William Maley
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Honda is making some changes to its executive staff with a number of new appointments. The big change is the announcement of current CEO and president Takanobu Ito stepping down in June. Ito became the CEO back in 2009 and led the company through a tumultuous period which included the financial crisis, the massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011; and fluctuating currencies. More recently, Ito has received a lot of criticism for flagging quality issues which has led to a number of recalls, along with delays on a number of key products for the company. Despite the recent problems Ito has been dealing with, he has also introduced a number of reforms to get the company back on track. Such reforms include the retooling of the r&d division, delegating power and responsibility to six global hubs, and the return of such models of the Acura NSX and Honda Civic Type R. Taking Ito's place is Takahiro Hachigo. Hachigo has been with the company since 1982 and has held a number of roles at Honda including the head of the r&d department in the U.S. At the moment, Hachigo is the managing officer at Honda's office in China. “We are going forward. I believe this is a good opportunity to revamp our entire operations,” said Ito today at a news conference. “In 2015, Honda is ready to make a huge leap forward. To do this, I believe, Honda needs to overcome challenges under a new, younger leader as a team.” Now this change will need to ratified by Honda's shareholders, which is expected to happen at June's annual shareholders' meeting. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Honda Press Release is on Page 2 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Announces New President & CEO TOKYO, Japan, February 23, 2015 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (“Honda Motor”) today announced that Takahiro Hachigo, currently the company’s Managing Officer, will become Senior Managing Officer effective in April 2015, and will become President, Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director in late June 2015. Takanobu Ito, the current President, Chief Operating Officer and Representative Director, will remain on the board and assume the post of Director and Advisor to Honda Motor. This management succession will occur following the final decision of the Honda Motor Board of Directors after the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting, scheduled for late June 2015. Hachigo joined Honda in 1982, and began his career in its automobile research and development operations, principally as an engineer in the area of chassis design. Hachigo was in charge of developing the first-generation of U.S.-built Odyssey minivan, which was launched in 1999 primarily for the U.S. market. Hachigo went on to assume responsibilities as the person-in-charge of developing the second generation CR-V, Honda’s highly successful compact sport-utility vehicle for the worldwide markets, in 2001. From April 2004 to March 2006, Hachigo was stationed in the U.S. as Senior Vice President of Honda R&D Americas, Inc., where he became actively involved in the local development of Honda and Acura automobiles. In April 2006, Hachigo became Operating Officer of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (“Honda R&D”) and subsequently gaining promotion to Managing Officer in April 2007. After retiring from this position in March 2008, Hachigo became General Manager of Purchasing Division No.2 of Purchasing Operations, Honda Motor, in April and became Operating Officer of Honda Motor in June of the same year. Hachigo then assumed a role in the area of manufacturing as General Manager of Honda’s Suzuka Factory in April 2011. He served as Vice President and Director of Honda Motor Europe Ltd. from April 2012 to March 2013 and also as President and Director, Honda R&D Europe (U.K.) Ltd., from September 2012 to March 2013. In 2013, Hachigo’s responsibilities shifted to China, becoming Vice President of Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd. in April, simultaneously becoming Representative of Development, Purchasing and Production (China), Honda Motor, and Vice President of Honda Motor Technology (China) Co., Ltd. In April 2014, Hachigo was promoted to Managing Officer of Honda Motor, a title he currently holds. Ito joined Honda in 1978 and began his career in the company’s automobile research and development operations, primarily as a chassis design engineer. Ito was in charge of developing the all-aluminum uni-body frame structure for the highly acclaimed first-generation NSX sports car that went on sale in 1990. In June 2000, he was appointed a member of the Honda Motor Board of Directors, subsequently