The ad offers up the same level of promise that the new Grand Cherokee is. Which is to say a lot, as Chrysler is saying that the ride and interior are substantially improved. Off-road ability, as always, is beyond adequate. So.. Do you want a new Grand Cherokee after seeing this commercial?

 

The vehicle you see above is a 1950 Saab 92. A little car that would forever define Saab’s quirkiness and inspire so many Saab followers to this day. Now that Saab is finally free and clear of the huge implosion that GM underwent last year, they are undertaking the task of coming up with new models to sell. Given that their current platforms are basically GM’s, that they are no longer under GM’s wing, and that they don’t have too much in the way of cash and resources, coming up with all new platforms is a bit difficult. Regardless, Saab CEO Victor Muller’s heart is set on building a modern day version of the 92.

His vision is of a genuine, authentic small Saab that would compete in the relatively new premium small car segment. In order to do this he is trying to work out a deal to borrow one of the best architectures in this class, BMW’s MINI Cooper. MINI arguably established the segment with a sporty, high quality hatchback that can be easily optioned to well over $30k.

Negotiations are ongoing with a BMW spokesman explaining that “We are in talks with several interested parties who have interest in our technology… there are no contracts with Saab at the moment.” That’s to be expected as the two makers probably haven’t been talking for more than a few weeks. Such a plan would take at least a couple years to pan out and given that Saab has to roll out its new 9-5 sedan and a Cadillac SRX-based SUV next year its plate is full at the moment anyways.

However it works out for Saab, I wish them lots of luck and hope that they can get the MINI Cooper’s bones into their new car soon. MINI’s squared off little bulldog of a car is a classic, the world (and Saab) could always use another premium, squat little car with great driving dynamics.

Source: Reuters

Its not that anybody had any ill will towards the brand, it was simply a case of.. put up or shut up! Either give Mercury the product it needs to be a successful, stand alone brand or… shut it down. While Mercury has always consisted of better finished Fords, the last decade or so has been especially blatant in this regard. Sure the Mariner is a little nicer than the Escape, but a whole other brand and marketing machine for what Toyota or Honda would absolutely treat as a trim level is a sure way to lose money.

If a brand can’t have at least a couple thoroughly differentiated, unique even, models all to itself, then there’s usually not much sense in keeping the brand around. Given the economic climate in general, and Ford’s situation specifically of the last few years, it should be easy to understand that they simply didn’t have the resources to do anything with Mercury.

But now that Mercury is definitely about to become part of the past, what do Mercury owners do now in the present. There are plenty of them out there, and Mercury will continue to sell cars for the rest of the year. What about ownership issues like maintenance, repairs, and (gasp!) accidents? The short answer is.. what issues?

Servicing these cars should present very few problems, if any. Auto makers are required by law to manufacture parts for the duration of a vehicle’s warranty, and dealers will continue to service these cars for years to come. Besides the showroom, a dealer’s service bays are expected to (and do) bring in plenty of profit.

Once your Mercury’s warranty has expired, parts should still be readily available for years to come. They are after all mostly Ford vehicles anyway, some bodywork and trim pieces are the only things that might be a concern after a few years. Third party suppliers need to make a living too, and several hundred thousand vehicles on the road will ensure they can make a profit on the parts they will continue to make. As for service, any out of warranty vehicle doesn’t belong in a dealer’s service bay, find a good independent mechanic. Overall, owning a newly orphaned Mercury for 5-10 years shouldn’t be a problem.

Under the skin the big news is the all new 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 that Chrysler has been working on for a few years. Fuel economy, power, and refinement are increased over the ancient straight six and give the new SUV a tow rating of up to 7200 lbs. Naturally, 4WD, V8 power, and even an SRT variant will also be available.

 

Press Release

Coming Soon From Jeep®

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 19, 2010 – Chrysler Group LLC released images today of the all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, an American icon and symbol of the new Chrysler. Offering timeless design and innovative engineering, the all-new Grand Cherokee redefines the SUV industry, delivering true duality: ultimate Jeep off-road capability and on-road refinement for a premium driving experience.

