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Long ago, Chrysler told us that it would be launching a “manlier minivan,” and the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T looks to be just the ticket. Sort of.

Power still comes from the automaker’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, and while there’s nothing weak about 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in a minivan, our own visions of a proper “man van” involved some sort of Hemi-spec power outputs. Nevertheless, the Grand Caravan R/T looks slightly more aggressive, wearing a unique set of 17-inch alloys, and employs design tweaks like body-colored side moldings. Inside, black leather seats are standard kit and red contrast stitching gives off an aura of sportiness, even though the family-hauler won’t impress your sports car-driving friends at parties.

Man van? Not so much. But even so, the Grand Caravan’s R/T trim package has a good chance of speaking to those consumers who need a minivan’s capability while still trying to play it cool. Scroll through our high-res image gallery of live shots direct from the Chicago Auto Show floor to see for yourself.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Chicago 2011: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T is spruced up, yet unsurprisingly sedate

It’s that time of the year again, kiddies, to name the best car in the world. The selections for the World Car Awards awarded granted by an international panel of 66 automotive journalists, who have now announced their ten finalists.

Included on the shortlist are the Audi A1 and A8, the BMW 5 Series and X3, Jaguar XJ, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Nissan Leaf, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo S60/V70. The selections were made based on the jurists’ experience with each car through the course of their professional work, and each will be tasked with reevaluating the ten finalists before casting their final ballots to be tabulated by KPMG.

Intriguingly, although the Leaf EV was short-listed, the Chevrolet Volt didn’t make the cut. For an idea of the jurists’ tastes, consider the winners from years past: the Volkswagen Polo (2010), Volkswagen Golf in (2009), Mazda2 (2008), Lexus LS460 (2007), BMW 3-Series (2006), and the Audi A6 in 2005, the first time the prize was awarded.

The shortlist will be whittled down to three finalists to be announced at the Geneva Motor Show next month, followed by the awards to be given out at the New York Auto Show in April. Follow the jump for the official announcement, and check out our image gallery of the ten finalists below.

[Source: World Car Awards]

Continue reading Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year

Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year

The minds at Chrysler have set out to make sure that buyers who need to tow small planetary bodies on occasion are taken care of with its new high-output 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine. The oil-burning mill churns out 23 percent more torque than the old engine, and the final figure now sits at an astronomical 800 pound-feet. There’s also 390 horsepower on hand, and combined, those numbers are good enough to help the 3500 HD tow up to 22,700 pounds. The big-daddy Ram also packs a ridiculous gross vehicle rating of 30,000 pounds when equipped with the optional Max Tow package.

Those impressive ratings are partially thanks to the truck’s braking system. Chrysler’s engineers folded in the largest brakes of any full-size pickup with 14.17-inch rotors up front and 14.09-inch discs out back, and the 3500 HD wears what Chrysler calls the strongest exhaust brake available on any heavy-duty pickup.

Additionally, that meaty Cummins block is said to be good for over 350,000 miles before requiring a major overhaul, and unlike competitors from Ford and General Motors, this beast requires no diesel exhaust fluid to pass emissions. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chicago 2011: 2011 Ram 3500 HD High Output takes the torque war nuclear

Chicago 2011: 2011 Ram 3500 HD High Output takes the torque war nuclear

Kia is hard at work crafting an update to its funky little Soul. Our spy photographers in Germany have spotted a camo-clad example hiding an updated look.

Kia evidently plans on keeping up with current automotive trends, so the next-generation Soul will wear LED running lights (which are hiding beneath the amber stripes in the above photo) and sport turn-signal indicators in the mirrors.

Up front and out back, the Kia Soul will get revised bumpers. According to our sources, the Soul’s revised mouth will mimic the style found on the Kia Picanto, while the rear bumper cap are expected to seee the fog lights pushed further to the outside edges on Euro models.

There’s no word yet on when we’ll see this Soul sans-camo, but anything can happen when the auto show season is in full swing. In the meantime, we’ll have to use our imagination to figure out what’s going on under that camouflage, and you can try do the same by clicking through the gallery below.

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Facelifted Kia Soul hanging out in the cold

Subaru recently invited us to Budapest to get to know the 2011 European-spec Forester, which was… well, exactly what you’d expect (it was fine), but that’s not the point here. What is important is the all-new “FB” engine under the hood – Subaru’s third-generation boxer design – the same unit that we’ll be seeing in the upcoming Impreza. Essentially, it’s a sized-down version of our Forester’s 2.5-liter mill, as opposed to the second-gen EJ25 engine in the current Impreza. Got it? Good. Let’s get our hands dirty…

Continued…

Continue reading Subaru’s new 2.0-liter boxer: It’s better, but does it matter?

Subaru’s new 2.0-liter boxer: It’s better, but does it matter?

