I have been having an internal battle all day with my conscious trying to decide if this video was post worthy. Truth be told it is only loosely car based however in this case comedy has won out. Let me know if I’ve made the wrong call remember we’re still relatively new to the car reporting game and my car news radar may still need some fine tuning.
As a first time parent I would have to say that I can personally related to just a75% message being conveyed. I also am please to know that there is a car company out there who is not afraid to 1) target a female demographic and 2) to use the avenue of comedy to do so. It is a very refreshing take on car marketing and something that is not done all that often.
Check out the video titled “The Motherhood”, the advertisement featuring a not so ganster rappin’ mom, her three toddlers and the 500L will surely make you smile! But do also let me know in the comment section below if it should be on Car Rolodex at all.
Last month when the Dodge Dart was introduced to world at the North American International Auto Show, Chrysler executives denied that a 5 door hatchback version of the car branded for Chrysler was in the works. This sounded strange to us as the brand history of sharing platforms and power trains is legendary and you have to look no farther than the twins of the 200 and Avenger or the 300 and Charger, and then there is the Grand Cherokee and Durango. Need we really say more?
Well earlier on this week we found photographic proof that Chrysler is creating a compact 5 door hatchback and wonder why those original executive would string us along or just out right tell half truths. What’s next them telling us that the car will also achieve 40 mpg, sure it will, we call “shenanigans” on that statement as well!
Chrysler 100 Spy Shot - Front 3/4
Never less Chrysler is once again going to borrow the underpinning of the car from their Fiat Overlords. The name of car is not a surprise as it will be slotted just underneath the 200 in both price and size. The spy shots confirm that the new 100 much like the car that it is based off of in Europe the Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be a hatchback. The 100 should not be consider a re-branded twin of the Giulietta as much like in the Dodge Dart it appears that Chrysler engineers have also widened and lengthened the cars platform to better suit the North American market. We would also expect the Giulietta’s independent four-wheel suspension and responsive steering rack have been maintained in the 100 giving it that sporty European ride and handling as they were in the Dart. If true then this will a welcome addition when compared to the outgoing PT Crusier’s soft (fat cat) North American set up which made the feel like it was going to tip onto its side if you took a highway on-ramp too quickly.
Chrysler 100 Spy Shot - Side
The other features that will carry over from the Alfa Giulietta to the Chrysler 100 can be found under the hood. As the 100 will be powered by 3 different engines that include the turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder MultiAir engine found in the Fiat 500 Abarth. It will also employ Chrsyler’s new 2.0-liter inline-four TigerShark engine, as well as a new 2.4-liter inline-four TigerShark engine, whose power outputs are expected to range from 150 to 200 hp. No facts or figures have been released for the trio so we are not sure if there will be any changes in their output, however we can’t wait to take the Fiat 500 Abarth’s 1.4 out to put its 160 hp and 170 lb-ft torque to the test. We could also see the Fiat 500’s naturally aspirated 1.4-liter MultiAir inline 4 being used as a high mile eco car and wonder if Fiat’s twin cylinder turbo with its 85 hp will make it over to our side of the Atlantic.
There is only expected to be one check box to tick when it comes to the transmission of the Chrysler 100 which will be a Hyundai sourced 6-speed automatic. Down the road we would expect to see the Chrysler group’s new developed dual-clutch automated 6-speed manual gear box. We would also expect the rumor of a new 9-speed transmission built by the ZF Group to be available sooner than later. ZF has gone on record to say that the 9-speed transmission will increase the Dart’s fuel efficiency by an additional 10 to 16 percent over the current 6-speed options.
Chrysler 100 Spy Shot - Head On
Under all of that camouflage it is hard to see the uniquely Style lines however you can clearly see the brands grill that is similar to that found on the 200 and 300. We would also expect to see a more luxurious interior when compared to the 2013 Dodge dart which may be a challenge since the inside of the Dart is a nice place to live. We haven’t seen and images of the interior but we would expect that the drab PT Cruiser parts bin with its captain chairs up front will become a distant memory when we sit in the new 100.
We don’t have details, but the fact that there will be a Dodge and Chrysler version of essentially the same car will position the company nicely to offer product differentiation. The Chrysler 100 will likely be more comfort-oriented, leaving the Dodge Dart open as a sportier version for younger consumers.
We are still going to reserve our final judgment on the 2013 Dodge Dart until it is officially launched this morning at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. We had previously released the teaser images of the car that dodge had released before the holiday break and we were impressed. On the exterior we loved the look of the headlights and Alfa Romeo Giulietta inspired aggressive hood lines. On the inside of the car were intrigued with the looks of the level of high quality materials being used in combination with the re-designed instrument cluster and center stack controls.
