HOME OF CARS: January 2011

Saturday 29 January 2011

2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 earn Top Safety Pick awards

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge Charger - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's no secret that the 2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are more attractive and are substantially more refined than the models they replace. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the new LX-platform twins are also incredibly safe, too - earning the company's prestigious Top Safety Pick designation for the first time ever.

To note, the last-generation Charger and 300 earned the second-lowest rating available in side impact protection, even when equipped with side-curtain airbags. Yikes. On the other hand, the 2011 Charger withstood a force equal to 5.37 times the car's weight during the roof strength test (for rollover protection). The current federal standard for this test is 1.5 times the car's weight.

Chrysler has now earned seven Top Safety Pick ratings for its latest crop of 2011 vehicles. To read the press release about the Charger and 300's earnings, follow the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Charger: First Drive

Gallery photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading 2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 earn Top Safety Pick awards

2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 earn Top Safety Pick awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Lamborghini Murciélago replacement caught wearing only camo

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Lamborghini

Lamborghini Murcielago replacement spy shots

Lamborghini Murciélago replacement spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

We won't necessarily argue with an automaker (especially Lamborghini) unwrapping its new hotness from the inside out. Recently, we received a photo of the Murciélago replacement's new pushrod suspension - something we were first discovered during our talks with the Lamborghini's CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Now, our intrepid spy photographers have snapped Lamborghni's new flagship, tentatively dubbed Aventador, wearing nothing but swirly camouflage over its newly redesigned body.

The new Lamborghini's gorgeous bodywork takes many of its cues from the Sesto Elemento concept that debuted at the Paris Motor Show last year. Underneath the sexy exterior is the automaker's new V12 heart of gold, and we should see the finished product in the flesh at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March. In the meantime, continue the striptease for yourself in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Lamborghini Murcielago Replacement

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Lamborghini Murciélago replacement caught wearing only camo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 300

Filed under: Sedan, Chrysler, First Drive, Luxury

A Lot Newer Than It Looks From The Outside

2011 Chrysler 300 - Click above for high-res image gallery

"We basically blew the old car up. The number of parts we carried over from the last car you can just about hold in your hands," said Mitch Clauw, Chief Engineer on the 2011 Chrysler 300.

He was responding to repeated questions about the new sedan. Was it all-new, or just a heavy refresh like the 200 Sedan? You can't blame journalists for being confused. Chrysler's product onslaught is putting 16 all-new and significantly improved models on the road this year. But all-new is a very different thing from significantly improved.

Clauw supported his answer, "Every exterior panel is new. Every piece in the interior is new. With the underbody, just a few pieces of the front floor pan are carry over. The front and rear aluminum suspension pieces and geometry are different. So is the steering. The V6 is all new. While the internals of the Hemi are carryover, the intake, exhaust and accessories are not." Okay, we believe him now, but you'd need really big hands to hold the carried-over five-speed automatic transmission.

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Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 300: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 300

First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 300 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official 2012 Fiat 500 fuel economy numbers fall short of 40 mpg

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Fiat

2012 Fiat 500 - Click above for high-res image gallery

2011 marks the official return of Fiat here in the United States, with the adorable little 500 hitting dealerships in the coming weeks. With Fiat's MultiAir 1.4-liter engine under the hood, you'd be right to expect top-notch fuel economy numbers. And while the 500's EPA ratings of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway aren't bad, it's not exactly what we were hoping for.

For comparison, consider the fact that much larger C-segment entries like the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze are all capable of achieving 40 mpg or higher (granted, you have to spec certain transmissions and option packages on the latter two in order to achieve it). What's more, the 30/38 mpg rating on the Fiat 500 is only with the five-speed manual transmission. Cars equipped with the six-speed self-shifter will only achieve 27/34 mpg. Ouch.

Still, with prices starting at $15,995 for the entry-level Pop model, we don't think Fiat will have too much trouble moving 500s out of showrooms. Besides, the majority of people purchasing the Fiat 500 will be doing so because of its style rather than its frugality.

Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Official 2012 Fiat 500 fuel economy numbers fall short of 40 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man tattooes 'Mini' on his penis to win free Cooper

Filed under: Etc., Mini, Humor

2011 Mini Cooper - Click above for high-res image gallery

Think about the craziest thing you would do to win a free car. Andreas Muller of Germany has you beat. Muller really - really - wanted to win the Mini Cooper being given away by his local radio station, and in order to do so, he had the word "MINI" tattoed on his mini, err... penis.

Organizers of the stunt received a long list of crazy ideas, yet Muller's stood out for the sheer ballsiness (pun intended). His screams of pain were broadcast over the air as the tattoo was applied to his now-sponsored manhood.

There's plenty that we'd do to win a free Mini, but this one reaches far beyond the realm of consideration. Thanks for the tip, Steve!

Gallery: 2011 Mini Cooper: First Drive