assuming responsibilities as President and Director of Honda R&D, General Manager of the Suzuka Factory, and most recently, President, Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director of Honda Motor, a title he has held since June 2009. During the six years of Ito’s leadership, Honda was able to actively evolve its global manufacturing structure, notably the establishment of automobile plants in Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, India and China. Also under Ito’s leadership, Honda succeeded in solidifying its business foundation by enhancing its product development capabilities—from the hugely popular N-series mini-vehicles, to automobile powertrain development as represented by the Earth Dreams Technology, to the establishment of product development structures in each of Honda’s global regional operations. Furthermore, an all-new FCV that Ito has led in an effort to realize a CO2-free automobile, as well as “fun to drive” vehicles including the S660, Civic Type R and NSX models are scheduled to be launched during the fiscal year ending March, 2016. Likewise, Honda’s participation in Formula 1, the pinnacle of automobile racing, and foray into aviation businesses with HondaJet and jet engine will take place during the same period. -
Cadillac has apparently pulled a page of out of the Nissan ad playbook as they have revealed the upcoming 2016 CT6 in a new ad during the Oscars tonight. The ad - titled The Daring: No Regrets - features a number folks the worlds of fashion, finance, technology, and film whose common beginnings are contrasted with their exceptional accomplishments. Following this, the ad asks "How dare a 112-year-old carmaker reinvent itself," and out rolls the CT6. The vehicle takes the current styling of the CTS and stretches it out length and width-wise. We'll have more information and clearer pictures when the CT6 debuts at the New York Auto Show in April. The ad is below. Source: Cadillac http://youtu.be/EGhaOV0BPmA View full article -
Cadillac has apparently pulled a page of out of the Nissan ad playbook as they have revealed the upcoming 2016 CT6 in a new ad during the Oscars tonight. The ad - titled The Daring: No Regrets - features a number folks the worlds of fashion, finance, technology, and film whose common beginnings are contrasted with their exceptional accomplishments. Following this, the ad asks "How dare a 112-year-old carmaker reinvent itself," and out rolls the CT6. The vehicle takes the current styling of the CTS and stretches it out length and width-wise. We'll have more information and clearer pictures when the CT6 debuts at the New York Auto Show in April. The ad is below. Source: Cadillac http://youtu.be/EGhaOV0BPmA -
I think its more of an assumption on Automobile Magazine's part considering the Escalade has it.
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Its been a few months since we heard anything about the upcoming Cadillac XT5, the replacement for the SRX crossover. But the folks at Automobile Magazine got their hands on some new spy shots of the XT5 undergoing cold weather testing. As we have previously reported, the XT5 will utilize the upcoming C1XX - Chi platform. Judging from the new spy shots, it looks like the XT5 will keep the slanted grille, but it looks like it will get stacked LED lights. It also appears XT5's profile will become somewhat shorter, but grow in terms of interior space. Powertrains are expected to be the 2.0L turbo-four and 3.6L V6, while front and all-wheel drive will handle getting that power to the road. Its likely we'll see the XT5 debut sometime late in the year. Source: Automobile Magazine View full article
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Its been a few months since we heard anything about the upcoming Cadillac XT5, the replacement for the SRX crossover. But the folks at Automobile Magazine got their hands on some new spy shots of the XT5 undergoing cold weather testing. As we have previously reported, the XT5 will utilize the upcoming C1XX - Chi platform. Judging from the new spy shots, it looks like the XT5 will keep the slanted grille, but it looks like it will get stacked LED lights. It also appears XT5's profile will become somewhat shorter, but grow in terms of interior space. Powertrains are expected to be the 2.0L turbo-four and 3.6L V6, while front and all-wheel drive will handle getting that power to the road. Its likely we'll see the XT5 debut sometime late in the year. Source: Automobile Magazine -
