. Not only will he get the first ZR1, but his car will also be the only one sold in LeMans Blue. As part of the package he has the choice to watch the car be built and have delivery at the Bowling Green Kentucky factory, or take delivery in Jay Leno's garage in Los Angeles California. He will also receive a 3 day driving experience at Bondurant Racing School, an autographed design sketch of the car, autographed engine cover, all press materials, and all ZR1 memoribilia. Awesome package.

Detroit 2008: VW Passat CC

Move over Mercedes, there's a new kid on the block......again. Volkswagen is going to give it another go with the luxury car market with the new up scale Passat CC. inspired by the lines of the Mercedes Benz CLS, which is also this car's chief competitor.

Styling is distinctly Volkswagen, with a nice mix of Audi flair. Definitely a nice place car if you want to jump from the Passat to the Audi A6. Four door coupe styling with pillarless doors. A drastically sloping roof line leads into a short trunk overhang. But don't let that fool you. The trunk is spacious, and big enough for golf clubs.

The Passat CC will feature a three engine choices. A 3.6 liter FSI V6 with 300hp. A 2.0 TSI with 200hp. And lastly the baby motor, the 1.8 liter TSI with 160hp.

Also a first for Volkswagen are three new drive systems. Lane Assist, which is entirely new will countersteer the car if an unintentional lane change takes place. It will cancel itself out if the turn signals is used.

Dynamic Drive Control allows for instant chassis adjustment. A the quick turn of a switch. The drive can select from three different chassis settings. "Normal", "Sport" and "Comfort". Each setting adjusts the suspension and power steering settings depending on the driver's tastes.

Lastly comes Park Assist. This is Volkswagen's adaptation of the same program offered by Lexus. This will guide the Passat CC into a parking spot without any driver interference other than gas and brake control.

This makes for one of the most technologically advanced VWs ever produced. Look for the Passat CC in showrooms later this year.

Source: Volkswagen.

Detroit 2008: Audi R8 V12 TDI

The Audi R8 has been receiving lots of press and just as many awards recently. And it gets our vote for sexiest car ever built. It's hard to believe that Audi could find a way to top their super car. But they did find a way. Behold the R8 V12 TDI. Yes TDI as in Diesel. Audi took a page from their American LeMans success to combine sports cars with diesel power.

Audi took the 6.0 liter V12 used in last years Q7 concept car from last year and stuffed it into the R8 super car. This R8 has 500 horses on tap while the V8 version stops at 420. Though where the R8 V12 TDI shines is torque. All 738 lb ft of them. This enables the R8 V12 to roar to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. With a top speed of 186 mph. Being a super car, you'd figure it would get horrible gas mileage. Wrong. 23mpg, that's really impressive for any car in this class. Top that with Audi's Quattro full time all wheel drive and it makes one superb handling car.

The front bumper has been redesigned and looks awesome. And how about the glass roof with built in air scoop to feed air to the motor.

Now this is a concept car, though it certainly looks good enough and feasible enough to be a production car. Hopefully Audi won't wait too long to decide to produce this bad boy.

Source: Audi.

U.S. VW Factory? "Ja. Ve Vill Do Zis"

It's official. Volkswagen will have another go at making cars in the United States. Execs from VW have recently been saying that they might consider looking into the idea of a new plant. And the answer has finally came back as "Ja. We will do this". The current plan is be making cars here by 2011. They will build a large scale plant, which will produce vehicles for both the United States and Europe. Though a location has not been selected as of yet. Locations in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina are rumored to be "in play" as a factory site.

One site in Rocky Mount, NC would centrally locate the factory between the new Volkswagen Group of America headquarters in Virginia and several suppliers that also work with BMW and their Spartanburg, South Carolina factory.

The Rocky Mount property could close as early as the end of the month. The farmer who owns most of the property does not know who the interested party is, only that they're German.



Look for more details as they come to light.





Source: Automotive News.

Detroit 2008: Dodge Rampede the 2009 Ram Intro

We reported several weeks about Chrysler's plans for the Ram introduction. It involved the herding of a stampede of cattle in front of Cobo Hall using the redesigned 2009 Dodge Ram. Chrysler and the City of Detroit kept very quiet about what was going to happen. But it happened. And only Chrysler could pull it off. 115 long horn cattle along with cowboys and Sheriff Jim Press, Marshal Bob Nardelli, and Bandit Tom LaSorda made sure everything was in order.