Look very closely and you may notice the subtle changes Toyota has made to its Matrix for the 2011 model year. If your eyes are still failing you (as were ours at first glance), we’ll point them all out. There are new wheels across the board, Smart Stop technology has been added to curb pedal misapplication complications, and the automaker’s “Toyota Care” complimentary maintenance plan is now standard. That wasn’t too difficult, was it?

As was the case last year, the 2011 Matrix is again offered in Base and S trim levels with a standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder (132 horsepower) or a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder (158 horsepower). The standard powertrain is front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional on the higher trim level with the larger engine. Those seeking a bit more driving excitement (well, at least visual excitement) need to add the optional Sport Package to their S model, as it adds 17-inch alloy wheels, underbody spoilers, and a painted rear spoiler. Oh, we almost forgot… a new color, called Spruce Mica, joins the exterior palate for 2011.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Chicago 2011: 2011 Toyota Matrix is… umm… sorta refreshed?

Suzuki is proudly displaying its “motorized sofa” at the Chicago Auto Show. The chugging chaise appears in its new “Kizashi Kicks” advertising campaign, a television spot comparing the Kizashi sedan to an Audi A4 2.0T and the well-worn sofa. We’ll let Suzuki tell you about it, before we deliver the technical insight:

This 1970s-era sofa commissioned by American Suzuki retains its original synthetic trim finished in a fashionable tan and brown plaid motif. The sofa is complete with small tears and frayed stitching to meet Suzuki’s overall design intent. The sofa also features a variety of loose coins, cookie crumbs and pocket lint resting just beneath the seat cushions. The steering wheel is comfortably positioned at the center of the sofa, making ingress and egress easy for passengers looking to accompany the driver on casual journeys. The throttle pedal is unmistakable in that it features a custom bare foot shape finished in chrome-plated metal with black accents.

The three-passenger davenport is powered by a single-cylinder Subaru (doh!) “Robin” SP170 engine. With a displacement of only 169 cc, the air-cooled, four-stroke overhead cam gas engine is rated at a whopping 5.7 horsepower at 4,000 rpm. No word on top speed, but the self-propelled furniture reportedly gets about 40 mpg. Braking is accomplished through a hydraulically-operated single-disc on the rear axle, and steering is rack-and-pinion. The tires are appropriately knobby, sized 14.5×7 up front, and 16×8 in the rear, hidden beneath tattered fabric skirting. We’ve asked for a test drive, of course.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Michael Harley / AOL

Chicago 2011: Suzuki is sofa king awesome

Dodge has lit up its new Durango Heat at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. The mighty crossover wears the fancy dress of the R/T model, but comes without thirsty 5.7-liter Hemi V8 under the hood. Instead, buyers can expect to find the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 behind the headlights churning out 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. That’s an extra five ponies over the typical V6 Durango, and combined, Dodge says that the machine should be capable of 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. That’s a jump of two and three mpg, respectively, over the Hemi-powered R/T.

Outside, the Durango Heat wears the same front fascia, side skirts and monochrome treatment as the more powerful crossover, and it even comes packing the same low-slung suspension and 20-inch wheels. Don’t expect to find seating for seven indoors, though. Dodge has ditched the third row to save a few pounds to increase both performance and fuel economy.

If you like what you see, expect to shell out $30,295. All-wheel drive guise will set you back an additional $2,000.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Chicago 2011: 2011 Dodge Durango Heat lights our fire

The Hyundai Genesis sedan has just received an upgraded 3.8-liter V6 with 333 horsepower and 291 pound-feet, adding 43 more horses and 27 more pound-feet of torque to its accomplishments.

The Genesis Coupe, on the other hand, is playing with 306 hp, and according to Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor, that isn’t going to change soon. When we asked if the Genesis Coupe would get the new V6, he said “you won’t see any difference to the Genesis Coupe powertrain for a little while.” Trainor wouldn’t define what “a little while” meant, but he did say “you’ll probably see a similar strategy to the Genesis sedan,” suggesting that the Coupe will get a power bump when it gets facelifted, “probably next year.”

Photos copyright (C)2011 Michael Harley / AOL

Chicago 2011: No power upgrade for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe “for a little while”

The lines between vehicle segments and bodystyles are getting more blurred all the time. And it isn’t just the Germans with their “four-door coupes” and “sports activitiy vehicles,” either. Nissan has proven just as capable of blurring the line between SUV and hatchback with their crossovers – vehicles like the Rogue and Juke. And now the Japanese automaker’s sister company, Renault, appears to be following down the same path with its new Captur concept.

The Captur follows last year’s DeZir show car in showing the way forward for the French automaker’s design language, capturing, as it were, the spirit that future Renaults will be taking. Of course this being a French concept car, it encompasses certain elements that won’t ever see production. Things like the fantastical interior, to start with, and those 22-inch wheels whose white spokes seem to blend right into the tires. But if you want an overall picture of where Renault is heading, this is where it’s at.

