Ram has never been an automaker that prided itself on being the fanciest looking in the garage. As its name suggests, the automaker has preferred function over form since its split from Dodge.
And as such, its parent company, Chrysler, has used the 2013 Chicago Auto Show to introduce the newest Ram, the 2014 ProMaster.
With some help from Italian tag-team partner Fiat, Chrysler has come up with a full-sized cargo van that just about boasts of every class-leading category in the market. Or at least that’s what Chrysler claims.
Whether there’s validity to that really depends on what you’re looking for in a cargo van. Fortunately, we found enough things about the ProMaster that we actually like. So much so that we’re not going to brush aside Chrysler’s incessant promotion of it. Maybe they do make a point. Or maybe they’re just drumming up the hype machine.
Either way, the 2014 ProMaster is here and by the looks of things, it’s here to stay.
Find out more about the 2014 Ram ProMaster after the jump
Chevrolet is expanding their Malibu line-up with the addition of a new Turbo version for the LT and LTZ models. The new Turbos will go on sale in Fall 2012 at a starting price of $27,710 for the LT version and $30,925 for the LTZ.
The new Malibu Turbo is powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine that delivers a total of 259 HP and a peak torque of 260 lb-ft. This power is enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph. The engine is combined with a Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic, a four-wheel-independent suspension system, hydraulic ride bushings, and premium electric steering gear.
"The all-new turbocharged engine showcases just how capable the new Malibu is, and the turbocharged Malibu is perfect for customers who want a midsize sedan that is fun to drive under a wide range of real-world conditions," said Mark Meyers, GM global vehicle performance manager.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo.
Toyota has announced a special edition Camry SE Sport Limited Edition which will arrive at Toyota dealers by Labor Day weekend. The new Camry will have a starting price of $25,995 and be offered in four exterior paints -Pearl White, Barcelona Red, Attitude Black and Blizzard Pearl - combined with a choice of black or black/ash interior. Models painted in Pearl White will only be built for three months starting on September 12, 2012 and ending on November 12, 2012.
The new Camry SE Sport edition will be offered with an impressive list of standard equipment, including 18" alloy wheels with a smoked finish, 8-way power seats, power sunroof, and a Display Audio (6.1-inch touchscreen) with Navigation and Entune.
The special edition Camry will also be offered exclusively with the revised 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 178 HP and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque. The engine will be mated to a a six-speed automatic transmission.
When MG released the Icon concept car in Beijing, we were all a little shocked, as it had been ages since we had heard from the U.K.-based, Chinese-owned automaker. We also were impressed and disgusted with the concept all at the same time, as its overall styling was pretty sleek, but the Mini-like appearance and strange protruding fog lights killed it for us.
At the time, we knew that the Icon would make it to production, though the dates were a little fuzzy still, but we didn’t realize that this compact crossover may spawn the resurrection of a legend. Well, now we do know that the Icon will also be the basis that a new MG Roadster will be based on.
It sounds a little awkward when you think about it, but this Roadster will be a 4-seater crossover convertible. Calling it a Roadster is a pretty big stretch of the term, as a roadster typically has only two doors and two seats (see: Mazda Miata, BMW Z4 and Toyota MR2).
Regardless of the stretching of its name, the new MG Roadster will likely be a blast to drive, given its compact size and roughly 130 horsepower. We also don’t have to wait too awful long to see a production model, as reports are pointing to a 2015 release of the Roadster. The Roadster also earns brownie points for being relatively affordable at a reported ₤14,000 ($21,800 at the current rates).
We’ll keep a very close eye on this developing story and update you with more concrete information, as it becomes available.
Fiat is at it yet again. Just a few weeks ago, we complained about the fact that Fiat keeps on reusing the “500” name in the U.S., and once again we are apparently in for more 500s. Just like government documents spoiled the surprise that Fiat’s subsidiary company, Chrysler, was planning a revival of the Barracuda nameplate, government documents are now spoiling the fun for Fiat itself.
Documents leaked from the NHTSA and CARB are showing two models under the 500 umbrella that currently do not exist. One of those vehicles is the 500T, and “T” in this instance obviously means turbocharged. The other, and less newsworthy, is a 500 Abarth Convertible.
For those that know Fiats, you are likely wondering what’s going on, as there is already a turbocharged 500, it’s the 500 Abarth, which has a 160-horsepower Multi-Air 1.4-liter engine. What all of us experts – or so we like to call ourselves – agree upon is that this new 500T will likely feature a slightly detuned version of the Abarth’s 1.4-liter engine, ranging somewhere in the 130 to 140 horsepower range.
What Fiat would be doing with this is trying to target buyers that want a higher performance 500, but don’t want to fork out the $22,000 that it costs to get into an Abarth. If the 500T hits 130 horsepower, that would be 29 horsepower greater than the standard engine and likely enough to satisfy the hunger for a little more performance.
