Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Better But Not Faster
Jeep claims that the previous Grand Cherokee SRT8 model is able to reach 60 miles per hour in under five seconds. They said that the new model is now capable of 4.8 seconds. Well it is faster in a very slight figure, but still it is far behind the ML63 AMG AMG and about 0.3 second from BMW X6 M. But the vehicle line executive for SRT model, Joseph Grace, said that speed isn’t their priority today.
“We want to address the major issues from the customers: the ride, the exhaust, and the fuel economy and range,” said Grace. So, it is not about a faster SUV, but about filling the gaps from the previous model. The center exhaust is now replaced to the two corners to give a better mileage and longer range.
The adaptive suspension is created together with Bilstein to addresses the handling issues with the five transmissions. This will give a little more torque to the rear wheels from the previous 65/35 to 60/40. But Grace said that the tires on the track setting will remain on the ground. There is still no word on the pricing for this car, but Grace promised that it will be a benchmark for performance for value rating for a super equipped vehicle.
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Better But Not Faster is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Honda Civic Hybrid Able to Reach 44 mpg
That 44 mpg figure is actually not good enough, especially when you compare it with something like Toyota’s Prius. However, we are talking about Honda Civic Hybrid. On their 2011 model, the rating for city/highway/combined is only 40/43/41. But now with the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, the rating is 44/44/44.
This car is announced at the New York Auto Show, and to be honest, there are so many 40 mph vehicles here from various automakers. However, those models were only described one of those three rating categories, and it is usually the highway rating. So, it is quite awesome when Honda claims that you will get 44 mpg no matter how would you drive your Civic Hybrid.
The secret of this fuel economy boost is on the improved battery pack which is now equipped with Honda Integrated Motor Assist system. Beside the nickel-metal batteries from the previous version, the 2012 model is also has a 20 kW li-ion cells which is 5 kW more powerful and a bit lighter than the NiMH pack. The engine is also upgraded from 1.3 liter to the new 1.5 liter i-VTEC four cylinder with 110 combined horsepower at 5,500 rpm.
Honda Civic Hybrid Able to Reach 44 mpg is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Abarth 500 Motore Centrale Unveiled At Top Marques Monaco
Like we always seen on the hatchback with mid-engine, there is always a combination of exotic exterior with utilitarian body style. That is what we also see at the Fiat 500. The picture above is Abarth 500 Motore Centrale. That was the improved Italian retro hatchback by a new tuning house, Lucarelli Monza. With its new turbocharger, intercooler, catalic converter, and pistons, this car will deliver 230 horsepower to the rear wheel via its 1.4 liter turbo four.
You will find a new wishbone suspension at the rear that is combined with an upgraded brake with four calipers. You will also see the revised bodywork with ducting in order to keep the engine’s temperature with its new orientation. The production model of R230 will take 4.7 second to reach 62 mph with a top speed of 150 mph.
For more option, there is the R280 Pista version that has an additional 50 horsepower with a fewer 220 pounds. Of course, the sprint time for this car will only be 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 160 mph. There is still no word on the pricing, but I suggest you not to expect that this is a budget hatchback.
Abarth 500 Motore Centrale Unveiled At Top Marques Monaco is a post from: Automotive News and Review
2012 Volvo S60 R-Design Got Some Power Boosts
When the R-Design is coming for Volvo S60 and XC60 models, it is actually give some visual improvements and suspension tweaks. However, they were lacking on power boosts. At that moment, the R-Design seems like the appearance package for the AMG, M-Sport Series, or the S Line. But now, Volvo is ready to come with some revised offerings for the 2012 model.
While it is still with the R-Design, the more powerful version of the S60 sedan and XC60 crossover will provide you with an extra 25 horsepower with 29 pound feet of torque thanks to their new turbocharged six cylinder T6 engine. Now, the S60 model has 300 horsepower and 325 pound feet of torque, while the XC60 has 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft.
The other things for both the car will be exactly the same with the R-Design models. But now as those cars has an increased output, it will make the car range much more enticing. Unfortunately, that engine upgrade seems like not coming to the model which became the bridge between the S60 and the XC60 models, the V60 R-Design. Hopefully Volvo will do the same with the V60 R.
2012 Volvo S60 R-Design Got Some Power Boosts is a post from: Automotive News and Review
2012 Chrysler 300S Will Get Eight Speed Transmission
The picture that you see above is the new car from Chrysler, the 2012 300S. This model will be the first product from Chrysler which will get the eight speed ZF transmission. That is the much awaited gearbox system as the news about it has been developing for about one year. For the first time, that eight speed transmission will only exist at the automaker’s 3.6 liter Pentastar V6.
For now, Chrysler is currently trying to have some retouch to the transmission at their facility in Kokomo, Indiana. They do that in order to bring that new gearbox to the United States. Until that thing really happens, the U.S. buyers for this car will be provided with the one that is directly from ZF Germany, so it will be limited.
Beside that new transmission, this 2012 Chrysler 300S is equipped with an audio system from Dr. Dre ten-speaker. For the interior, you will see a piano-black interior accents which were very unique. complete with the standard stuffs in a Luxury Package. That will include the Nappa leather, rear camera, power tilt, rain sensing wipers, and the telescoping steering column.
2012 Chrysler 300S Will Get Eight Speed Transmission is a post from: Automotive News and Review