For the first time, Chrysler execs announced that the Ram will be offered with a Hybrid option that will be "available soon" in 2010. Three new engines will be available. A new 380hp 5.7 liter V8, 310hp 4.7 liter V8 and lastly a 215hp 3.7liter V6. A six speed manual and 4 and 5 speed automatic transmissions will be available. Along with revised gear ratios of 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 or 4.10. This allows for a Ram that can go from 0-60 in 7 seconds. When properly optioned. Another first will be a light duty diesel engine due to arrive sometime in 2009 or shortly after.

An entirely new multi link coil spring rear suspension is utilized rather than the typical leaf springs. Now while this may concern those of you who do a lot of towing. Don't worry, towing capacity is not affected by the change. 1,840 pounds for payload and a whopping 9,100 pounds for towing.

There is storage a plenty in the 09 Ram's bed. The It now features an available RamBox cargo management system that places storage bins within the bed rails that are weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable. Ala the Chevy Avalanche, though much larger. Ram Crew 1500 models can also be had with a pair of "store in the floor" bins that can hold up to ten cans of pop, beer or what have you. This is similar to Sto n' Go from the Caravan.

The Ram's new interior makes it easy to forget that you're driving a truck. everything is laid out right at your fingertips and very easy to use. The exterior styling is very classy for a truck. It's nice to see some sharper corners for a change rather than all the rounded bulbous looks we're seeing on many trucks.

The 2009 Dodge Ram will hit show rooms this fall.

Source: Dodge

PRESS RELEASE:

Dodge Unleashes Game-changer Into Truck Market

All-new 2009 Dodge Ram Breaks From the Herd

All-new, bold, powerful, "get-out-of-the-way" Dodge Ram design

New, aggressive "grille-forward" design

First-in-segment chrome-tipped dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper

Best-in-class aerodynamics – an estimated .422 Cd

Dodge Ram's first-ever crew cab, giving Dodge an entry into the largest and fastest-growing part of the market. Crew cab accounts for nearly 50 percent of market

New 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 provides more horsepower (380 hp) and torque (404 lb.-ft.), with increased fuel economy (an estimated 4 percent)

Best-in-class performance: 0-60 mph in under 7 seconds

New interiors with premium seating, soft-touch materials, redesigned controls, floor console with shifter, and even more storage options

More than 35 new or improved features

Industry-first RamBox cargo management system (crew cab) includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage bins built into bed rails (a total of 8.6 cubic feet of space); pickup bed divider/2-foot bed extender; and cargo rail system with four sliding, adjustable cleats
RamBox bins hold up to 10 cases of 12-ounce beverages, or other gear for work or leisure

First-in-segment "store in the floor" storage bins with removable liners, big enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice

First-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats

Heated rear seats also available

Heated steering wheel a first for any Dodge vehicle

First-in-segment coil-spring, multilink rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle provides ride and handling capabilities unexpected in a pickup truck

First-in-segment live SIRIUS Backseat TV™

First-in-segment surround-sound audio system

More than 30 safety features, including standard four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Stability Program with Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control

All-new 2009 Dodge Ram to arrive this fall

Light-duty diesel to arrive after 2009; two-mode hybrid powertrain to be offered in 2010 model year

Dodge has been building trucks since1917. Throughout its storied history, Dodge introduced a number of innovative trucks – the original "Suburban," aerodynamic Airflow-model trucks and the ultra-capable Power Wagon. But it was in 1994 that Dodge introduced a revolutionary Ram in the light-duty pickup market, with its "big rig" styling and iconic crosshair grille.

"We put a truck on the market that tripled our market share," said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Jeep®/Truck Design Studio, Chrysler LLC. "Our design was polarizing – people loved it or hated it. But the people who loved it, bought it. They still do, because Dodge Ram continues to stand out from the herd of 'me-too' trucks."

For the redesign of its all-new, next-generation Ram, Dodge pulled out all the stops.

"Our mandate was to make a quantum leap and add even more voltage to Ram," said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Body-on-Frame Product Team. "Our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is a game-changer in terms of capability, convenience, craftsmanship and safety."

Capability

In addition to the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI which produces 380 hp (283 kW) and 404 lb.-ft. (548 N·m) of torque, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram offers a 4.7-liter V-8 providing 310 horsepower (231 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 N·m) of torque, and a 3.7-liter V-6 generating 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N·m) of torque; a six-speed manual transmission and four- and five-speed automatic transmissions; part-time and on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer cases; and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92 and 4.10 axle ratios.