Yutaka Katayama, a former executive for Nissan and "father of the Z,"passed away this week at the age 105 due to heart failure. His son Mitsuo confirmed the news to The Associated Press. Katayama has a long history with Nissan as he joined the company back in 1935. He held many roles at the company dealing with marketing and publicity. Many consider his greatest achievement to be the person who gave life to the original Datsun Z sports car. "A car is a horse. I want to drive a thoroughbred that's in tune with my heartbeat, but not something that's too dressed up for someone like me," said Katayama to The Associated Press in a 2002 interview. His other achievement was bringing Nissan into U.S. via the Datsun brand. "His greatest achievement, I think, was the fact that he was able to give many American Datsun dealers their own success story," said Mitsuo Katayama. Katayama would retire from Nissan in 1977. He was inducted into to both the American and Japanese Automotive Hall of Fame. Yutaka Katayama is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Source: Associated Press, Nissan Press Release is on Page 2 Nissan legend Yutaka Katayama, aka “Mr. K,” dies at 105 YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan legend Yutaka Katayama, the man known as “Mr. K,” has died. He was 105. Katayama ran Nissan’s U.S. operations from in the 1970s and is widely known as the father of the Datsun Z, the world-class affordable sports car. He retired from Nissan in 1977. In September last year, Katayama granted a rare three-part interview with the Nissan Global Media Center in which he reflects on nearly 80 years in the car business. Born in September 1909, in what is now Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Mr. K joined the company in 1935 and was assigned to the Administration Department, first handling publicity and then advertising. He made one of the first color films of a Datsun on Japanese roads and later filmed motor sport races across the globe, raising the bar for decades of visual story telling ahead. With a love of cars and a flare for promotion, he built the Datsun brand, Nissan's initial brand name in the U.S., from scratch. He had first visited the U.S. as an assistant on a high-speed vessel carrying raw silk in 1927 while a student at Keio University. In his storied career, he was team manager as two Datsun 210s were entered in a grueling rally circumnavigating the Australian continent. The subsequent victory instantly catapulted the brand into worldwide renown and set the stage for Datsun exports. Notably, he put together the key concepts for the Z-car, contributing significantly to the birth of an exceptional sports car still revered by driving enthusiasts. Retiring in 1977, he was later inducted into the American Automotive Hall of Fame in 1998 for ushering in a generation of vehicles that redefined the American car market, as well as the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame for pioneering deeds on both sides of the Pacific. Among other key achievements, Katayama promoted the first All-Japan Motor Show in 1954, as well as laid the foundations for Nissan North America. View full article
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Yutaka Katayama, a former executive for Nissan and "father of the Z,"passed away this week at the age 105 due to heart failure. His son Mitsuo confirmed the news to The Associated Press. Katayama has a long history with Nissan as he joined the company back in 1935. He held many roles at the company dealing with marketing and publicity. Many consider his greatest achievement to be the person who gave life to the original Datsun Z sports car. "A car is a horse. I want to drive a thoroughbred that's in tune with my heartbeat, but not something that's too dressed up for someone like me," said Katayama to The Associated Press in a 2002 interview. His other achievement was bringing Nissan into U.S. via the Datsun brand. "His greatest achievement, I think, was the fact that he was able to give many American Datsun dealers their own success story," said Mitsuo Katayama. Katayama would retire from Nissan in 1977. He was inducted into to both the American and Japanese Automotive Hall of Fame. Yutaka Katayama is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Source: Associated Press, Nissan Press Release is on Page 2 Nissan legend Yutaka Katayama, aka “Mr. K,” dies at 105 YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan legend Yutaka Katayama, the man known as “Mr. K,” has died. He was 105. Katayama ran Nissan’s U.S. operations from in the 1970s and is widely known as the father of the Datsun Z, the world-class affordable sports car. He retired from Nissan in 1977. In September last year, Katayama granted a rare three-part interview with the Nissan Global Media Center in which he reflects on nearly 80 years in the car business. Born in September 1909, in what is now Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Mr. K joined the company