2011 Dodge Charger Prototype - 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview

2011 Dodge Charger Prototype

A year ago, Dodge and Chrysler moved out from bankruptcy, a shadow of their former selves. A new partnership with Fiat has allowed them to play catch-up, and this hard work is paying off with a slew of new products primed for 2011. Leading the charge, so to speak, is the revamped 2011 Dodge Charger. This 4-door sedan has been redone with a focus on retaining its unique character while improving interior quality and driving dynamics.

At first blush, the new Charger seems familiar, but when compared to the previous generation, you readily see that every aspect has changed for the better. Its freshened exterior is heavily influenced by the Chargers of the late 1960s, especially in the rear taillamps and side scallops. The new split crosshair grill, however, is in keeping with Dodge's more recent history.

2011 Dodge Charger Prototype Interior

While the exterior has a fresh look, it's the interior that has made even greater strides. There are no more hard surfaces. Gone is that flat plastic, boring dash and center console. In its place is an all new design that doesn’t skimp on softness or style. A large, etched aluminum panel sits just behind the new thick rimmed steering wheel, giving the Charger a distinctive appearance. If you option out the nav system, you're rewarded with a massive 8.6-inch touch screen. A nice touch on the gauges is the tachometer and speedometer pointer that’s detailed with a lighted arrow.

With your backside planted in the seat, and the wheel adjusted for angle and reach, the Charger becomes a comfortable place to do business. The previous steering wheel seems more appropriate in a bus compared to the new, smaller diameter rim. Not only does the car look good, it feels good too.

2011 Dodge Charger Prototype

In an earlier test drive of some prototypes, hitting the keyless ignition brings to life one of two engines. A new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 making 292-bhp, or carryover 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 massaged to make 370-bhp. Both engines have a throaty rumble totally in character for the car. The new V-6 not only eclipses the anemic 178-bhp 2.7-liter found in the last generation's base models, it is also superior to the previously optional 250-bhp 3.5-liter. In any event, the V-6 still won't rival the thrill of the Hemi V-8. The best thing about the new V-6 though is that the base 2011 Charger SE costs roughly the same as it used to at $25,170, with the bonus of a 5-speed automatic that supplants the previous base 4-speed auto.

Packages aplenty for the new Charger that allow a V-6 to be ordered with nearly all the options of the up-level R/T, including all-wheel drive. But only the R/T can be equipped with the Super Track Pak option. As is the case with the past Challenger model, this option gives the stability control a full-off mode, an important feature for those who like to do smoky doughnuts or enjoy the occasional power-slide.

2011 Dodge Charger Prototype

When we sampled the prototypes around Chrysler’s Chelsea proving grounds, the new Charger showed off much improved ride and handling thanks to changes in the shocks and springs. Gone is the thud and thump over bumpy roads. In its place is the subdued snubbing of road irregularities. The general attitude of the car is benign and requires decent trail braking to hit a corner apex at speed, but never once did it miss step. The steering is light, but precise making the large sedan feel smaller than it actually is.

There was a fear the Chrysler Group had lost its way in the past years, but with the release of the new Dodge Charger, it’s obvious to anyone that drives one that they’re back on track.

Pricing for 2011 Charger RWD/AWD models:

Charger SE: $25,170

Charger SE (with Rallye Package): $27,420

Charger SE (with Rallye Plus package): $29,170

Charger R/T: $30,170 / $32,320

Charger R/T (with R/T Plus Package): $32,170 / $34,320

Charger R/T (with Road and Track Package): $33,170 / $35,320

Charger R/T (with Max Package): $35,170 / $37,320

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Plugging in to a Bright Automotive Future

 

2012 Toyota Prius PHV

The Toyota Prius is already one of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road today. Adding electric power is certain to continue its reign at the top when we see the first application of what Toyota refers to as the 2012 Prius PHV. I recently test drove the car in Vancouver, British Columbia, a city currently on my list of one of the most annoying cities to drive in, due to ongoing construction and congested streets. How did the PHV do in the Vancouver traffic? Not surprisingly, given the success of the hybrid model, excellent in every way.

Based on the world’s most popular hybrid vehicle, the Prius PHV is designed to deliver a range of more than 13 miles and a top speed of almost 62 mph on battery alone. In addition, an onboard Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine enables the car to revert to hybrid mode and operate like a regular Prius, giving the vehicle the driving range and performance American and Canadian drivers demand from today’s automobiles.

The Toyota Prius PHV is expected to achieve a fuel mileage rating in the area of 135 mpg and CO2 emissions of 41 g/km under specified driving conditions (combined electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle modes). Compared to the typical conventional midsize automobile, driving a Prius PHV for one year should reduce fuel consumption by 436 gallons (83%) and CO2 emissions by almost 4,000 kg (or 4 tonnes).

Spending time behind the wheel of the Prius PHV, I find little difference with the regular Prius Hybrid. Acceleration is excellent, braking ability on par with other vehicles in this class, and there is no disparity in roominess or comfort.

