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Archives for May 2013

GMC Sierra Denali Moves Atop the Performance Heap

May 31, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

2014 GMC Sierra Denali

This June, General Motors will release the 2014 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, the newest generation of its large pickup truck lines. The trucks have been receiving a lot of attention during the run up for the release, representing perhaps one of the most important new products this year for both the GMC and Chevrolet brands. No, I am not forgetting the Corvette — when it comes to a moneymaker, these trucks are it.

Truck Brand Loyalty

Pickup truck buyers are extremely brand loyal with customers typically staying with a brand from generation to generation. You’d have a difficult time persuading a Ram owner to switch to GMC or a Chevrolet owner to buy a Ford. Just ask Toyota and Nissan about luring big pickup truck buyers to these brands and you’d quickly learn that this last bastion of domestic vehicle production remains a nearly impenetrable fortress.

Still, there are tens of thousands of new pickup truck buyers that are examining the field and ready to make the jump. Fleet buyers, who have stayed out of the market for several years are back in, as the housing recovery continues and as old trucks need to be replaced. This has presented an opportunity for all large pickup truck manufacturers to push their respective brands with GMC doing so with its Sierra 1500 and most recently with its top-of-the-line Sierra Denali.

2014 GMC Sierra Denali

  • Sticker price from $48,000 (est.)
  • Available in three cabin arrangements
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 6.2-liter FlexFuel 16-valve V-8 engine
  • 420 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
  • 450 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,100 rpm
  • 4.06 inches bore by 3.62 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 11:5 to 1
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 119/133/143.5 inches
  • Length: 205.5/224.4/229.5/239 inches
  • Width: 80 inches
  • Height: 73.7 inches (est.)
  • Storage Volume: 53.4/61/69 cubic feet
  • Towing Capacity: 12,000 pounds
  • EPA: MPG TBA
  • Fuel Tank: 26 gallons
  • Curb Weight: From 4,942 pounds
  • Payload: From 1,577 pounds
  • Vehicle Assembly: Fort Wayne, Ind.

Sierra Denali Performance

As before, the 2014 GMC Sierra will be available in regular, double and crew cab configurations. The latest generation of its engine line, dubbed EcoTec3, are featured and come in more fuel efficient and with improved performance over the previous generation powerplants.

Indeed, its largest V-8 — displacing at 6.2-liters — is its most powerful one ever with an SAE-rating of 420 horsepower and 450 foot-pounds of torque, the best in its class. That power is important to the people that need it the most, namely enthusiasts and fleet owners that demand it. It is also the engine powering the GMC Denali, representing the pinnacle of the Sierra pickup truck line. Every GMC truck is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Trailering capabilities is important to this segment too and GMC expects that the Sierra Denali will be rated to pull up to 12,000 pounds. That’s top in its class, beating out Ford, Ram, Toyota and Nissan. If you want one, however, you’ll have to wait until the fall — General Motors is releasing its large pickup trucks with the smaller engines first.

Sierra Denali Styling

The GMC Sierra Denali offers a number of features not available in other models. Its signature chrome grille, special 20-inch chrome wheels, polished stainless steel exhaust outlet and body-colored bumpers are among the distinctives noted. Inside, the Sierra Denali features special “Denali” scripting on the door sills and embossed on the front seats. An eight-inch customizable driver display features IntelliLink connectivity.

Other stand out Sierra Denali features include heated and cooled front bucket seats, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, a heated steering wheel, a power sliding rear window with defogger and projector-style headlamps accented with LED signature daytime running lights.

Segment Competitors

The GMC Sierra Denali occupies the top-end of the pickup truck segment competing against similar Ford and Ram models. The Ford F-150 includes King Ranch, Platinum and Limited editions while Ram serves up the 1500 Laramie Longhorn.


See Also — Handsome Truck: 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 4×4 Crew Cab SLT

Photo courtesy of General Motors Company.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: 2014 MODELS, ECOTEC3, Ford, GM, GMC SIERRA, NISSAN, RAM, SIERRA DENALI, Toyota

Chrysler Announces 2014 Fiat 500L Pricing

May 30, 2013 by admin 2 Comments

2014 Fiat 500L

And then there were five. This June, a fifth Fiat 500 model goes on sale when the extended wheelbase 500L debuts. The new model seats five and joins the standard, Abarth, Cabrio and EV versions of this now well-known Italian motorcar.

2014 Fiat 500L

Priced from $19,100, the 2014 Fiat 500L will be available in Pop, Easy, Trekking and Lounge editions. It is powered by a 1.4-liter four cylinder turbocharged engine and paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an available six-speed dual-clutch six-speed. Fiat tapped its manufacturing plant in Serbia to assemble the vehicle.

2014 Fiat 500L

  • Sticker price from $19,100
  • Available in four trim levels
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 1.4-liter SOHC 16-valve I-4 engine
  • 160 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
  • 184 foot-pounds of torque @ 2,500 rpm
  • 2.83 inches bore by 3.31 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 9:8 to 1
  • Six-speed transmissions
  • Wheelbase: 102.8 inches
  • Length: 167.1 inches
  • Width: 69.8 inches
  • Height: 65.7 inches
  • Passenger Volume: 99.7 cubic feet
  • Storage Volume: 23.1 cubic feet
  • Towing Capacity: not rated
  • EPA: MPG TBA
  • Fuel Tank: 13.2 gallons
  • Curb Weight: From 3,203 pounds
  • Vehicle Assembly: Kragujevac, Serbia

Notably, this B-segment multi-purpose vehicle offers 122.8 cubic feet of interior space putting it in the “large car” category for EPA reporting purposes. That’s a noteworthy fact as other 500 models offer room for four and not much storage capacity. The Fiat 500L is as close to being a non-500 model as possible with additional Alfa-Romeo and Fiat models still to come.