Powered by Renault’s Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo engine giving 160 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, the Captur also incorporates dual-clutch gearbox.

Although Renault doesn’t say so specifically in the press release after the jump, where you can scope out all the details, we’re assuming we’ll see the Captur on the show stand at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, from which we’ll be sure to bring you our up-close-and-personal impressions and images. In the meantime, you can scope it out in the high-res image gallery below.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault Captur concept is French for “Nissan Juke”

Renault Captur concept is French for “Nissan Juke”

Dodge has never been shy about using eye-popping colors for many of its performance models like Plum Crazy Purple, Go Mango! and Top Banana Yellow. The tradition continues with the 2011 Challenger, as Dodge will offer this new Green with Envy paint scheme for both the R/T and SRT8 392 models.

The limited edition paint scheme will also come with a few extras, like the dual side stripes and five-spoke cast aluminum wheels on the R/T as well as the Dark Slate Nappa leather seats with Green with Envy stitching on both models. Dodge had an R/T model sitting on the show floor in Chicago, which you can see in the high-res gallery below. You can also hit the jump to read Chrysler’s PR for more details about the car.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Chicago 2011: 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T is Green With Envy and so are we

Chicago 2011: 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T is Green With Envy and so are we

BMW is coming to the Geneva Motor Show tech-loaded for bear and the Vision ConnectedDrive concept is the sleek, roadster-shaped weapon. The topless study is based on the production-bound BMW EfficientDynamics and serves as a platform to showcase the Bavarian automaker’s advanced driver assistance and mobility networking systems, demonstrating what is possible both now and in the future.

The drivetrain beneath the concept is purely electric. No specifications have been revealed yet, though it really only needs enough get-up-and-go to get up on the stage and get gone after what’s sure to be its enthusiastic presentation. The sexy package is just meant to grab your attention long enough for BMW to subliminally inform you how it will swath you in a safe and entertaining environment through technology that’s just a mind-meld short of miraculous. Check out our high-res gallery below and the press release after the jump detailing the VCD concept and BMW’s other Geneva activities.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Vision ConnectedDrive set to make Geneva swoon

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive set to make Geneva swoon

That didn’t take long. Just a month after announcing that it planned to make Swedish tuning house Hirsch Performance its official partner and supplier for go-fast parts in the United States, Saab has shown off one such-equipped 9-3 at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show (okay, so one was briefly displayed at an outdoor stand adjacent to last month’s Detroit Auto Show).

The 9-3 you see here is outfitted with a Hirsch engine map upgrade that nets 240 horsepower (an additional 30 horsepower over the stock car), 6-Twin alloy wheels measuring 19 inches in diameter, an upgraded set of springs and a dual exhaust system. Visual updates include a rear spoiler, carbon fiber body kit with a front splitter and rear diffuser, four-piece mesh grille set and a few interior updates to remind you what you spent all that money on.

Speaking of the almighty dollar, there’s currently no indication on how much all of these goodies will cost you, but we do at least know that the whole shebang will be available from your local dealer and covered under the factory warranty. A whole suite of parts will also be available for the latest 9-5. Have a look at the Hirsch Performance Saab 9-3 in our high-res image gallery below. Not too shabby, eh?

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Chicago 2011: Hirsch Performance Saab 9-3 adds some Swedish style, performance

General Motors is showing off its sexy new Cadillac Black Diamond Edition CTS-V Sport Wagon at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, complete with its exotic SpectraFlair paint and snazzy yellow brake calipers. As you may recall, GM partnered up with JDSU for the special hue, and each Black Diamond Edition Caddy gets a three-coat paint process. Along with the shiny stuff, Cadillac bolted on a set of Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels that help make those wild calipers pop in a big way, and the interior makes use of plenty of micro suede and special wood accents.

The combined effect is one very sinister long-roof.

Prices for the gussied-up CTS-V coupe start at $70,490, which is a $4,850 premium over the run-of-the-mill V. Worth it? We’ll just say that this machine is one of the few at this year’s Chicago Auto Show that has earned a presence on our ‘most wanted’ list.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL

Chicago 2011: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Black Diamond Edition is drool-worthy darkness

Yes, it is indeed a bit odd that Lexus chose to show off a tuned version of its CT 200h hatchback at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Generally speaking, such machines are reserved for events more along the lines of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Still, here we are in the Windy City and there’s this Five Axis-tuned hybrid on the stage; we couldn’t help but shoot it for your viewing pleasure.