2013 Dodge Dart - Offcial HD press image
However now that the first of the “b roll” footage has been released over the weekend we are wondering if we have fallen in love with the parts bin and poster images as the car in its entirety hasn’t wowed us as much as were expecting. Don’t get us wrong the car is not Veloster ugly but those rear tail lights put us off and as a total package the car is just missing something that we haven’t been able to put our fingers on yet.
While the official specs for the Dart won’t be release until the cars official launch video can confirm that Dart is in the same size range as the Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra. Fuel efficiency has been one of the key design factors as Fiat need to produce a 40 mpg car to acquire another 5% of Chrysler, so the employees a new 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox with rumors of a 9-speed in the works. They also use more light weight high strength steel then most other cars in the sub-compact class which also should increase the cars stiffness resulting in better ride and handling as well as helping to reduce unwanted noise and vibrations.
The All New 2013 Dodge Dart
On paper the unadjusted fuel consumption numbers are 40 mpg on the combined cycle, however the real world adjusted fuel economy figures will not be that good. City numbers are dropped by 10 percent, while highway numbers get a 22-percent reduction. Some rough estimating says that the Dart will probably be rated at about 34-mpg combined once the final adjustments are made. Still a good score, for sure, but far from 40. This little white lie has also upped Fiats stake in the Chrysler group to 58.5% and they are still trying to purchase the more of the 41.5% that is owned by the UAW.
The All New 2013 Dodge Dart
All in all the new 2013 Dodge Dart is taking the approach of building a quality car and then loading it full of high tech features. Our only concern is that they are bringing too many different model variant to the market that may increase the cost of building the car. The 2013 Dart will be available by the mid to end of summer and will be offered in 12 exterior, 14 interior colour and trim combinations, 6 wheel designs, 3 engine choices and with 3 transmission options with a possible 4th nearing the end of development.
Could they be offering their customers too much choice? Time will tell but we are wishing them good luck!
Rest-In-Peace Caliber! Please fade off into the sunset knowing that you have been replaced by what looks to be a far superior car. Make sure to check out the video below.
What is a car web site now a days if it doesn’t post about some sort of year end tribute piece. The reality of this post is that there is nothing else to report on this week due to it holiday hangover. In combination to the fact that the entire auto industry is gearing up for the North American International Auto Show next week in Detroit which opens it’s door to the press on the 9th to the public from the 14th through to the 22nd.
Sure Chrysler stole the spotlight yesterday with their apparently big news that the Sebring oh so we meant to say “200” is going to be getting a performance model called the “Super S”. However it is really nothing more than a Sebring with a bunch of Mopar aftermarket parts bolted on. Most of them are to make the car look faster with the only true performance pars being a lowering kit, a cold air intake and cat-back exhaust. We will have to wait until the NAIAS to get the official performance numbers however if our car math is correct it will equal an increase of about 25-40hp possible toping the car out at 325hp.
2012 Chrysler 200 Super S - From the Front
Not exactly pavement melting performance numbers, which has us queuing our Chrysler excitement for when the Dart is announced and we get to see Dodges first new car produced under Fiat management. The Dart should be a nice little car and one that could re-introduce Chrysler as serious option in the compact car market.
2012 Chrysler 200 Super S - From the Rear
Instead of even mentioning of that news we will present a multi media treat for you, as we have comprise our top 5 favorite car commercials from 2011.
Coming in at number 5 is the back handed slap from Chevrolet right to the face of Porsche, Ferrari and BMW with its powerful 638 horsepower engine found in the ZR1. For those who follow automotive racing you know that the ad is a stretch and is more relevant if it was poking fun at the race series organizers who put in place the rules and restrictions but then where’s the fun in that. Either way it made for an entertaining commercial and made our list at number five.
At number 4 we have another Chevy commercial that was created to run during the super bowl. It is a big budget bonanza that see the new V8 Camaro put through a variety of typical car commercial stereo types. We loved the high production value and the ending is great drawing back to a little 1980’s hot for teach mind set. Now really what is more muscle car Camaro then that – Van Halen not included!
Our third favorite commercial of 2011 was also created to be shown during the Super Bowl. It became known as the Eminem Ad, and was so closely copied by Audi 3 months later the Chrysler and Eminem had to sue them for copy right infringement. It may not be our favorite car however we love the blue color message that this ad draws heavily on and makes us pull for the motor city as they attempt to right their economic ship.