Small-Wide Platform

For now, leveraging the 500 franchise is what Fiat does best — at least in North America. Extending the wheelbase and adding two doors adds 26 inches to the 500′s length and six inches each to the width and height. The Fiat 500L actually harnesses different vehicle architecture, sitting on the company’s “small-wide” platform.

Besides the expected 500 styling cues, the 500L offers unique glass roof pillars that make it possible to see around the vehicle without obstruction.

Technology Grade

Technology is a key feature of all models today and the Fiat 500L will not disappoint. Chrysler’s UConnect system comes to a Fiat model for the first time, bringing to this model hands-free calling, text-message receiving, voice-controlled audio and a special driver’s app.

The exclusive Beats by Dr. Dre audio system, smartphone compatibility and available SiriusXM satellite radio round out the package. A five-inch touchscreen display is standard; a 6.5-inch screen is available and brings in navigation.

Safety Features

The current Fiat 500 has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “top safety pick” rating. It will be interesting to see how the Fiat 500L holds up especially with the roof strength tests the IIHS has been conducting these past few years. Glass pillars, anyone?

The vehicle’s airbag system includes a driver’s knee air bag and side-curtain airbags. Other safety features include electronic stability control, hill-start assist, daytime running lights and traction control.

Other Fiat 500L models are priced as follows: Easy: $20,195, Trekking: $21,195 and Lounge: $24,195. All prices do not include an $800 destination charge.


See Also — Tiny SUV: 2017 Fiat 500X

Photo courtesy of the Chrysler Group.

Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: 1.4-liter, CHRYSLER GROUP, FIAT, FIAT 500L, MultiAir, Serbia

About the Fourth Generation Nissan Pathfinder

May 29, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder made its US debut for the 1987 model year originally as a five-passenger SUV powered by a standard 2.4-liter four or an optional 3.0-liter V-6 engine. It was based on Nissan’s small truck platform and it stayed that way for three generations.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Beginning in 2013, Nissan made the switch to unibody construction, offering a more car-like ride and enlarging the vehicle. The Pathfinder name remains, now assigned to a medium-size crossover utility vehicle that is available in front- and all-wheel drive layouts.

The switch to a unibody platform for the Nissan Pathfinder was inevitable. Competing models, including the Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango, had recently made the switch, joining the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse and related models in providing roomy and efficient crossovers. In the transition Pathfinder loses some of its utility, namely its off-road prowess, and exchanges that for a more comfortable on-road ride.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder 4×2

  • Sticker price from $28,650
  • Available in six trim levels
  • Seats 7 occupants
  • 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine
  • 260 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
  • 240 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,400 rpm
  • 3.78 inches bore by 3.19 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.3 to 1
  • Continuously variable transmission
  • Wheelbase: 114.2 inches
  • Length: 197.2 inches
  • Width: 77.2 inches
  • Height: 69.6 inches
  • Passenger Volume: 157.8 cubic feet
  • Storage Volume: 16.0/42.4/79.8 cubic feet
  • Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
  • EPA: 20 mpg city, 26 mpg hwy.
  • Fuel Tank: 19.5 gallons
  • Curb Weight: From 4,149 pounds
  • Vehicle Assembly: Smyrna, Tenn.

Continuously Variable Transmission

The fourth generation Nissan Pathfinder is powered by a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Gone is the base 4.0-liter V-6 and the optional 5.6-liter V-8. The new model relies on one engine and that motor is paired with a continuously variable transmission. This CVT is clean-shifting and avoids the bumping you feel when an automatic transmission is moving between gears.

The outside of the Nissan Pathfinder is dominated by the brand’s trademark grille. Oversized headlights and optional fog lights round out the revised fascia. The body features sweeping lines with narrow A- and D-pillars. Color-keyed heated side mirrors, chrome touches and wraparound tail lights add to its personality. This vehicle sits on 18-inch alloy wheels.

Four Trim Levels

Inside, the cabin is spacious, brightly lit and features soft touch materials throughout. Seating surfaces are overlaid with leather and provide sufficient bolstering for the driver. Nissan makes the Pathfinder available in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Premium.

The tested Nissan Pathfinder SL edition was a 4×2 model featuring an 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support. The driver and front passenger seats featured heating and cooling capabilities. The second row seat is a three-place bench design offered heating capabilities. It folds and moves forward to provide access to the two-place 50/50 rear folding seat.

Pathfinder is outfitted with a tri-zone climate control system, offering separate controls for the driver, front passenger and second-row passengers. This model came equipped with a 13-speaker Bose audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, a seven-inch monitor, a rear view camera and a rear entertainment system. A navigation system was not included, reserved exclusively for the Premium model.

Ample Storage Options

Crossover models typically offer ample storage and the Nissan Pathfinder does not disappoint. Though it seats seven, there are 16 drink holders available — six each in the first and second rows, and four in the third row. Storage compartments include the door pockets, between the seats and in the floor of the rear storage area. This model also features an overhead sunglasses storage compartment up front, roof rails and side rails. A sunroof and a panoramic moonroof are included. Four 12-volt outlets and one 120-volt outlet are also included.