In addition to the custom widebody kit, this CT 200h wears a unique coat of paint and features a lowered suspension courtesy of Tein along with upgraded brakes from Stoptech. Want to see more? Check out the gallery of live images below… and do try to overlook the horrible lighting afflicting the Lexus stage in Chicago.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Chicago 2011: Lexus CT 200h by Five Axis sneaks into the Windy City

The Ford Focus Electric, like other EVs on the way to market, will give owners the ability to travel without ever visiting a gas station. That’s a very compelling reason to go green, and Ford tells us that its upcoming EV has a lot more going for it than just its lack of petrol. For example, when does an electric car need an oil change? Never, and you’ll also never have to give another thought to oil, fuel or air filters.

Another typical service expense is the tune up, but without spark plugs, plug wires, a radiator or power steering fluid, there won’t be a lot to replace, flush or fill. You’ll also never have to worry about a muffler, water pump, serpentine belt or starter.

Hit the jump to look over Ford’s list of the top 25 things you won’t have to service in a new Focus Electric. The list includes “battery” as one of the items you won’t have to service or replace during the first 150,000 miles of life. Talk about your low-cost service experience… as long as the big and expensive lithium ion battery works as advertised.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford touting Focus Electric’s lack of maintenance

Ford touting Focus Electric’s lack of maintenance

Automakers are constantly on the lookout for potential synergies. Downhill skis wouldn’t be one of the areas you might think they’d find it, but we’ve had plenty of examples that demonstrate to the contrary: Dynastar and Ferrari, Salomon and Saab, Zai and Bentley, Volant and Infiniti… and now Audi has joined the party with an advanced carbon fiber ski design.

Collaborating with sports equipment manufacturer Head and drawing from Audi’s partnership with the German Ski Association, Audi Concept Design Munich developed these carbon skis that are at once both more rigid and more flexible than existing designs. They’re built around a wood core, sandwiched with aluminum and titanium and coated in carbon fiber.

The result is said to be some 200 grams lighter than a comparable conventional design. While they’re strictly a concept design for the time being, Audi and Head are testing the skis for production potential. Interested? Follow the jump for more details in the full press release.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi hits the slopes with advanced carbon ski design

Audi hits the slopes with advanced carbon ski design

Jim Farley, Ford’s Group Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, gave the keynote speech at the Chicago Auto Show this morning, and the only way it could have been more on-topic is if he had given his speech via Facebook chat.

Before Farley announced the new “What Would You Go Do?” campaign for the 2011 Ford Explorer, he laid out how the Explorer’s Facebook launch set a new tone for how Ford has conversations with its customers, and even set a new tone for the company itself. Follow the jump for more and Ford’s press release on the Explorer competition.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Chicago 2011: Ford’s Farley talks Apple Genius Bars and the push to “democratize technology”

Chicago 2011: Ford’s Farley talks Apple Genius Bars and the push to “democratize technology”

With the Geneva Motor Show coming up in a matter of weeks, a whole mess of new debuts and concept cars are rolling in. The latest comes courtesy of Suzuki and its European operations.

Called the Swift S-Concept, the show car looks like it could be a pretty mean interpretation of the latest Swift hatchback in a higher-performance guise with a healthy dose of rally-inspired action. The Japanese automaker has released very little in the way of details, essentially announcing the debut accompanied by the preview rendering you see above.

We’ll have to wait as the expo approaches for more, but for now you can check out the press release after the jump and click on the image above to view in high-resolution.

[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Suzuki readying Swift S-Concept for Geneva

Suzuki readying Swift S-Concept for Geneva

If you look at the very pinnacle of the automotive market, you’ll mostly find exotic sportscars and luxury sedans. There are plenty of high-end SUVs out there too, but not quite at the same level. But demand for luxury sport-utes continues to rise in “developing” luxury markets like Russia and the Persian Gulf, prompting automakers to dial up their high-riding game time and time again. And the latest ne plus ultra comes courtesy of Land Rover.

Called the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, this top-of-the-line SUV is exactly that: the ultimate. It’s billed as the most luxurious Range Rover ever, and that’s no mean feat. To get there, Land Rover has outfitted the SUV with a veritable first-class cabin that includes four individual buckets, separated front and back by middle console with aluminum tray tables and a drinks cooler in the back. The rear-seat passengers also get the use of a pair of Apple iPads docked into the front seatbacks, and the cargo area gets a yacht-inspired teak deck. Of course the leather is top notch, offset by Kalahari wood veneers.

Outside, prospective owners will find a dark grille, color-keyed door handles (which are available with a couple of new paint options), along with the requisite special badging and unique 20-inch alloys. Buyers can choose from either the 4.4-liter V8 turbodiesel or the 5.0-liter supercharged V8, both mated to ZF’s eight-speed automatic transmission and capable of catapulting the truck to sixty in 7.5 or 5.1 seconds respectively.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but the Autobiography Ultimate Edition is set to be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, now just weeks away, but you can read all about it now in the press release after the jump and soak up the opulence in the high-resolution image gallery below.

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover to unveil Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition in Geneva

Land Rover to unveil Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition in Geneva