in 1935 and was assigned to the Administration Department, first handling publicity and then advertising. He made one of the first color films of a Datsun on Japanese roads and later filmed motor sport races across the globe, raising the bar for decades of visual story telling ahead. With a love of cars and a flare for promotion, he built the Datsun brand, Nissan's initial brand name in the U.S., from scratch. He had first visited the U.S. as an assistant on a high-speed vessel carrying raw silk in 1927 while a student at Keio University. In his storied career, he was team manager as two Datsun 210s were entered in a grueling rally circumnavigating the Australian continent. The subsequent victory instantly catapulted the brand into worldwide renown and set the stage for Datsun exports. Notably, he put together the key concepts for the Z-car, contributing significantly to the birth of an exceptional sports car still revered by driving enthusiasts. Retiring in 1977, he was later inducted into the American Automotive Hall of Fame in 1998 for ushering in a generation of vehicles that redefined the American car market, as well as the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame for pioneering deeds on both sides of the Pacific. Among other key achievements, Katayama promoted the first All-Japan Motor Show in 1954, as well as laid the foundations for Nissan North America. -
Chevrolet is giving the Silverado W/T some love with the introduction of the Black Out package. The package adds a black paint color, 20-inch black painted aluminum wheels, P275/55R20 all-season blackwall tires, deep tinted glass, and black bowties. The package is available on the Silverado W/T regular and double cab models for $1,595. Source: Chevrolet Press Release is on Page 2 Chevrolet Silverado Work Trucks Get Blacked Out DETROIT – Chevrolet is adding a $1,595 Black Out package for regular- and double-cab 2015 Silverado 1500 WT models. It includes 20” black painted aluminum wheels, P275/55R20 all-season blackwall tires, deep tinted glass and black bowties. Prices start at $28,895. The package is available for order now, and customers can have any color they want, as long as it is black. Editors’ Note: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Includes dealer freight charges and option package discounts. View full article
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Chevrolet is giving the Silverado W/T some love with the introduction of the Black Out package. The package adds a black paint color, 20-inch black painted aluminum wheels, P275/55R20 all-season blackwall tires, deep tinted glass, and black bowties. The package is available on the Silverado W/T regular and double cab models for $1,595. Source: Chevrolet Press Release is on Page 2 Chevrolet Silverado Work Trucks Get Blacked Out DETROIT – Chevrolet is adding a $1,595 Black Out package for regular- and double-cab 2015 Silverado 1500 WT models. It includes 20” black painted aluminum wheels, P275/55R20 all-season blackwall tires, deep tinted glass and black bowties. Prices start at $28,895. The package is available for order now, and customers can have any color they want, as long as it is black. Editors’ Note: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Includes dealer freight charges and option package discounts. -
The Chevrolet Bolt concept will be heading into production in late 2016, with sales beginning in 2017. But there is the question of whether or not the 'Bolt' name will go on the production model or not. The name is confusing as it sounds similar to the Chevrolet Volt. "Some people think it's confusing. "People are having some fun with it. It is generating awareness, which is good. It's so conversational," said Alan Batey, president of GM North America to the Detroit Free Press. Batey did say that there is a debate going on General Motors of whether to keep the Bolt name or go with something else. "We're still in the decision phase. It could go either way," said Batey. Whether or not the Bolt name changes, Batey said there will be a clear difference between the Bolt and Volt. Source: Detroit Free Press View full article
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The Chevrolet Bolt concept will be heading into production in late 2016, with sales beginning in 2017. But there is the question of whether or not the 'Bolt' name will go on the production model or not. The name is confusing as it sounds similar to the Chevrolet Volt. "Some people think it's confusing. "People are having some fun with it. It is generating awareness, which is good. It's so conversational," said Alan Batey, president of GM North America to the Detroit Free Press. Batey did say that there is a debate going on General Motors of whether to keep the Bolt name or go with something else. "We're still in the decision phase. It could go either way," said Batey. Whether or not the Bolt name changes, Batey said there will be a clear difference between the Bolt and Volt. Source: Detroit Free Press -
