2012 Buick Verano Starts at $23,470

 

The all-new 2012 Buick Verano luxury sedan, which goes on sale later this year, will have a starting price of $23,470 including $885 in destination charges.

The Verano offers more passenger and cargo volume than the Acura TSX sedan or Lexus IS 250.

“Verano is a great new addition to Buick because it expands the brand’s reach,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. “With Verano, we’re inviting new customers into the Buick family, giving us the opportunity and privilege of building longtime Buick loyalty.”

Verano is Buick’s third all-new model in the past three years and the first in the compact segment, delivering the premium features and luxury characteristics that have helped make Buick one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in North America.

The car will be offered in three models, with the top model carrying a suggested retail price of $26,850, including destination charge. All models are powered by a fuel-efficient 2.4L four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 180 hp at 6,700 rpm with 171 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,900 rpm.

The Verano’s exterior is distinguished by sleek lines, blue translucent projector beam headlamps and standard fog lamps and 18-inch multi-spoke, forged alloy, silver-finish wheels, with a premium 18-inch split spoke wheel design available on certain models.[Continue reading...]

Dodge to Offer Mopar Packages on New 2012 Charger Pursuit

 

Dodge and Mopar^® are in hot pursuit of police car sales.

Today Dodge and Mopar announced six all-new quality-tested and factory-installed police-equipment packages for the high-performance 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit. Vehicles are ready-for-duty right from the manufacturer.

“Mopar is adding even more value to our all-new 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “We are adding proven, quality-tested tactical equipment to this pursuit vehicle and creating a one-stop shop for police customers. With six quick-order packages, police departments have the ability to customize their vehicles to exact specifications.”

To enhance Dodge Charger Pursuit’s world-class levels of technology, safety, handling and efficient power, Mopar teamed up with industry-equipment leader Crown North America to develop six police packages that are designed to provide law-enforcement officers with the best combination of tactical equipment and performance. These police-equipment packages feature emergency lighting, audible warning, communications and safety equipment. Industry-leading suppliers involved in the development include Whelen Engineering, Setina Manufacturing and Havis, Inc.

“With rear-wheel-drive, best-in-class V-8 power, seven air bags and up to 27 miles per gallon during highway cruising, the Dodge Charger Pursuit is an excellent police car on its own merits,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “Our partnership with Mopar to produce these six police packages takes the car to the next level by allowing our customers to customize their cruisers to meet their specific needs.”[Continue reading...]

A Look Back at the History of Chevrolet

 

Chevrolet takes some time to share some history, as well as some feats accomplished by them.

AutoPacific Names Chrysler Most Ideal Brand for 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards

The Chrysler brand has been named the Most Ideal Popular Brand in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards based on owners' ratings of their 2011 cars and trucks.

Additionally, three Chrysler Group vehicles, Dodge Challenger, Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Town & Country, were named Most Ideal Sports Car, Most Ideal Mid-size SUV and Most Ideal Minivan in their respective classes. 

“It’s an honor for the Chrysler brand to be recognized by AutoPacific,” said Olivier Francois, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Brand. “Recognition by the customers who buy and evaluate our vehicles proves we take consumer input very seriously in all the vehicles we design and build at Chrysler.” 

The Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on owner ratings of 15 key attributes of their 2011 vehicles. Measures evaluated by customers include power and acceleration, ride and handling, interior roominess and cargo space. More than 72,000 vehicle owners were surveyed by AutoPacific and were asked if they would change characteristics of their vehicles. 

Cars and trucks with the least amount of changes are recognized as most ideal.

“Ideal Vehicle Award winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles,” said George Peterson, President of AutoPacific. “Shoppers can use the Ideal Vehicle Awards as a benchmark for vehicles that are designed and built with customers in mind.” [ Continue reading article..]

GMC Sierra Wins ‘Hurt Locker’ Comparison Test [Video]

Fuel Cutoff System Adds On Efficiency In New Chevy Cruze

 

"How far did Chevy engineers go to maximize efficiency in the all-new Chevy Cruze? Not only did they optimize vehicle systems to reduce fuel consumption during daily driving, they also introduced one that eliminates fuel use entirely—at least in some scenarios.

The Cruze’s deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) technology automatically shuts off fuel to the car’s advanced Ecotec I4 engine when the vehicle is slowing down, then seamlessly restores fuel flow when the driver needs to accelerate. The result is an improvement of up to 2 percent in fuel economy, translating into more than 17 miles of additional driving range in the Cruze Eco and more than 11 miles in other models. And significantly, DFCO is on all Cruze models, regardless of whether they’re configured with an automatic or manual transmission."

The system is part of a Chevrolet commitment to raising mpg benchmarks that is both extensive and ongoing. In fact, after less than one full year on the market, the Cruze already will see a notable jump in fuel efficiency for the 2012 model year. The 2012 Cruze Eco, with its 1.4-liter turbocharged I4 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, achieves a full 2 mpg boost to highway fuel efficiency, which is now up to 39 mpg; the non-Eco model with the same powertrain gets the same size bump to reach 37 mpg highway. And while the numbers for the Cruze Eco with its standard six-speed manual transmission don’t change, the car remains the most fuel-efficient gas-only vehicle in America, with an EPA-rated 42 mpg on the highway."

Read the full article here

Wet and wild in Washington: Volkswagen makes a splash at WaterWerks

 

What’s more American than baseball? Outside of baseballs filled with apple pie (patent pending), we’re gonna go with cars, specifically cars built in America. So it makes perfect sense that WaterWerks, the West Coast’s premier water-cooled VW and Audi car show, took place August 6^th and 7^th in Cheney Stadium, home to reigning Pacific Coast League champs the Tacoma Rainiers. And it’s even more fitting that the American-made 2012 Volkswagen Passat was one of the biggest attractions. 

Read the full blog over at the VW Blog