The all-new Nissan Pathfinder can tow and has a 5,000-pound trailering limit. Numerous safety features are standard including anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, stability control and a full complement of airbags including side curtain airbags. As tested, the Pathfinder SL retails for $38,720, but keep in mind that to get the navigation system you will need to upgrade to the pricier Premium model.

All-New Nissan Pathfinder

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder offers a clear departure from previous generation models. That break may cost Nissan some customers, but it can also extend this model’s appeal to a new generation of crossover buyers. Clearly, Nissan believes that these new buyers will be enough to carry forth the Pathfinder name.


See Also — Refreshed 2017 Nissan Pathfinder Takes a Bow

Photo courtesy of Nissan.

Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: 2013 MODELS, 4x2, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION, crossover, midsize SUV, Nissan Pathfinder

GM Touts Free Summer Plant Tours

May 28, 2013 by admin 1 Comment

GM Road Trip

Here’s a thought on how to spend your summer vacation: pay a visit to one or more GM manufacturing plants. That is exactly what GM is inviting summer vacationers to do this year although taking in all five recommended destinations over a two week span may not play well with every family member.

Summer Plant Tours

Still, GM is offering something you rarely hear about these days: the opportunity to visit a manufacturing plant or other car facility. To encourage your visits, GM has pulled together a list of visitor-friendly plants and facilities that can help you learn about the manufacturing process, take in automotive history and get a glimpse of the company’s future.

These locations are mostly on the eastern side of the country and include a transmission facility, an engine plant, the company’s headquarter’s in Detroit, a stamping facility and the Corvette museum in Kentucky. Except for the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., every venue is free. Compare “free” to your cost for a visit to your favorite theme park and you just might find moms and dads interested in adding a GM plant stop to the vacation itinerary.

Five-Stop Summer Plant Circuit

If visiting all five suggested GM locations interests you, then you can start and finish your trip in the same location or head back home after completing your fifth stop.

The first stop on your trip may have you visiting the Baltimore Transmission Plant, home of GM’s electric motors assembly. Nearby attractions include the Baltimore Harbor national aquarium; Washington, DC, is just an hour south.

Your second stop could take you north to Buffalo, NY, with a stop at the Tonawanda Engine Plant. That facility currently builds 2.0- and 2.5-liter four cylinder engines and will soon supply V-8 engines for GM’s next generation full-size pickup trucks and for the Chevrolet Corvette. Niagara Falls is perhaps the most popular local attraction for summer travelers.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette: Summer Plant tour

Your summer plant tour can include
a Kentucky Corvette museum stop.

Head southwest or cross over into Canada to head west to Detroit. While there, you can take in a Detroit Tigers baseball game and visit the reviving downtown. The centerpiece of the city is the Renaissance Center overlooking the Detroit River, and the international headquarters for GM. Check out the car displays in the lobby including the company’s current models and the occasional special display.

When resuming your trip, head west to Kansas City, Kansas, to visit the Fairfax Assembly & Stamping Plant. This stop reveals the manufacturing process where rolls of metal are stamped into body panels and includes stops in the body shop, paint shop and general assembly where cars are started for the first time. Criss-cross the Mississippi River to take in both Kansas Cities and a KC Royals baseball game.

Your last stop will have you heading east toward where your trip began: in Baltimore. Along the way you can stop in Bowling Green, Ky., to visit the National Corvette Museum. This stop is the only one where an admission fee is charged, and is the location for Corvette production and where countless Corvette memorabilia is on display. Stop by on June 27-28 and you can take in a special Corvette 60th Anniversary event featuring the first display of seventh-generation or C7 Corvettes for your review.

Summer Plant Consideration

GM is not limiting its summer plant tours to these five facilities. The company has other visitor-friendly facilities across the United States, indeed around the world, with details published on its website at gm.com. Realistically, you might not be able to visit more than one of the suggested locations, but adding just one stop to your itinerary could spark creative interest in one or more of your children and perhaps banish the “we’re bored!” feelings that tend to crop up while you are away from home.


See Also — Vehicle Lightweighting Achieved Through Composites

Summer road tour photo courtesy of General Motors Company.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: engine plant, GM, NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM, Renaissance Center, stamping plant, transmission plant

Priced to Lease: Chevrolet Spark EV

May 27, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Chevrolet Spark EV

The electric vehicle market is a tiny one with most manufacturers having a stake in the game. For GM, its first pure electric vehicle is its Chevrolet Spark EV, a microcar built in South Korea and also sold separately with a gasoline engine. Last week, GM announced pricing and leasing details for the new model which goes on sale this June at select Chevrolet dealerships in Oregon and California.

Chevrolet Spark EV

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV is priced from $27,495 and may cost owners as little as $19,995 when the federal tax credit is taken. That tax credit is for up to $7,500 and depends on a number of factors including the buyer’s income.