Capability highlights include a choice of three 4×4 systems, new Jeep Quadra-Liftâ„¢ Air Suspension and Selec-Terrainâ„¢ systems and towing capability of 7,400 lbs. On-road dynamics are improved courtesy of new independent front and rear suspension systems and a new body structure that dramatically increases torsional stiffness. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee features Chrysler Group’s all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that boasts an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy and delivers up to 23 mpg and more than 500 miles on one tank of gas.

Completely reengineered and redesigned for 2011 – with a new sculpted body, athletic profile, panoramic dual-pane sun roof and world-class interior with premium soft-touch materials – the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×2 models start at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $30,995 – $495 lower than the outgoing model. Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×4 models start at $32,995 – $465 lower than the outgoing model. Also available in Limited and Overland models, the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee arrives in Jeep showrooms next month.

Chrysler Group will celebrate the production launch of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee at Jefferson North Assembly Plant, Friday, May 21, 2010 – 1:45 p.m.

Chrysler Group Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne and Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm will join other government officials, Chrysler Group executives, UAW leaders and employees to celebrate the production launch of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Plant tours will be available prior to the program. Please arrive by 11:30 a.m. to participate in a tour.

Jefferson North Assembly Plant is located at 2101 Conner Street, Detroit, Mich. 48215.

Land Rover started the luxury SUV thing with the Range Rover, added the smaller Range Rover Sport a few years ago, and is now preparing an even smaller 3-door version, code-named LRX. Spy shots of the production model are now starting to appear and fortunately they’ve stuck very closely to the initial concept car shown back in 2008, which itself was a very edgy and contemporary design.

The full set of spy shots can be viewed over at Motor Authority. Critics may argue that the LRX only dilutes the Range Rover brand being so small and by offering FWD, but Land Rover is simply responding, complying even, with ever tightening emissions regulations around the world and with increased demand from customers for more fuel efficient models. The model is to be the lightest, most efficient, and most high-tech model from the British maker ever. The show car was shown with a hybrid powertrain that achieved about 60MPG, expect something similar in production. Below is a final production shot of the LRX released by Land Rover some time ago as a preview of things to come.

 

Source: Motor Authority

Just as Ford planned all along, its all new sporty little Fiesta has been officially rated by the EPA as a 40 mile per gallon car, on the highway at least. In the city it should average about 27MPG. Very impressive indeed. To get those numbers you will have to acquire one with Ford’s new six-speed dual clutch gearbox, called PowerShift. If you get a Fiesta with the base manual gearbox you’ll have to settle for 28/37 mpg city and highway respectively. Again, not bad at all, should make for a great everyday commuter car.

For those keeping score, Ford’s newest small car can get at least 4MPG better mileage than its counterparts at Toyota and Honda. In addition to winning the mileage race (this time around at least), Ford also gets points for making a product with a more upscale interior and arguably better looking overall exterior.

Source: Ford Press Release

How times change. Perceptions of Ford today, although relatively positive, are tainted by a stagnant auto market, a stock price that is a fraction of what it was just a few years ago, and having literally mortgaged everything it owns to have enough cash on hand to attempt yet another turn-around plan. Its easy to forget how quickly things can change and take a downturn, but that’s exactly what happened.

It wasn’t too long ago, maybe 2003-2007, that Ford was on a roll. There was a flashy new T-Bird cruising the streets, an all new Mustang was born, heart-breaking concepts like the Fortynine and 427, J Mays was talking up a Living Legends program with concepts like a Cobra roadster, a GT40, even a modern Daytona with the GR-1.  Thankfully, at least the Ford GT was made a reality.

And what a reality it is.  A genuine supercar in the same league as Ferraris and Porsches, Swiss race team Matech Competition has seen fit to take it racing in FIA GT3 championships across Europe, and now they’re moving into GT1 class racing.  The Ford will definitely have some strong competition, but this video shows one incredibly… ridiculously.. badass entrant.  Enjoy the video, press release from Matech afterwards.