The latter half of the oughts have seen the Detroit automakers come out swinging with their muscle cars. General Motors has gone crazy with the Camaro, while Ford keeps amping up the Mustang. Dodge has been quietly working on improving the Challenger for the most part - and of course introducing the Hellcat V8. But while the Hellcat has taken the spotlight for the Challenger, it has put other Challenger models in the shadow. That’s kind of a shame since Dodge has worked on bettering the Challenger with major improvements and new trims. To find out whether or not other Challenger models deserve a spot in the light, I spent some time in a 2015 Challenger SRT. Looking at the Challenger SRT, you can’t help but think that Dodge issued an edict to its designers saying to keep the basic shape of the original Challenger, but bring it into the 21st century. It seems the edict worked as the current Challenger holds true to the original name-bearer. From the gun-barrel headlights and split grille lines; to the short rear deck and distinctive rear light setup: There is very much a clear lineage to the original Challenger. The SRT tester was draped in a Billet Silver paint color with black strips, and a set of 20-inch forged wheels wearing a coat of black which adds bit of aggression. One of the biggest problems for the pre-refreshed Challenger was its interior. A somewhat plain looking dashboard was mixed with cheap plastics mostly common in compacts from the eighties and a steering wheel that felt more at home in a tractor than a muscle car. But with the refreshed Challenger, Dodge fixed many problems. To start, the dashboard has been completely re-worked with a new design that angles the center stack towards the driver and boasts better materials such as brushed plastic trim, aluminum, and soft-touch materials. Paired with a smaller steering wheel and a set of supportive bucket seats with extra side bolstering to keep you in place, help make the Challenger SRT a very special place indeed. My test Challenger featured the excellent Uconnect infotainment system with the 8.4-inch touchscreen. I have praised the system for being very easy to use and quick to respond. But on the Challenger SRT, Uconnect gets an extra component. Under the screen is a SRT button which brings up a special SRT section. This section allows you to customize settings for the power and adjustable suspension, provide extra gauges such as oil pressure and temperature; and give performance data such 0-60 and quarter-mile times. It's a nice touch for those who go for the SRT model.For Powertrain and Handling Thoughts, See the Next Page Power for the Challenger SRT comes from 6.4L HEMI V8 engine with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. This can be paired up to either a six-speed manual or my tester’s eight-speed automatic. If you ever wondered what a 70’s muscle car was like, just go for a drive or ride in the SRT. The V8 growls when you start it up or sit at a stop. Plant your foot onto the pedal and the V8 roars to life. Thrust from the V8 engine is able to move the 4,251 pound vehicle like it was nothing. The eight-speed automatic is an excellent partner to V8 as it provides rapid-fire up or downshifts and is able to respond to the needs of driver, whether driving like a mad man or normal. Fuel economy is rated at 15 City/25 Highway/18 Combined. I saw an average of 17 MPG for a week. A big complaint of the Challenger is that compared to its contemporaries - Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang - is that it doesn’t have the nimble handling characteristics. I can see that because the Challenger is not only heavier, but also slightly larger that its competitors. Here are the measurements: Overall Length and Wheelbase: Dodge Challenger: 197.9 inches, 116.2 inches Chevrolet Camaro: 190.6 inches, 112.3 inches Ford Mustang: 188.3 inches, 107.1 inches Overall Width: Dodge Challenger: 75.7 inches Chevrolet Camaro: 75.5 to 76.9 (Z/28) inches Ford Mustang: 75.4 inches Curb Weight: Dodge Challenger: 3,834 to 4,449 pounds Chevrolet Camaro: 3,702 to 4,149 pounds* Ford Mustang: 3,526 to 3,729* (*Camaro and Mustang's curb weight are only for coupes) Dodge and SRT has been working on this with an adjustable suspension system. For 2015, the system has been tweaked to provide more settings and more stiffness when you put it into sport mode. Does it make a difference? It does up to a point. The suspension isn’t fully able hide the weight and size, but it