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV

  • Sticker price from $27,495
  • Seats 4 occupants
  • 100 horsepower
  • 400 foot-pounds of torque
  • Lithium-ion battery
  • Single-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 93.5 inches
  • Length: 146.5 inches
  • Width: 64.0 inches
  • Height: 62.6 inches
  • Passenger Volume: 86.3 cubic feet
  • Storage Volume: 9.6/23.4 cubic feet
  • Towing Capacity: N/A
  • EPA: 119 MPGe
  • Curb Weight: From 2,989 pounds
  • Vehicle Assembly: South Korea

California buyers may also qualify for state tax incentives and credits that can lower the Chevrolet Spark EV’s final price even lower. Those tax breaks may yield an additional $2,500 in savings, resulting in a final price of $17,495. Moreover, by relying on an EV for transportation, buyers can eliminate up to $150 per month in gasoline charges. Other maintenance costs such as oil changes are also removed from the ownership experience.

Financing and Leasing Options

To offer further enticement for electric vehicle shoppers, GM’s leasing arm is offering the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV 1LT for as low as $199 per month for 36 months. That represents a low-mile lease and also requires lessees to contribute $999 at lease signing in addition to the security deposit. Taxes, tags and dealer fees are extra.

With an estimated electric driving range of 82 miles when fully charged, the Chevrolet Spark EV will deliver an equivalent 119 MPGe. GM outfits this model with a 21 kWh lithium-ion battery pack backed by an eight-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Quick Charge Possibilities

The Spark EV also comes with an industry first feature: an available SAE combo charger for for DC Fast Charging. When used, the Chevrolet Spark EV can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 20 minutes at DC Fast Charging stations. Consumers can find nearby charging stations by searching online. And, yes, there is a free app for that.

Every Chevrolet Spark EV sold also comes with three years of OnStar Directions and Connections service. That service includes Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation. Chevrolet says that it will also provide customer assistance by means of a Spark EV advisor. Dedicated electric vehicle service and trained sales experts are in place at the selected Chevrolet dealerships.

Chevrolet Model Options

With the Spark EV in the mix, Chevrolet now offers a variety of vehicles that do not require an internal combustion engine alone. The Chevrolet Volt, its plug-in electric vehicle, is the best-known of its other models. The Chevrolet Malibu eAssist is outfitted with a mild hybrid system, while both its Silverado pickup truck and large Tahoe SUV can be had with a two-mode hybrid system. Only the Spark EV and Volt currently qualify for federal tax incentives.


See Also — Automotive Leasing and Lending Continue Rise

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: Chevrolet, CHEVROLET SPARK EV, ELECTRIC VEHICLE, EV, GM, hatchback, MICROCAR

Hot SUV: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

May 24, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Updated May 25, 2013, to reflect correct towing limit.

Do you know your SUV history? No, not that Jeep and Land Rover got the segment going beginning in the 1940s, rather that souped up SUVs are uncommon, especially a factory-built model. After all, SUVs are bulky, creaky and just plain uncool, right?

Yes, there are a fair share of aftermarket enhanced SUVs on the road, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is proof that a factory-built performance model has its place in the mix. And this Grand Cherokee does the whole performance thing better than the GMC Typhoon, itself a hot SUV built for two model years ending in 1993. For one, the Grand Cherokee SRT is of unibody construction, providing a tighter fit, a smoother ride and quieter interior than the body-on-frame Typhoon. For another, two decades have passed since the Typhoon’s exit and the technologies found in the SRT simply did not exist when the Typhoon was built. Both models are cool, but the Grand Cherokee is uber cool.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Let’s start with the facade. The 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT offers a similar overall design to the 2013 edition with a few important changes. Those changes include a tweaked fascia, updated lighting and new wheels. A blacked-out look dominates the SRT’s front end, with the grille, and the surfaces surrounding the headlights similarly affected. In the rear, the same blacked out treatment surrounds the tail lights. Notably, the grille is shorter and moved slightly higher while new tail lights flank the rear.

New wheel options provide a dramatic look to the sculpted SRT’s profile. Fully polished, five-spoke 20-inch Goliath wheels provide a distinctive look and are encased within Pirelli P Zero three-season tires. Yes, if you live in snow country you’ll need to replace these with winter tires as the grip won’t be enough to safely stop you when road conditions are icy.

Inside, seating is for five with both the driver and front passenger supported by bolstered sport seats. Seating surfaces are covered in leather and suede, with Laguna leather and an Alcantara headliner available. A brand-new steering wheel, wrapped in leather and offering a heating function, features numerous operating controls and a pair of paddle shifters. Brightly lit gauges and an 8.4-inch center stack display screen provide a balanced look without overwhelming the senses. The center console also features the stick shift and drive mode control, the latter making it possible to drive in regular (auto), snow, tow, sport or track modes.

SRT Performance Capabilities

The Grand Cherokee SRT emphasizes its sporting credentials and does so in a big way. This 470-hp beast can get moving, inviting you to toy with the driving mode to see just how fast the SRT can move as well as stop. On the display screen you can track your 0 to 60 mph, 1/8- and 1/4-mile times as well as your braking, steering angle, lateral and longitudinal G-Forces, and performance output.

Needless to say, this writer experimented at least a half a dozen times with the launch sequence in a bid to propel the Grand Cherokee SRT from 0 to 60 mph as quickly as possibly. A best time of 5.0 seconds came in well short of the 4.5 seconds others have claimed. Figure that dedicated performance car drivers will nail that number which, by the way, beats the GMC Typhoon by 0.8 seconds.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT HEMI engine.

Braking is precise thanks to its world-class Brembo braking system. That system is evident the moment you set your eyes on the SRT as its front and rear calipers are clad in red.

