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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    By Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com July 26th, 2013 You could be excused if the on again, off again, on again status of certain models from Chrysler and Dodge left you wondering what exactly is going on in that big office building in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Going back to at least the beginning of 2012, the fate of Chrysler's mid-size cars and mini-vans has been murky. Much of the uncertainty is over whether the vehicles will each see a direct replacement or a move to a different segment. However, a report out today from Automobile Magazine adds uncertainty to the current models as well. The rumors say that the current Dodge Avenger will now stay in production until the end of 2015 while the Dodge Caravan's termination has been pushed out till at least 2017, but both the Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country could live on to the next generation. Previously we mentioned that the Dodge Grand Caravan could cease to be as we currently know it, transforming instead into a 7-seat Crossover while the Chrysler Town & Country carried on in the Mini-van segment. Now, the 7-seat crossover could end up at Chrysler with both the Town & Country and Caravan continuing in their current roles. The current Chrysler 200 Sedan will still have a short 2014 run before being replaced by a model that shares a platform with the Dodge Dart. Sales have been up for the Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, and Dodge Grand Caravan so far this year, possibly buying Chrysler some time to make up its mind. Source: Automobile Magazine View full article
  2. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Rumorpile: Dodge Grand Caravan and Avenger get short stay of execution"
    By Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com July 26th, 2013 You could be excused if the on again, off again, on again status of certain models from Chrysler and Dodge left you wondering what exactly is going on in that big office building in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Going back to at least the beginning of 2012, the fate of Chrysler's mid-size cars and mini-vans has been murky. Much of the uncertainty is over whether the vehicles will each see a direct replacement or a move to a different segment. However, a report out today from Automobile Magazine adds uncertainty to the current models as well. The rumors say that the current Dodge Avenger will now stay in production until the end of 2015 while the Dodge Caravan's termination has been pushed out till at least 2017, but both the Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country could live on to the next generation. Previously we mentioned that the Dodge Grand Caravan could cease to be as we currently know it, transforming instead into a 7-seat Crossover while the Chrysler Town & Country carried on in the Mini-van segment. Now, the 7-seat crossover could end up at Chrysler with both the Town & Country and Caravan continuing in their current roles. The current Chrysler 200 Sedan will still have a short 2014 run before being replaced by a model that shares a platform with the Dodge Dart. Sales have been up for the Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, and Dodge Grand Caravan so far this year, possibly buying Chrysler some time to make up its mind. Source: Automobile Magazine
  3. Drew Dowdell
    what was the primary reason for C-O-E that it was made a marketing feature? (honest question, I really don't know)
  4. Drew Dowdell
    And there is also Fiat and Alfa Romeo in that picture as well.....Fiat for small cars, Alfa Romeo to target VW and Acura cross-shoppers, maybe... Alfa will be going into waters much deeper than Volkswagen and Acura territory. Marchionne wants Alfa to target BMW buyers. That said, there's still room for Dodge. Chrysler will go after VW. Or, to put it another way ... Fiat: Small cars sold here for CAFE ratings. Dodge: Budget performance with heritage. RAM: Truck brand. Jeep: SUVs and crossovers. Chrysler/Lancia: Entry-level premium cars with an emphasis on a higher content of luxury and technology than Dodge. Think Oldsmobile, less Buick or Mercury. SRT: In house tuning division for Chrysler products. Think AMG. Alfa Romeo: Premium brand. Maserati: Luxury brand. Ferrari: Halo brand. That's nine brands total. With the Mopar (just OEM motor parts), Fiat Professional, and Iveco brands thrown into the mix, the number grows to twelve. For the record, that's still a few brands less than VW Group. Tellingly, there is no where in there that I see the "mundane but fantastically selling family car" fitting. Where does the Camry/Accord/Fusion fighter fit? Fiat would be the home for FWD volume models, I would think. I just don't see Fiat building a Camry/Accord/Fusion fighter any time soon.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    And there is also Fiat and Alfa Romeo in that picture as well.....Fiat for small cars, Alfa Romeo to target VW and Acura cross-shoppers, maybe... Alfa will be going into waters much deeper than Volkswagen and Acura territory. Marchionne wants Alfa to target BMW buyers. That said, there's still room for Dodge. Chrysler will go after VW. Or, to put it another way ... Fiat: Small cars sold here for CAFE ratings. Dodge: Budget performance with heritage. RAM: Truck brand. Jeep: SUVs and crossovers. Chrysler/Lancia: Entry-level premium cars with an emphasis on a higher content of luxury and technology than Dodge. Think Oldsmobile, less Buick or Mercury. SRT: In house tuning division for Chrysler products. Think AMG. Alfa Romeo: Premium brand. Maserati: Luxury brand. Ferrari: Halo brand. That's nine brands total. With the Mopar (just OEM motor parts), Fiat Professional, and Iveco brands thrown into the mix, the number grows to twelve. For the record, that's still a few brands less than VW Group. Tellingly, there is no where in there that I see the "mundane but fantastically selling family car" fitting. Where does the Camry/Accord/Fusion fighter fit?