does a surprisingly excellent job of reducing it. Also, the suspension deserves a round of applause for making the Challenger feel more nimble than it should. Driving the Challenger on a curvy road, I was surprised by how fast I could go in corners. Some of the credit should also go the steering which has excellent feel and weight.Now the suspension has one other trick up its sleeve. Put it into normal or comfort, and the Challenger becomes an excellent long-distance cruiser. The suspension in either mode is able to soak up bumps with almost no problem. Wind and road noise is kept a decent level, despite the shape of the Challenger. The Challenger SRT has one big problem and that happens to be the Challenger R/T Scat Pack model. For $7,500 less than the base price of the SRT, you pretty much get everything except the adjustable. This begs the question whether the SRT model is worth the extra change? At the moment, I would say yes because the suspension makes a big difference in how the Challenger handles. But the nevertheless, the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT is huge step in the right direction. It might not have all of the agility or lighter weight that the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, but it definitely has the performance soul to match and/or exceed either one of those. To sum up the Challenger, I liken it to that quiet guy at the bar. You know the one who sitting there quietly, enjoying their drink, and wanting no part in what's taking place. But if provoked, he will smash your head into a door. Disclaimer: Dodge Provided the Challenger SRT, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Dodge Model: Challenger Trim: SRT 392 Engine: 6.4L HEMI V8 Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, Rear-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 485 @ 6,100 Torque @ RPM: 475 @ 4,200 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - Curb Weight: 4,251 lbs Location of Manufacture: Brampton, Ontario Base Price: $44,995 As Tested Price: $49,675 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: TorqueFlite Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission - $1,400.00 Technology Group - $995.00 UConnect 8.4AN AM/FM/SXM/HD/BT/NAV - $695.00 Twin Center Black Stripes - $595.00 View full article
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The latter half of the oughts have seen the Detroit automakers come out swinging with their muscle cars. General Motors has gone crazy with the Camaro, while Ford keeps amping up the Mustang. Dodge has been quietly working on improving the Challenger for the most part - and of course introducing the Hellcat V8. But while the Hellcat has taken the spotlight for the Challenger, it has put other Challenger models in the shadow. That’s kind of a shame since Dodge has worked on bettering the Challenger with major improvements and new trims. To find out whether or not other Challenger models deserve a spot in the light, I spent some time in a 2015 Challenger SRT. Looking at the Challenger SRT, you can’t help but think that Dodge issued an edict to its designers saying to keep the basic shape of the original Challenger, but bring it into the 21st century. It seems the edict worked as the current Challenger holds true to the original name-bearer. From the gun-barrel headlights and split grille lines; to the short rear deck and distinctive rear light setup: There is very much a clear lineage to the original Challenger. The SRT tester was draped in a Billet Silver paint color with black strips, and a set of 20-inch forged wheels wearing a coat of black which adds bit of aggression. One of the biggest problems for the pre-refreshed Challenger was its interior. A somewhat plain looking dashboard was mixed with cheap plastics mostly common in compacts from the eighties and a steering wheel that felt more at home in a tractor than a muscle car. But with the refreshed Challenger, Dodge fixed many problems. To start, the dashboard has been completely re-worked with a new design that angles the center stack towards the driver and boasts better materials such as brushed plastic trim, aluminum, and soft-touch materials. Paired with a smaller steering wheel and a set of supportive bucket seats with extra side bolstering to keep you in place, help make the Challenger SRT a very special place indeed. My test Challenger featured the excellent Uconnect infotainment system with the 8.4-inch touchscreen. I have praised the system for being very easy to use and quick to respond. But on the Challenger SRT, Uconnect gets an extra component. Under the screen is a SRT button which brings up a special SRT section. This section allows you to customize settings for the power and adjustable