SRT chose Brembo for its benchmark setting capabilities, a system known for bringing the burliest vehicles to a safe and clean stop while retaining brake pedal feel and minimizing brake fade. The Grand Cherokee SRT is outfitted with 15-inch rotors in the front with six-piston calipers; the rear features 13.8-inch rotors with four-piston calipers. This brake system arrangement is ideal for the Jeep as we’re talking about a model with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,500 pounds.

Jeep Driving Characteristics

Grand Cherokee SRT seat.Spirited driving defines SRT; making this possible for a coupe or a sedan is one thing, but it becomes much more of a challenge in an SUV. A higher profile, aerodynamic constraints and its heavier weight are issues that must be managed, something Chrysler’s engineering team has pulled off. Outfitting the Grand Cherokee with a hulking V-8 means providing it with a balanced suspension system, what it has accomplished by means of an independent front and multilink rear suspension with stabilizer bars. Add in a Bilstein adaptive damping suspension and the package is complete.

Chrysler tapped ZF to supply an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capabilities. This transmission is unique to the premium midsize SUV class and engages quietly and seamlessly. Shift to manual mode and you can paddle-shift your way down the road. The SRT’s rack and pinion steering is precise and handles tight turns and twisty roads with ease. Body roll is minimal — you may quickly forget that you’re driving an SUV.

SRT, Chrysler DNA

Jeep made sure that the Grand Cherokee SRT provides a complete package with performance, luxury, room and utility offered without compromise. Is DNA is derived from the best of the Chrysler Group as its performance parallels the Dodge Challenger and its luxury the Chrysler 300C. Its room and utility are all Jeep, the latter quite evident with its 7,200-pound towing capacity. Try to find another SUV that offers all this and you’d be hard pressed to succeed. Unless, of course, you happened to find one customized by its owner.

Its $62,995 base price is more than double that of the standard Grand Cherokee Laredo. Add in the 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio package, the full size spare and special tires and your price pushes into the upper 60s or where no Jeep has gone before. Clearly, if you want a performance Jeep and are looking for a happy compromise between the Dodge Challenger SRT and Chrysler 300C, this model delivers with utility features included.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 Engine

 

  • Sticker price from $62,995
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 6.4-liter HEMI OHV V-8engine
  • 470 horsepower at 6,000 rpm
  • 465 foot-pounds of torque at 4,300 rpm
  • 4.09 inches bore by 3.72 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.9 to 1
  • 8-speed automatic shiftable transmission
  • Wheelbase: 114.8 inches
  • Length: 191.3 inches
  • Width: 77.1 inches
  • Height: 69.1 inches
  • Passenger Volume: 105.4 cubic feet
  • Storage Volume: 35.1/68.7 cubic feet
  • Towing Capacity: 7,200 pounds
  • EPA: 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway
  • Premium grade gasoline recommended
  • Fuel Tank: 24.6 gallons
  • Curb Weight: From 5,150 pounds
  • Payload: 1,350 pounds
  • Vehicle Assembly: Saltillo, Mexico

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT dash.


See Also — Reviewed: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4×4

Photos by Matthew C. Keegan; you are free to use and attribute to autotrends.org.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2014 MODELS, BILSTEIN DAMPERS, BREMBO BRAKES, CHRYSLER 300C, DODGE CHALLENGER, HEMI ENGINE, Jeep Grand Cherokee, SRT

Hot SUV: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

May 24, 2013 by admin 1 Comment

Updated May 25, 2013, to reflect correct towing limit.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
A blacked-out facade highlights the Grand Cherokee SRT.

Do you know your SUV history? No, not that Jeep and Land Rover got the segment going beginning in the 1940s, rather that souped up SUVs are uncommon, especially a factory-built model. After all, SUVs are bulky, creaky and just plain uncool, right?

Yes, there are a fair share of aftermarket enhanced SUVs on the road, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is proof that a factory-built performance model has its place in the mix. And this Grand Cherokee does the whole performance thing better than the GMC Typhoon, itself a hot SUV built for two model years ending in 1993. For one, the Grand Cherokee SRT is of unibody construction, providing a tighter fit, a smoother ride and quieter interior than the body-on-frame Typhoon. For another, two decades have passed since the Typhoons exit and the technologies found in the SRT simply did not exist when the Typhoon was built. Both models are cool, but the Grand Cherokee is uber cool.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Let’s start with the facade. The 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT offers a similar overall design to the 2013 edition with a few important changes. Those changes include a tweaked fascia, updated lighting and new wheels. A blacked-out look dominates the SRTs front end, with the grille, and the surfaces surrounding the headlights similarly affected. In the rear, the same blacked out treatment surrounds the tail lights. Notably, the grille is shorter and moved slightly higher while new tail lights flank the rear.

New wheel options provide a dramatic look to the sculpted SRTs profile. Fully polished, five-spoke 20-inch Goliath wheels provide a distinctive look and are encased within Pirelli P Zero three-season tires. Yes, if you live in snow country youll need to replace these with winter tires as the grip wont be enough to safely stop you when road conditions are icy.

Inside, seating is for five with both the driver and front passenger supported by bolstered sport seats. Seating surfaces are covered in leather and suede, with Laguna leather and an Alcantara headliner available. A brand-new steering wheel, wrapped in leather and offering a heating function, features numerous operating controls and a pair of paddle shifters. Brightly lit gauges and an 8.4-inch center stack display screen provide a balanced look without overwhelming the senses. The center console also features the stick shift and drive mode control, the latter making it possible to drive in regular (auto), snow, tow, sport or track modes.