Matech Competition Press Release

The 2010 Matech Ford GT1 unveiled

As early as 2009, before the regulations of the new GT Championship came into force, Matech Concepts started developing a new Ford GT1 based on the prototype fielded in the previous season. On the way to the Portuguese circuit at Portimão, Matech Competition stopped in Spain at the Ascari circuit to perform the roll-out of the new car. With Thomas Mutsch at the wheel, the first metres of the Ford GT1 went according to plan, just as the driver and Martin Bartek had been hoping: “The car is completely new. Not a single element, be it the engine, the transmission system, the suspension or aerodynamics are the same as those of the Ford GT1 from 2009. The roll-out was very promising, and we are confident with regard the forthcoming season.” The next step will be the “balance of performance” at Portimão on 3 and 4 February, followed by further testing at the Alcañiz circuit where a handful of previously selected drivers will take the wheel of the Ford GT1. This first stage will then be concluded by the presentation of the vehicle to the press in Paris on 1 March.

The driver pairings…

To determine the final line-up for the cockpits of the two Ford GT1 cars, Matech Competition has invited seven drivers to participate in a comparative test in a “special” Ford GT3 on the Portimão circuit. In addition to the five men – Mathias Beche, Yann Zimmer, Borja Garcia, Casper Elgaard and Carlo Van Dam – the group also includes two ladies, Natacha Gachnang and Cyndie Allemann. ”Our goal, clearly, is to form two teams that are as strong as possible by giving young drivers, including
women, an opportunity to compete. For these tests, they will be driving one of our Ford GT3 cars on which we have removed the ballast and the air-restrictor so that it will handle in a similar way on the track as the GT1,” explains Martin Bartek. After this initial evaluation, there will be some candidates for further tests, this time in the Ford GT1 at the Motorland circuit near Alcañiz. Jonathan Hirschi and Marc Hennerici will join this test as well.

What started as a pretty decent little car in the 1990s, began to undergo sales declines due to neglect from its maker, and culminated in the knife in the heart disappointment that was the most recent Focus, Ford is making everything right again with next generation model of its Civic\Cruze\Corolla killer. Before the whole recession that forever changed the automotive landscape, Ford was having some trouble of its own and made the call to throw together one more refresh for its ancient US version Focus instead of ramping up production of an all new Focus in Europe that was getting rave reviews. As promised, Ford is now showing a new Focus that is both easy on the eyes, and on its bottom line.

This new Focus is Ford’s latest attempt at building a world car, a single model that can be sold in any market in the world with only the most minimal of changes. Ford’s CEO calls it One Ford. We like to call the new Focus One Nice Ford. The modern, crisp look is the latest  example of Ford’s Kinetic design language and combined with a premium interior, no surprises in the build process due to a European roll out a couple years ago, and high (as yet unannounced) mileage ratings, you have what is sure to be a thorn in competing auto makers sales projections.

 

The sedan version is a given, but the 5-door hatch shows that Ford is willing to take a chance that the US market is evolving and will truly accept a hatchback. Both versions look great, but the hatch should have an extra measure of practicality…thats why we love our SUVs right? Along with the new design comes a new engine, a 2-liter direct injected 4 cylinder with variable cam phasing tech that pumps out 155hp and 145 lb-ft. Expect EcoBoost versions to follow real soon. Transmissions include a manual option and an all new PowerShift dual-clutch unit that will completely replace a torque converter based automatic.

Besides the very up to date powertrains is an available technology called Dynamic Cornering Control that should give the FWD chassis more serious handling balance and limit understeer.  Its similar to the torque vectoring solutions that Acura and Audi use in their quest to make FWD seem less like… FWD.  Kudos to Ford for making it available on the Focus.  Another high-tech solution Ford employs is electric power assist which they say improves steering feel.