Equipped with the new HEMI, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram R/T regular-cab 4x2 model with a short bed and 4:10 gears blasts to best-in-class performance of 0-60 mph in under 7 seconds.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is offered in regular cab, Quad Cab® and crew cab, with three box lengths: 8-foot (regular cab), 6-foot-4-inches (regular cab and Quad Cab), and a new-for-2009 box length of 5-foot-7-inches (crew cab). Five trim levels are available, each with a unique appearance: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport, and the top-of-the-line Laramie.

An improved frame design incorporating high-strength steel supports an all-new, first-in-segment, multi-link coil spring rear suspension that improves ride and handling characteristics without sacrificing payload (up to an estimated 1,840 pounds) and towing capability (up to an estimated 9,100 pounds).

Convenience

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram Crew 1500 features an available first-in-segment RamBox cargo management system that provides weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage compartments integrated into both fender sides for effortless access and convenience. Each box holds up to 4.3 cubic feet of whatever – such as five cases (120 cans) of 12-ounce beverages.

The RamBox system includes a bed divider/2-foot bed extender for oversize loads and a rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats for infinitely adjustable tie-down capability. The 2009 Dodge Ram's tailgate features a standard assist feature that reduces the effort needed to raise and close the tailgate.

Another new segment-first innovation for the 2009 Dodge Ram Crew 1500 is a pair of "store in the floor" bins with removable liners that offer even more versatile storage – large enough for ten 12-ounce beverages and ice.

There are many other convenient storage locations throughout the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram including a large upper glove box, map pockets in door panels and a configurable center console. All in all, there are nearly twice as many storage locations in the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram than were in the previous model.

Technically sophisticated, yet simple-to-navigate electronic and infotainment choices include MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with 30-gigabyte hard drive, navigation system, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system available in the Quad Cab and crew cab. Also available is first-in-segment live SIRIUS Backseat TV™ and segment-first surround-sound audio.

Other premium amenities include first-in-segment heated and ventilated front seats, available heated rear seats, first-for-Dodge heated steering wheel, one-touch up/down driver and passenger windows, automatic-on headlamps and dual-zone automatic temperature control – a first for Dodge Ram.

Craftsmanship

In addition to the exterior, the all-new interior of the 2009 Dodge Ram stands out with a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship expressed in premium interior appointments including six-ring instrumentation, redesigned controls, chrome accents, premium seating with improved bolsters and two-tone upholstery. An automatic-transmission floor shifter, incorporated into a configurable center console, is available for the first time in a Dodge Ram. All 2009 Dodge Ram interiors are significantly upgraded with "soft-touch" materials that feature industry-first two-tone technology and premium fit and finish. Full-width contrasting stitching is offered on soft-touch instrument panels for Sport and Laramie models.

On the exterior, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram features a redesigned aluminum hood with a large power bulge and a forward-canted grille, imparting a "head down, ready to charge" attitude, while front and rear bumpers wrap around each body side. The rear bumper on HEMI-equipped models is radiused over chromed dual exhaust tips – a first in light-duty pickups. Attractive 20-inch wheels are available in three styles. Sills are pulled down to cover frame rails for a premium appearance. Badges are three-dimensional, rather than decals, and are designed to stand out. The sculpted Ram's-head badge on the tailgate is 250 percent larger than the previous badge.

Safety

On the safety and security front, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram offers more than 30 active and passive safety features, including standard front and rear side-curtain air bags with Enhanced Accident Response System, knee bolsters, seat-belt pre-tensioners, Anti-lock Brake System, BeltAlert® System, and Electronic Stability Control; and available adjustable pedals, ParkSense® Rear Park Assist and ParkView® Rear Back-up Camera.

Manufacturing

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram will be built in two locations: Quad Cab and Ram Crew 1500 models will be built at the Warren (Mich.) Assembly Plant, and regular cab and Ram Crew 1500 models will be built at the St. Louis North Assembly Plan in Fenton, Mo.

Dodge Brand

With a U.S. market share of 6.4 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC's best-selling brand and the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2006, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. In the highly competitive truck market, Dodge has a 15 percent market share. Last year, Dodge introduced the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan with 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel 'n Go™ seating system. Dodge is entering key European volume segments with Nitro, Caliber and Avenger. The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey will debut this year, and will be available outside North America in both left- and right-hand drive in mid-2008. And later this year, Dodge will introduce its modern muscle car, the all-new Dodge Challenger. For the 2010 model year, Dodge will offer the all-new Dodge Ram with an advanced two-mode hybrid system.