SRT Performance Capabilities

The Grand Cherokee SRT emphasizes its sporting credentials and does so in a big way. This 470-hp beast can get moving, inviting you to toy with the driving mode to see just how fast the SRT can move as well as stop. On the display screen you can track your 0 to 60 mph, 1/8- and 1/4-mile times as well as your braking, steering angle, lateral and longitudinal G-Forces, and performance output.

Needless to say, this writer experimented at least a half a dozen times with the launch sequence in a bid to propel the Grand Cherokee SRT from 0 to 60 mph as quickly as possibly. A best time of 5.0 seconds came in well short of the 4.5 seconds others have claimed. Figure that dedicated performance car drivers will nail that number which, by the way, beats the GMC Typhoon by 0.8 seconds.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT HEMI engine.

Braking is precise thanks to its world-class Brembo braking system. That system is evident the moment you set your eyes on the SRT as its front and rear calipers are clad in red.

SRT chose Brembo for its benchmark setting capabilities, a system known for bringing the burliest vehicles to a safe and clean stop while retaining brake pedal feel and minimizing brake fade. The Grand Cherokee SRT is outfitted with 15-inch rotors in the front with six-piston calipers; the rear features 13.8-inch rotors with four-piston calipers. This brake system arrangement is ideal for the Jeep as were talking about a model with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,500 pounds.

Jeep Driving Characteristics

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT seatSUV. A higher profile, aerodynamic constraints and its heavier weight are issues that must be managed, something Chrysler’s engineering team has pulled off. Outfitting the Grand Cherokee with a hulking V-8 means providing it with a balanced suspension system, what it has accomplished by means of an independent front and multilink rear suspension with stabilizer bars. Add in a Bilstein adaptive damping suspension and the package is complete.

Chrysler tapped ZF to supply an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capabilities. This transmission is unique to the premium midsize SUV class and engages quietly and seamlessly. Shift to manual mode and you can paddle-shift your way down the road. The SRTs rack and pinion steering is precise and handles tight turns and twisty roads with ease. Body roll is minimal you may quickly forget that youre driving an SUV.

SRT, Chrysler DNA

Jeep made sure that the Grand Cherokee SRT provides a complete package with performance, luxury, room and utility offered without compromise. Is DNA is derived from the best of the Chrysler Group as its performance parallels the Dodge Challenger and its luxury the Chrysler 300C. Its room and utility are all Jeep, the latter quite evident with its 7,200-pound towing capacity. Try to find another SUV that offers all this and you’d be hard pressed to succeed. Unless, of course, you happened to find one customized by its owner.

Its $62,995 base price is more than double that of the standard Grand Cherokee Laredo. Add in the 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio package, the full size spare and special tires and your price pushes into the upper 60s or where no Jeep has gone before. Clearly, if you want a performance Jeep and are looking for a happy compromise between the Dodge Challenger SRT and Chrysler 300, this model delivers with utility features included.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT dashboard

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

6.4-liter HEMI V-8 Engine

  • Sticker price from $62,995
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 6.4-liter HEMI OHV V-8engine
  • 470 horsepower at 6,000 rpm
  • 465 foot-pounds of torque at 4,300 rpm
  • 4.09 inches bore by 3.72 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 10.9 to 1
  • 8-speed automatic shiftable transmission
  • Wheelbase: 114.8 inches
  • Length: 191.3 inches
  • Width: 77.1 inches
  • Height: 69.1 inches
  • Passenger Volume: 105.4 cubic feet
  • Storage Volume: 35.1/68.7 cubic feet
  • Towing Capacity: 7,200 pounds
  • EPA: 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway
  • Premium grade gasoline recommended
  • Fuel Tank: 24.6 gallons
  • Curb Weight: From 5,150 pounds
  • Payload: 1,350 pounds
  • Vehicle Assembly: Saltillo, Mexico

See Also — Reviewed: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4×4

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2014 MODELS, BILSTEIN DAMPERS, BREMBO BRAKES, CHRYSLER 300C, DODGE CHALLENGER, HEMI ENGINE, Jeep Grand Cherokee, SRT

At The Rock With the 2014 Lexus IS

May 23, 2013 by admin 4 Comments

2014 Lexus IS

Posing with a red 2014 Lexus IS at The Rock.

Once in a while an automotive event really moves the “way cool” needle. The “Lexus Education Event” currently taking place at race tracks around the country is one such opportunity, giving drivers a schooling in all things 2014 Lexus IS. Yes, after eight years the compact IS sedan is being replaced, with the third generation model hitting Lexus showrooms later this summer.

2014 Lexus IS Unleashed

This writer graciously accepted Lexus’ invitation to stay with them overnight at The Carolina in Pinehurst, NC, and to travel to the Rockingham Speedway (The Rock) the following morning for track time. Living in the Tarheel State made this trip a snap, an 80 minute journey down Route 1 to NC’s golf mecca. Disclaimer: hotel and food were provided by Lexus with transportation expenses covered by yours truly.