Using reasonable estimations, we would assume that the Fiat 500T would have an MSRP in the $20,000 range, as to keep it less than the Abarth, but slightly more than the 500 Lounge (the top trim level before the Abarth). That would position it just under the base MINI Cooper ($20,200) and well below the MINI Cooper S ($23,800).
Given these two models pan out, and the 500X that Fiat teased us with earlier comes to be, this would put the 500 at a whopping seven models. It’s starting to get a little ridiculous, Fiat.
With the American-only Scion FR-S being priced recently, the only question left unanswered was how much its bigger brother the Subaru BRZ would cost. Thankfully however, Subaru has just released pricing for its latest rear wheel-drive sports car, and we have to say, it seems to be a bargain as all variants will sell for less than $30,000.
Putting the possible BRZ, WRX, and WRX STi aside, the car will come in two main trim levels being Premium and Limited with both of these different version cars being offered with manual and automatic transmissions.
Unsurprisingly, the manuals are a bit cheaper than the comparable automatics, with a base Premium manual to cost $26,245 while the auto will cost $27,345. Just like the aforementioned Limited version, the Premium comes with a host of features not offered on the cheaper FR-S, with satellite radio being one of the biggest additions for the Subaru.
The Limited edition comes fitted with even more equipment which helps to warrant its $28,245 base price when fitted with the manual. In fact, the BRZ Limited will come standard with heated seats and dual-zone climatic control as well as a whole host of upgrades including alcantara and leather upholstery.
Just as a quick reminder, the BRZ features the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as its FRS brethren, producing an equal 200 horsepower from this small engine. And of course, this package wouldn’t be complete without RWD and with a Torsen limited-slip differential finishing the package off, the BRZ promises to be a true driver’s car.
Hit the jump for a full list of standard and optional features.
Say a driver loves the way the Challenger R/T or SRT8 looks, but is not down with driving around town with a high-output V-8 engine under the hood. For a while, customers were stuck with either the SXT or SE model, both of which are rather bland in styling when compared to the R/T and SRT8. Dodge came to bat by releasing the all-new 2012 Challenger Rallye Redline.
This mid-level 2012 Challenger features Dodge’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, just like the Challenger SXT . This means drivers are not going to be able to go out there and compete with the likes of the Mustang GT and Camaro SS when it comes to performance. However, they will also not be pulling over at every other gas station to top up at $4.00 per gallon like they would in these high-performance models.
Pitting apple against apple, the 2012 Challenger Rallye Redline just might be a formidable foe for the V-6 powered versions of the 2013 Ford Mustang and 2012 Chevy Camaro. Let’s see how this newcomer to the Challenger lineup holds up against these other members of the 300-horsepower V-6 muscle club. We may be surprised how a few slight modifications can put one car ahead of the pack.
Hit the jump for more details on the 2012 Dodge Challenger Rallye Redline.
Last year, the standard Avenger and Avenger R/T came out and today Dodge has added a new entry level model to the Avenger line-up. The new SE V6 version is priced from $21,495.
The Avenger is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that delivers a total of 283 HP and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, along with a best-in-class EPA highway V-6 fuel economy rating of 29 mpg. The engine will be mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission.
The new SE V6 version will be distinguished by a new set of 18" aluminum wheels, a rear decklid spoiler, and dual exhaust with bright tips. The list of standard equipment will include LED taillamps, a premium interior with soft-touch surfaces, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control with traction control and electronic roll mitigation, premium cloth seats, speed control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with integrated audio and speed controls, and a CD player with four speakers.
After several years of lackluster sales, Volkswagen’s small, car-based SUV has finally taken off. With sales up nearly 30% over last summer’s sales, it seems customers have found the Tiguan endearing...finally.
With their mid-cycle refresh coming up for the 2012 Tiguan, it features a few upgrades. Things like park assist, ride control, and start/stop functions are a welcome (and frankly overdue) addition. The downside? Virtually none of the sweet tech upgrades will make it to U.S. shores citing cost reasons.
While the Tiguan is a great car, we think that when the complete model refresh happens (production should move the U.S. by that point), that will be the time to jump and snatch it up at a possible lower price.
Hit the jump to read the full review and thumb through the hi-res gallery.
The current generation Toyota Tacoma has been in production since 2005 and it’s about time the truck got some changes. For the 2012 model year, the Tacoma has been updated with a restyled exterior look and a redesigned and modernized interior, with some technological goodies to boot. What hasn’t changed is the power source: the Toyota Tacoma will still be running on either a 2.7 liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 HP and 180 lb-ft of torque or the 4.0 liter V6 delivering 236 hp and 266 lb-ft.
Some of the highlights for the 2012 Tacoma include a redesigned hood, new grille, new headlamps, and a new front bumper. The inside is where Toyota got real schnazzy, sprucing up the truck with a new six-speaker system with an AM/FM/ Satellite Radio-capable head unit and a single-disc CD player for the Access Cabin model and the new Entune infotainment system with seven speakers for the Double Cab model.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Toyota Tacoma.