suspension, provide extra gauges such as oil pressure and temperature; and give performance data such 0-60 and quarter-mile times. It's a nice touch for those who go for the SRT model.For Powertrain and Handling Thoughts, See the Next Page Power for the Challenger SRT comes from 6.4L HEMI V8 engine with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. This can be paired up to either a six-speed manual or my tester’s eight-speed automatic. If you ever wondered what a 70’s muscle car was like, just go for a drive or ride in the SRT. The V8 growls when you start it up or sit at a stop. Plant your foot onto the pedal and the V8 roars to life. Thrust from the V8 engine is able to move the 4,251 pound vehicle like it was nothing. The eight-speed automatic is an excellent partner to V8 as it provides rapid-fire up or downshifts and is able to respond to the needs of driver, whether driving like a mad man or normal. Fuel economy is rated at 15 City/25 Highway/18 Combined. I saw an average of 17 MPG for a week. A big complaint of the Challenger is that compared to its contemporaries - Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang - is that it doesn’t have the nimble handling characteristics. I can see that because the Challenger is not only heavier, but also slightly larger that its competitors. Here are the measurements: Overall Length and Wheelbase: Dodge Challenger: 197.9 inches, 116.2 inches Chevrolet Camaro: 190.6 inches, 112.3 inches Ford Mustang: 188.3 inches, 107.1 inches Overall Width: Dodge Challenger: 75.7 inches Chevrolet Camaro: 75.5 to 76.9 (Z/28) inches Ford Mustang: 75.4 inches Curb Weight: Dodge Challenger: 3,834 to 4,449 pounds Chevrolet Camaro: 3,702 to 4,149 pounds* Ford Mustang: 3,526 to 3,729* (*Camaro and Mustang's curb weight are only for coupes) Dodge and SRT has been working on this with an adjustable suspension system. For 2015, the system has been tweaked to provide more settings and more stiffness when you put it into sport mode. Does it make a difference? It does up to a point. The suspension isn’t fully able hide the weight and size, but it does a surprisingly excellent job of reducing it. Also, the suspension deserves a round of applause for making the Challenger feel more nimble than it should. Driving the Challenger on a curvy road, I was surprised by how fast I could go in corners. Some of the credit should also go the steering which has excellent feel and weight.Now the suspension has one other trick up its sleeve. Put it into normal or comfort, and the Challenger becomes an excellent long-distance cruiser. The suspension in either mode is able to soak up bumps with almost no problem. Wind and road noise is kept a decent level, despite the shape of the Challenger. The Challenger SRT has one big problem and that happens to be the Challenger R/T Scat Pack model. For $7,500 less than the base price of the SRT, you pretty much get everything except the adjustable. This begs the question whether the SRT model is worth the extra change? At the moment, I would say yes because the suspension makes a big difference in how the Challenger handles. But the nevertheless, the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT is huge step in the right direction. It might not have all of the agility or lighter weight that the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, but it definitely has the performance soul to match and/or exceed either one of those. To sum up the Challenger, I liken it to that quiet guy at the bar. You know the one who sitting there quietly, enjoying their drink, and wanting no part in what's taking place. But if provoked, he will smash your head into a door. Disclaimer: Dodge Provided the Challenger SRT, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Dodge Model: Challenger Trim: SRT 392 Engine: 6.4L HEMI V8 Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, Rear-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 485 @ 6,100 Torque @ RPM: 475 @ 4,200 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - Curb Weight: 4,251 lbs Location of Manufacture: Brampton, Ontario Base Price: $44,995 As Tested Price: $49,675 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: TorqueFlite Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission - $1,400.00 Technology Group - $995.00 UConnect 8.4AN AM/FM/SXM/HD/BT/NAV - $695.00 Twin Center Black Stripes - $595.00 -
Rolls-Royce News: Rolls-Royce Goes Forward On A SUV
William Maley replied to William Maley's topic in Rolls-Royce
I think that has been talked about - at least rumored within the past month or so. -
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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From the album: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