At the track, Lexus had every possible iteration of the new IS on hand plus a 2013 model. Place these models side by side and you will quickly note a few things right off: the Lexus spindle grille is now a fixture of the third generation sedan. Also, numerous bodily changes and adornments including updated headlamps, chiseled lines, a stronger beltline, new wheels and lighting treatments are apparent. The latest Lexus IS also comes in slightly wider and longer than its predecessor.

Inside, the driver’s seat has been lowered slightly to enhance the drive. Bolstered seating, lumbar support and available heating and ventilation provide comfort. Lexus outfits the driver’s seat with an eight-way power control including a four-way adjustable head rest.


2014 Lexus IS

Preparing GoPro to film our track endeavors.

Your V-6 Awaits

Two engine choices, both V-6s, ensure that your level of performance is reached with this sedan. The engines and the transmission are carryovers, although the IS350 RWD is now paired with an eight-speed automatic. All other models get the six-speed automatic including the F Sport. The F Sport package is now available with both rear- and all-wheel-drive versions of the IS250 and IS350. It represents mostly an appearance upgrade although the suspension system has been tweaked to provide sportier handling. Adaptive variable suspension and variable gear ratio steering are options peculiar to the F Sport.

For those of us who dared to take to the track alone, the chance to get behind the wheel was an opportunity not to be missed. As a Lexus representative noted, in an ideal world we would have tested the 2013 model first and then the new sedans. With just one second-generation sedan present, that opportunity came on a catch-as-catch-can basis. It wasn’t until I lapped The Rock in three different iterations of the 2014 sedan that the 2013 model became available. Noticeably, it didn’t handle turns as well and fish-tailed twice, a problem not experienced with any version of the IS250 and IS350 models, rear- or all-wheel-drive.

A slick track meant that the driving was cautious at first, but the rain cleared away by the time the company of two dozen journalists got its start. Ponding at various bends and straightaways was quickly identified and avoided as much as possible. Still, the slickness didn’t shake the new sedan, imbuing confidence in the most inspired driver to push the Lexus IS to its limits.

2014 Lexus IS Sedans.

Handling and Steering

Where the 2014 Lexus IS sedan truly shined was as it navigated the slalom. Only slight pitching was felt and not once did it seem as if the wheels would pull out from underneath it. While the IS250 offered good power, the robust engine powering the IS350 was worthy of The Rock and remains this writer’s favorite. All-wheel-drive presented an improved handling touch, but enthusiasts may simply prefer rear-wheel drive and the eight-speed gearbox. That transmission is standard on the IS350 RWD, with the first two forward gears set for launch and acceleration performance. Stick it in manual mode and the gears shift smoothly with full lockup performed in the second through eighth gears.

Some eight to ten car changes and lap time later, our track time ended. After lunch it was a two-hour countryside drive with this writer getting behind the wheel of both IS250 and IS350 models, the latter with the eight-speed transmission. But the best indication of how well the new Lexus IS sedan performs was confirmed on the track, offering a clear signal to the BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4 that this segment’s competition has only grown stronger.


See Also — New Lexus IS Makes Global Introduction at Beijing Motor Show

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: 2014 MODELS, compact sedan, Lexus IS, LEXUS IS250, LEXUS IS350, luxury car, Rockingham Speedway

BrandZ: Toyota Reclaims Top Spot Amongst Automotive Brands

May 22, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Millward Brown has released it latest Brandz Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ratings, with Toyota once again assuming the top spot amongst automotive brands. Last year, BMW moved pass Toyota to gain the number one position, swapping places with Toyota. BMW is again the second most valued brand among car manufacturers according to the Millward Brown Optimor valuation method used in the study.

BrandZ Top 100

Now in its eighth year, The BrandZ™ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study is conducted by Millward Brown Optimor on behalf of WPP, the marketing communications company. The study surveys both current and potential buyers of a brand and adds in financial data to calculate value. Since conducting its initial study, the researchers have found that the world’s Top 100 brands have grown by 77 percent and are now worth a collective $2.6 trillion.

BrandZ Top 100The Toyota brand finished No. 23 among all brands, valued at $24.497 billion and just ahead of BMW’s $24.015 billion. Other car brands in the Top 100 included Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan and Volkswagen. The top five most valuable brands regardless of category were Apple, Google, IBM, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola.

The cars category rose in value by 5 percent, reversing a 7 percent drop in 2012. Stronger products originating from Detroit and the brand value rise of several German brands sparked the increase.

Top 10 Car Brands

The study also looked at the Top 10 car brands including four that fell outside of the Top 100: Ford, Audi, Hyundai and Lexus. Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Hyundai each registered double-digit gains while BMW and Honda fell slightly by 2 percent each. The collective value of the Top 10 car brands, however, remains below the pre-recession valuation, coming in at just 71 percent of value. The United States and China are currently the two strongest automotive markets with smaller increases or declines seen elsewhere, impacting net brand valuations.

Although price is 30 percent of the reason why people purchase new cars, the BrandZ study found that among the Top 10 car brands it represented just 18 percent of the reason. Other purchase factors weighing in included fuel efficiency, safety, comfort, engine performance, advanced technology and after sales service.

Consumer Buying Factors

Specific factors contributing to an increase in brand valuation included cost controls, particularly where manufacturers used common platforms to build different vehicles, leading to economies of scale. Luxury features, now more commonly found on basic models, has helped raise brand values too. Hybrids are a factor for buyers who value environmental protection along with price and performance.

