Rides : Porsche Panamera Convertible

Rides - 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible

2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible

Chrysler today released photos of the new 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible. The 200 Convertible offers consumers an open-air driving experience featuring elegant craftsmanship inside and out, a fun, yet refined driving experience, innovative technology, an abundance of standard safety features and an extraordinary level of standard content. The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible is an exciting alternative for customers who want the benefits of a coupe and the true open-air freedom of a convertible, all at a remarkable value.

Redesigned and re-engineered for 2011, the Chrysler 200 Convertible is unique in the standard specialty segment as a true mid-sized convertible that comfortably seats four adults and has ample room in the trunk, even when the power top is dropped. Consumers can choose from two automatically latching tops, a body-color painted steel, retractable hard top, or a cloth soft top, both of which can drop with the press of a button on the key fob.

With a new exterior design, refined ride and handling characteristics complements of an upgraded suspension, an efficient new powertrain, safety features that are all standard on every model, and a beautifully crafted all-new interior, the 200 Convertible stands alone in the segment for customers who crave the wind in their hair and sun on their face.

The all-new interior for 2011 allows customers to step into a level of craftsmanship, content and comfort that is world-class. Innovative features including an available media center with voice command that is easy to use and offers SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a 30 gigabyte HDD/CD/DVD/MP3 radio with SIRIUS Travel Link, which provides real-time information, keep drivers and passengers connected and make the drive something to look forward to.

The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible provides drivers a fun, confident, handling performance in all driving situations, whether it’s commuting to work or a weekend adventure on scenic roads. Virtually every part of the suspension has been retuned or redesigned for 2011, including 22 of 28 suspension bushings.

A new and improved powertrain lineup also contributes to the new 200 Convertible’s driving experience. The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible is offered with the available new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine which provides an exhilarating driving experience that offers customers the best of both worlds – outstanding V-6 horsepower and exceptional fuel economy. The 200 convertible is also available with the proven 2.4-liter I4 World Gas Engine. Both engines are mated to a six-speed transmission.

The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible will be available in three different configurations in the United States – the Chrysler 200 Convertible Touring model, 200 Convertible Limited model and the 200 Convertible S (late availability) model. All are packed with style, safety, innovative features and a dynamic, open-air driving experience at a surprising value.

Rides - Chevy Volt, Ford Explorer, Named Car & Truck of the Year

Just a couple of years ago, we were all worried if the US automakers could produce cars we would ever want to buy again, let alone cars that would be the best in their classes. But that is exactly what is happening, and 2011 could be the year American automakers enter a new era in engineering and design leadership. The Chevy Volt, which has already picked up numerous car of the year awards joins the Ford Explorer for Truck of the Year which was announcing today during the opening of the North American International Auto Show. Congrats to Ford and Chevy.

Rides : The 2011 Volkswagen Passat

Here it is: the new 2011 Volkswagen Passat, the sedan VW wants to take America by sturm. How will it do so? By being $7,000 cheaper than the previous Passat, while getting bigger.

Just as it did with the new Jetta, VW has moved the Passat down the price ladder to what it thinks American midsize sedan buyers really want — more room for less money. While the outgoing Passat started at $27,000, VW will send in the new base model with a sub-$20,000 sticker, aiming directly for the masses testing the cupholders on four-cylinder Camrys, Accords and Sonatas.

The new Passat gets three engine options: the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder, good for 170 hp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2-liter diesel four-cylinder, and a 3.6-liter VR6 at 280 hp and 258 lb.-ft. The base Passat will offer the five-cylinder with a five-speed manual; six-speed automatics will go to the majority of buyers.

VW grew the Passat's body four inches to 191.4 inches, and now touts the most rear-seat legroom in the class. As for the interior VW promised it would show "the look of considerably more expensive cars" with a resemblance to the Tiguan's instrument panel.

But the grow-but-get-cheaper transformation on the Jetta hasn't been particularly welcome among its fans. It also goes against the steps every other automaker has been making to not only standardize their models around the world, but add higher-class features for ever-lower prices.

Here for example, is the new interior on the American Passat:

And here's what VW will offer Passat buyers in Europe, where it's still a near-luxury car:

The gentlemen from Wolfsburg didn't spend $1 billion on a new plant in Tennessee just to make a midsize sedan. Volkswagen wants to be the largest automaker in the world by 2018, and doing so requires it to nearly triple its U.S. sales from 360,000 last year to 1 million, 800,000 of which would need to be VW models — making VW as big here as Nissan is today.

In America, "frankly we lost our way," said Jonathan Browning, VW's U.S. chief. "We became a marginal player here in one of the world's most important markets. That's no longer acceptable."

He then handed the stage over to the band Train, whose lead singer Pat Monahan thanked the company: "Many of us were conceived in a VW bus, so thanks for life."

For all of the history VW made in the United States with the Beetle and other iconic vehicles, it has a history of expecting Americans to follow the commands from Germany and getting upset when they don't obey. It didn't work with the Phaeton; it hasn't worked with putting VW badges on a Chrysler minivan rather than reviving its own Microbus. Like Train, VW wants the biggest audience possible for its work. The trick is getting people to tune in rather than tune out.

Rides : Photos - 2011 DETROIT AUTO SHOW SNEAK Preview, And The FUN Begins

" That's the best way to describe the Detroit Auto Show. Although it has lost its way in the past couple of years due to a dismal automotive industry and an even more depressed Detroit, the Agents think this is going to be an outstanding show for 2011.