  6. Drew Dowdell
    I think William would be a good candidate to answer that question since he just took the 2014 Hyundai Equus out for a spin.
  7. Drew Dowdell
    Dwight, What about a compromise idea? A 15 degree V4 that uses the same pistons as the V8 and triple overhead cam valvetrain. This way, it would allow for the short hood that you're aiming for but also allow for use in most FWD applications as well. The downside is that turbocharging would be more difficult without some creative intake and exhaust routing, but that may be the price to pay for having the engine able to be used in all places where an Ecotec 4-cylinder is today. I just don't see GM building a 4-cylinder that can only be used in RWD cars.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    Maybe a C&G design contest for Cadillac's new logo?
  9. Drew Dowdell
    It could be but you can not go too low as you have to account for the hood engine clearance that is required in so many markets now. Also if the hood clearance was that much of an issue you can lay a Eco over it you like. Many companies will lay inline engines over for lower center of gravity or for hood clearance. Hood clearance on a pushdrod V4 would still be lower than the DOHC I-4... and in that picture, it looks taller than the ATS. So, starting with the ATS hood height, which is relatively low, a V4 should be able to be even lower.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    Plug wires would be my next call.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    Upper most Button next to the screen on the right.
  12. Drew Dowdell
    Regarding the original proposed image, wouldn't a pushrod V4 allow for a lower hood height than a DOHC I-4? Couldn't the nose and indeed the entire beltline be lower?
  13. Drew Dowdell
    it is taxed at a higher rate than gasoline.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    I LIKE the wreath, it has far more character than the plain circle(s) or oval everyone else has
  15. Drew Dowdell
    The 7-series convertible is badged 6-series.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    Hyundai is guilty of this in the Sonata at least.... if not others also.
  17. Drew Dowdell
    Which still doesn't tell the whole story. Cars like the Leaf and Beetle allow for much more upright seating. I love Upright Seating. The worst thing for me is being reclined trying to drive. Not sure how select youth can drive being reclined and barely able to see over the dash. Weird in my book. ..well... not quite what I meant. Driving my '81 Toronado is like driving a very low set couch. My legs are almost straight out in front of me, which is fine because there is plenty of leg room and even if there wasn't no one rides in the back anyway. In the Beetle, it is closer to an SUV like posture more like sitting in an office chair. In neither case is the seatback reclined like what you're talking about.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    Which still doesn't tell the whole story. Cars like the Leaf and Beetle allow for much more upright seating.
  19. Drew Dowdell
    only $1.2 billion to upgrade Crewe AND develop the SUV? Clearly, they are just going to platform engineer something from elsewhere in VAG.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    Yes, they ran with the 350 Gasser as standard and the diesel 350 optional for '79 In '80, the 307 became standard with the 350 gasser optional for the first half of the year and the 350 diesel for the whole year. '81 added the 4.1 V6 and officially dropped the 350 gasser and the rest of the run till '85 was made of up mostly 307 equipped cars with 350d equipped making up the rest.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    Nice. I've been really attracted to Jaguar models of late.
  22. Drew Dowdell
    Least desirable year of that generation unfortunately... they'll have to come down in price, they've over valued it by 100% Styling mostly. Only 18 months with that engine setup. Sales really took off after the '80 update. Ugg... get rid of those wide whites...
  23. Drew Dowdell
    Akerson
  24. Drew Dowdell
    *yawn*
  25. Drew Dowdell
    They have nearly as much room inside as a Tahoe.... that qualifies as large
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