 

Its been a long time coming but Ford finally has a small car it can be proud of.  Production begins later this year and deliveries should begin in early 2011.  Look for a whole family based on the new Focus that includes coupes, wagons, a fully electric version, and hopefully something tuned to be an SVT or RS variant.

Further building on its reputation as an upscale budget brand, the base model trim GLS includes many standard items that would be pricey add-ons in a comparable Honda CR-V, and an upscale Limited trim with heated leather seats, dual zone temp control, automatic headlights, and some chrome trim and badging on the exterior to name just a few.

Add the Premium Package and you get a panoramic sunroof, navigation, rear-view camera and a premium audio system, all-wheel drive is available as well. All in, Hyundai will let you spec out its sleek yet chunky little crossover to $28,695.

 

The Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari” makes its world debut at Frankfurt. This new performance version of the Abarth 500 confirms the link between Abarth and Ferrari based on shared values that include a passion for performance, a racing soul, attention to detail and Italian style.

 

Abarth and Ferrari are two great names that have contributed, with conviction and dedication, to the legend of Italian racing that is known around the world. The legendary men behind both marques followed very similar careers: first drivers, then tuners and finally heads of companies that command genuine respect in the world of motor racing. These extraordinary men were associated in the past: in 1953, for example, a unique Ferrari-Abarth was born, the Ferrari 166/250 MM Abarth. The car raced in various international trophies including the legendary Mille Miglia. The tie between the two companies has been reinforced above all by the exhaust systems designed by Abarth specifically for the cars built at Maranello: numerous exhaust systems have been made for various Ferrari models, some of which have won World Championship titles.

The two brands have recently renewed their collaboration. The first result of this was the supply of a limited and numbered series of Abarth 500’s to Ferrari’s European dealers in recent months for use as “courtesy cars”.

Now, attention turns to the new Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”, an exclusive vehicle that not only enables Abarth to extend its range by entering into the luxury sports car market, but also offers Ferrari customers a small but exciting small car for all their mobility needs, including practical urban mobility.

The new Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari” is distinguished by a number of stylistic changes, but more importantly by substantial modifications developed by Abarth and Ferrari engineers. The engine, for a start, is a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16v, tuned to develop over 180 HP. This is combined with an MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired paddle gearshift that makes full use of the engine’s performance by reducing gearshift times.

To improve acceleration, the car is fitted with performance tyres on 17’’ alloy wheels featuring a design inspired by Ferrari wheels. The suspension and braking systems have also been strengthened to cope with the extra power: 284 mm multi-section discs with fixed four-piston calipers, both by Brembo, and special shock absorbers let you enjoy performance in total safety.

And of course there is a “Record Monza” variable back-pressure “dual mode” exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and deliver an inspiring sound over 3,000 rpm.

On the outside, the car is finished in Scuderia Red, with carbon fibre door mirrors and with details like the wheels and rear air intakes in Racing Grey. This new Abarth is equipped with Xenon headlights with dipped and main beam functions for improved light emission and excellent efficiency under all weather conditions. Made by Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting, these elements deliver three times the light intensity and duration of standard halogen lamp headlights.

The interiors are also personalised and demonstrate the attention to detail and the sporting style that are common to both brands. “Abarth Corsa by Sabelt” seats are fitted and finished in black leather with a shell and seat base in carbon fibre. These seats offer a perfect blend of racing characteristics – light weight (10 kg less than the standard seat) and the ability hold the body steady against lateral and longitudinal forces, thanks to body support elements filled with crush-resistant foam – with the ergonomics and comfort of road seats.

The black leather steering wheel is characterised by red leather inserts and a tricolour hub on which the MTA gearshift paddles are mounted, while the instrument panel is specially made by Jaeger, and inspired by typical Ferrari instrumentation. Attention to detail has gone into the floor too: the foot wells are covered entirely in non-slip aluminium and the racing pedals are personalised with the Scorpion logo. The interior is embellished with other details too, like special kick plates and a plate bearing the vehicle series number.

Source: Fiat Press Release