It seems that since the 2010 Paris Motor Show, everyone is getting back on track and turning up the heat. Products are getting sexier and more competitive, and even Porsche is coming to this year's Detroit show with a big reveal. Although much of the speculation is pointing to a 918 Coupe, we cannot confirm that just yet.

But before we turn our attention and look forward to next week's chaos, let's take a walk down memory lane and see what the past Detroit shows have brought to fruition.

Some of these concepts never made it to production, for example, take a look at the gorgeous and modern interpretation of the Lamborghini Miura. Or how about the Ford Airstream and Acura NSX concepts from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show?

**Make sure to stay tuned to AutoSpies for the BEST coverage of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show and all of the happenings leading up to the event


2011 Detroit Auto Show Preview Photo Gallery

Rides - Chrysler’s Comeback is Real!

Chrysler Corporation has been beat up the last decade in so many ways it’s almost wrong. The merger with Daimler did not go as planned for either company and then right before the economic tsunami hit, Chrysler is purchased by equity firm Cerberus. Most people outside of the auto industry had no idea who Cerberus was and they still don’t have any idea who they are today. Cerberus knew very little about running an automaker and it showed, so when they bailed on Chrysler and her employees it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Almost everyone knows that Chrysler went through bankruptcy in 2009 and were on the brink of extinction when an agreement to take over the company was reached with Fiat. Heck, they basically shut down all production in December 2008, which had many in the industry pondering whether Chrysler could ever recover! Fast forward to December 2010 and now things have turned around for the Pentastar.

Chrysler is now run by Sergio Marchionne, who orchestrated a turnaround at Italian car maker Fiat and is now in the midst of doing the same with Chrysler but on a larger scale. We say “larger” because this turnaround will also include Fiat, as Mr. Marchionne is not finished his work in Turin either. There is new and consistent process and leadership with the Fiat World Class Manufacturing System working it’s way into all aspects of Chrysler’s facilities with a real focus on quality, which translates into “a new day has arrived.” On the design side, hopefully there are no more redesigns like the weak Sebring and no more allowing well-built and designed vehicles wither on the vine with shabby updates using cheap materials. Enter Fiat’s multi-air engines, which are reliable and fuel efficient. There’s reason for optimism in the halls of Chrysler. The culture is surely going through some changes at breakneck speed, but when you hear about what Italian export Mauro Pino is accomplishing at Chryslers Toledo, OH plants you can understand that real progress is taking place at all levels of the “New Chrysler”.

Chrysler sales in 2010 are up almost 20 percent from 2009 and with eleven all-new or seriously refreshed Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat vehicles to be launched during the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011, the march is on for a larger slice of the market. Also in the mix is the venerable Fiat 500, which will add some flair to the Chrysler/Fiat stable and don’t be surprised if that little 500 becomes a cult hit. Many thought the days were numbered for Chrysler and it wasn’t easy to change perceptions but in the auto world, many are taking notice of what Chrysler and all of her brands are building and selling.

The Dodge brand has seen sales steadily climb and has new product that could seriously put them on a roll with the gorgeous 2011 Dodge Durango, the stylish and tough-looking 2011 Dodge Charger, the sharp crossover 2011 Dodge Journey, the new 2011 Dodge Avenger, the upgraded 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, and the badass Dodge Challenger SRT8 392. We had a chance to drive some of these cars and were very impressed. The 2011 Dodge Charger is the flagship of the Dodge brand and appears to be ready to rock and roll in the sales department, with a re-design that looks awesome.

The big daddy of them all at Chrysler is the 300 and we’re going to have a bird’s eye view of the new machine at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 10th, 2011. Some of the photos that have been released show a very sleek 2011 Chrysler 300, with a grille that features seven horizontal liquid chrome blades and a new Chrysler wing badge and a stunning totally new interior that is garnering plenty of praise early on in the 300’s unveiling. Look for plenty of coverage of the Chrysler 300 on Bullz-Eye.com during the Detroit Auto Show in January 2011.

There is no longer just a bunch of folks crossing their fingers hoping that the U.S. Auto Industry can recover, but rather we are witnessing a real strengthening in sales with Chrysler/Fiat positioning themselves for a renaissance that is truly American and amazing! The competition is fierce and we know this firsthand, as we continue to drive, test and review many makes and models from top flight auto producers. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Chrysler/Fiat is building something for the long term and they have an edge right now that they can’t lose if they want to be stronger than they’ve been in decades.

Rides - Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars

Smartphone user? Regardless of platform you have no shortage of navigation options, and now Ford has added another way to get where you're going -- if you're also an owner of a SYNC TDI-compatible car, anyway. Using the new SYNC Destinations app (available today for iOS and Android, with BlackBerry coming soon) you can more efficiently pre-plan your route. The app lets you pick a destination, view real-time traffic updates, even check out congestion predictions based on weather, time of day, and holidays. It's a feature that would have been pretty handy last week when we were simultaneously dealing with a heck of a blizzard and a whole lot of people trying to flee their in-laws.

The app will even suggest what time you should leave to avoid the most headaches, a potential boon for those desperately seeking any excuse to hit the road a little early. It is, however, just for planning, sending your route to the car and then disabling the phone's display when you cross the magic 5mph threshold. It's safer that way, after all. Full details are in the PR below and if you're on the lucky two supported platforms with a suitably compatible car you can download today for free.