BrandZ also noted the varying ways that car manufacturers sought to reach consumers. Among US brands, Ram paid tribute to American farmers in its Super Bowl commercial. And while Ford has sought to reintroduce Lincoln, its Ford brand outreach efforts have been mostly through social media. GM’s approach, particularly with Chevrolet, has been to connect it with America’s past time, baseball.

Four Action Points

Millward Brown also identified four action points car manufacturers can take to advance brand valuations. With consumer expectations elevated, automakers can continue to demonstrate “seriousness” by improving quality and adding features. Otherwise, consumers may just as easily switch brands. Consumers are also looking for improved gas savings, while younger car buyers are typically looking at a car as a necessity, not a status symbol. Lastly, carmakers should continue to look to the east (Asia) as that is where the greatest growth opportunities lie.


See Also — Ford’s Risky Reductive Lincoln Approach

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: BMW, BrandZ, car brands, Millward Brown Optimor, Toyota, WPP

Capacity Constraints Has Automakers Fostering Creativity

May 21, 2013 by admin 1 Comment

Car manufacturers are looking at ways to make use of existing capacity, holding off on building new manufacturing plants as global economic concerns weigh in. Demand for new vehicles is strongest in China and in the United States, two markets that the biggest players must ensure are served properly.

Managing Domestic Capacity

In recent years we have seen domestic capacity straining as consumer demand rises and output peaks. It isn’t uncommon for a manufacturing plant to run three shifts in a bid to squeeze out more models from the same production footprint. Hyundai’s plant in Alabama and Kia’s plant in Georgia are prime examples of manufacturing facilities operating under capacity constraints, as the two Korean automakers work with what they have instead of adding new plants.

Volkswagen PassatThe cost of building a new manufacturing plant is typically above $1 billion, an investment Volkswagen made in recent years with its Chattanooga plant and what Kia invested with its lone American plant. That figure is why adding new plants — even as demand rises — is not on the horizon. Instead, car manufacturers will tap capacity elsewhere, even importing cars from markets previously not tapped to serve the American driver. “Fostering creativity” is the buzzword when it comes to managing capacity.

Importing From France

Toyota will soon import its subcompact Yaris from France, the first time the Japanese automaker has shipped European-built models to Canada and to the United States reports Automotive News. That move will allow Toyota to harness capacity for a new model in Japan and to work with a more stable currency to supply the North American market.

Yen value variations likely have made it difficult for Toyota to make money off of its slow-selling and thin profit line Yaris. Moreover, the next generation Toyota Yaris will be based on the Mazda2, produced in Mexico by Mazda for Toyota, and go on into production in summer 2015. Thus, we’ll see Toyota tap its French capacity for approximately two years before the Mazda-based Yaris replacement becomes available, for another cost savings move.

Toyota Yaris

Imported from France: Toyota Yaris.

Looking to Thailand

Ford is also looking to shift production of its own subcompact model. The Ford Fiesta, built in Mexico and sold in the United States and Canada, will be shifted to Thailand. Ford already builds the Fiesta there, but will also use Thailand to supply the domestic market. Ford will free up capacity at its Cuautitlán, Mexico, to produce an unnamed new model.

Auto Trends believes that the new Ford model will be the Lincoln MKC, a concept compact crossover sport utility vehicle introduced at auto shows earlier this year. Ford needs the cheaper labor Mexican plant to produce this model to maximize economies of scale. That’s become more urgent in recent months as Audi has broken ground on its first North American assembly plant, also in Mexico. With Audi benefiting from lower labor costs, Ford must contain its costs to bring forth this all-new Lincoln crossover and future models. Audi, too, will build crossovers in Mexico.

2014 Ford Fiesta

Hyundai and Kia

Expect further announcements from other car manufacturers to supply the North American market from far-flung manufacturing plants. Capacity constraints for Kia and Hyundai won’t be resolved by building a new North American manufacturing plant, at least not in the short term. Instead, both manufacturers will tap plants outside of Korea and the United States.

Hyundai and Kia capacity.Kia’s Žilina, Slovakia, facility might supply the North American market, although capacity there is nearing its 300,000-unit limit notes Kia of UK. Plants in the Philippines and Vietnam might also be tapped, underutilized facilities that have yet to hit capacity.

Hyundai’s reach is broader than its Kia cousin, with manufacturing plants in eastern Europe, South Africa and India meeting current capacity. This company’s US sales are being hampered by capacity constraints, a problem that might be resolved by tapping its other markets.

Auto Trends and Capacity

Even as car manufacturers’s shift capacity, global overcapacity remains. Toyota does not have the problem that General Motors, Peugeot and FIAT have been facing with too many plants in Europe, but it is in the position to pull from its European plants to supply cars elsewhere. Overcapacity is an ongoing auto trends, one that KMPG addressed in its Global Automotive Executive Survey 2013 report earlier this year.

KPMG noted that sales and production are declining in Japan and in western Europe, but are on the rise in Brazil, Russian, India and China, as well as in Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa. Utilizing plants around the world to meet domestic demand is something that will increase, making it entirely possible that new car buyers will soon find that their vehicles have been built in countries far different from the usual foreign markets.


See Also —

Australian Auto Manufacturing and the Decline in Tariffs

Meet VinFast, an Emerging Automaker From Vietnam

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: capacity, EUROPE, FORD FIESTA, Hyundai, Kia, KPMG LLP, MEXICO, Thailand, TOYOTA YARIS

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