At number 2 we have dancing Hamsters. Ya that’s right dancing Hamsters! Do we really even need to mention robots fighting each other with G.I. Joe inspired laser guns and the number one song that you couldn’t get out of your head for 2011 Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO. We didn’t think so just check it out below
And now drum roll please…….. We bring you our favorite car commercial of 2011 and it just so happens to be for a car that we can’t wait to test drive. Titled “Suduction” Fiat launched its 500 Abarth in North America with this gem. This ad in our mind has it all including old school sexism which could very well turn in to the new school of sexism. It is a hilarious, sexy, and aggressive commercial that launches the Spicy Abarth version of the underappreciated and underperforming (both on the road and in the sales department) Fiat 500. I think that the only way to make this commercial more appealing to American would be to dip it in 500 calorie secret sauce and place it next to a 32 ounce soda.
We have a couple honorable mentions of ads that we reported on earlier on in the year below. Let us know in the comments section if you think we may have missed an ad that came out this year that should be on the list. Click on the name of the article to read about and view the commercial.
Could we interest you in a little Italian Sex Appeal this morning to get your engine running. We can’t wait to take one of those little Fiat Abarth’s for a test drive
This is an interesting video for me as I couldn’t shake the idea that it was broken up in to two parts; Pre Fiat takeover bid of the Chrysler Group and Post. As it starts off with Maserati totting its history and passion for racing which they rightfully should as no one wants to remember the terrible cars that they were building in the 80’s and 90’s.
Then like on any good timeline we hit the present and see the Maserati Kubang concept which is really just a rebadged Jeep Grand Cherokee, not that they is anything wrong with that. The Grand Cherokee is a fantastic SUV and for the money it has the greatest bang for the buck. Let’s just say that if I have the money it would the be SUV that I would choose to have my family ride around in. The Kubang promises to be even better as it will feature a Ferrari sourced V8 instead of the all American 5.7-liter V8 Hemi that the Grand Cherokee can be orders with.
What a win win right? You take an amazing chassis; improve the styling because let’s just face it a Jeep will always have to look like a Jeep but Kubang could be anything. And if it is have a sexy as the rest of the Maserati Line up it will be trying to hump your leg faster than your Grand Parents dog. Now add in some left over pieces from the Ferrari parts bin for engine and suspension and presto magico you should have a sweet SUV.
It may be the anticipation of this magic that made me sad to see that in the second half of the press video the Kubang was only there in CGI form. I want so bad to see this Sportute being built it almost felt like a steep back. The real scary thing is that I think we have seen this movie before with Jeep and Diamlier and that send shivers up my spin because we all know how that relationship turned out.
Either way we have the video below, so that you can make up your own mind on the state of Maserati and the Kubang.
If you still subscribe to the magazine Motor Trend (possibly not knowing that all articles are released free on their web page) then you would all ready know from the March issue that Chrysler is embracing Fiat’s MultiAir Technology. I think that this is the exactly the injection of tech that Chrysler needs to keep pace with the new advanced 4 cylinder engines that Ford and the General are starting to bring to production. If Chrysler has any hopes of selling cars in the Compact and Sub-Compact segments they will have to step up to the plate. As the competition has now realized that consumers are willing to buy smaller cars as long as they are a quality product. The new European designed Focus/Fiesta and Cruze/Sonic have positioned themselves as the new hot North American cars in those segments. With the Hyundai Elantra and VW Jetta producing Impressive build quality scores as well as mind numbing fuel efficiency numbers. Let’s hope that Fiat’s European ideals and standards can successfully be transplanted into the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep ranges.
Now I don’t have a crystal ball but it seems that Chryslers brand mate Fiat is going also be a strong competitor when in the sub-compact market with the peppy and fun to drive 500. Or at least it better because if it turns out that the 500 has gone all in with a pair of 5’s and the new MultiAir engine is one card short of a full house it could spell disaster for Chrysler.
Either way it is always exciting when a new technology comes to market like LED head lights and Direct Injection. I can only hope for Chrysler’s sake they can look back a year from now say that MultiAir was the niche they need to turn the corner as they fight to stay solvent.
It appears that Fiat is trying to catch Audi in the Creative Marketing Department and with this Video that just may have. The concept is that the Fiat 500 is excited just as excited getting ready to meet its new owners as the new owners are in driving the 500 home. The mix of high class Italian style and the mechanized factory floor as both parties go through their daily actives before being united at the end of the film is done to perfection. The way that the images are overlaid on top of each other in the final 15 seconds of the film makes me want to go to film school and learn how to make features that are of this high quality.
But don’t take my word for it check it out below you won’t be sorry you did.