A multitude of electronic gauges monitors all aspects of what’s going on mechanically, making it easy to track where you are in the cycle of electric power. With a limited cruising range of 12 miles in electric mode, it is not designed for long distance travel. But Toyota claims the average American commutes 10 miles per day, so it should, in theory, provide more than adequate power. Cold weather is certain to affect performance and is one of the reasons why it is so important to test in the northern U.S. states and Canada.


In total, 150 vehicles will be evaluated in the U.S., and 600 worldwide (15 in Canada), with TMS and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program managing the long-term evaluation of the vehicles. If first impressions are worth anything in a long term test, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid should be a dynamic winner in the race to drive without the need to depend on petroleum-based fuels.


“By taking steps toward accommodating electric vehicle use, Georgetown continues to advance our sustainability goals, including the reduction of our carbon footprint,” said Karen Frank, vice president for university facilities and student housing at Georgetown.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Clean Cities and Georgetown University to gain driver feedback on this new technology. These types of partnerships and programs are critical as we strive to bring advanced-technology and alternative-fuel vehicles to market that meet customer wants and needs,” said Jaycie Chitwood, manager of Advance Technology Vehicles, TMS.

Recharging the Prius PHV requires 3 hours with a standard 110V outlet, or as little as 90 minutes with a 220V connection. Georgetown University has installed two new vehicle charging stations which will be used during the evaluation period. These are located below the new LEED-certified Harris Building. Along with advancements in automotive technology, developments in architectural designs are helping lead the way in building a better tomorrow for future generations.

Is the world ready for an electric vehicle? The answer at this point is no. Government infrastructure is slowly coming alongside and refueling stations are starting to make their appearance within certain geographical areas, but it will be several years yet before we start to feel their impact.

This does not mean, however, that we shouldn’t pursue a plan of moving toward sustainable mobility. As plug-in power becomes more readily available in downtown areas, and garages are equipped with 220 volt charging stations, the switch will slowly flip towards more electric powered vehicles.

On that note, Nissan will soon introduce the LEAF, and Chevrolet is counting on the success of Volt, (as is Mitsubishi with i-MIEV), so the stage is set. My test drive of the Prius PHV in Vancouver, B.C. proved there is a market for this type of automobile and it is only a matter of time before we start to see more electric cars and less gasoline and diesel powered automobiles driving the future. Brighter days for the automobile are ahead!

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Best Car for Your Teen

2010 Kia Soul

One question we are often asked at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance is, Which car should I buy for my teen? In our December-issue Best List, we pick our favorite new car for young drivers: the Kia Soul.

Your teen may try to persuade you to buy a sporty, speedy model (the Porsche Boxster comes to mind). But the best car for a teen, some car experts say, is on the other end of the spectrum -- an older, larger, uncool sedan (think the Ford Crown Victoria or an aging Volvo station wagon).

We think an even better idea is to buy a small sedan -- after all, many state laws limit the number of passengers teens can carry -- that’s also maneuverable, safe and doesn’t go zero to 60 in 5 seconds. In fact, we have a checklist of attributes to evaluate when choosing a suitable car for young, less-experienced drivers, and the Soul scores highly on all of them:

Top safety pick. The Kia Soul is a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That means it gets the highest score on the Institute’s front, side and rear crash tests. The Soul also has a long list of standard safety features: stability control -- to prevent skids -- four-wheel anti-lock brakes, front side airbags and head curtain airbags. Kia also provides 24-hour roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles.

Low ownership costs. The sticker price for the 2010 manual-transmission Soul + is an easy-to-take $15,890. This is our favorite model because it provides a good mix of standard equipment and value. With fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 24 mpg in the city, it’s relatively cheap to gas up, too.

Low insurance and repair costs. These are important for any family with a teen driver. The cost for a typical family to insure the Soul is $920 a year -- on the low end of the scale for all vehicles. Repair costs are held to a minimum because of Kia’s warranty, also five-years or 60,000-miles.

High resale value. We put a lot of stock in how well a car holds its value. And with a resale value of 56% of sticker price after three years, the Soul is solidly above average.

Moderate speed. When it comes to power, the Soul’s horsepower is an adequate -- but not excessive -- 142. This is not a street racer.

Coolness. Even though the Soul isn’t going to win Le Mans, it has cachet. The hatchback design is funky-cool, and its fold-down second seats provide more than 53 cubic feet of cargo room, making it easy to haul stuff -- bikes, camping gear, dorm-room supplies. Rear legroom is a roomy 39 inches.

Inside it has a USB connection for an MP3 player, a three-month free subscription to Sirius satellite radio and a Bluetooth hands-free phone connection.

Put it all together and, if you’re shopping for a young driver, the Kia Soul should be at the top of your list of cars to consider. If you want to expand your search to other cars, use our checklist to make sure you get a good, safe car.

We used the checklist to find a great used car for teens as well: the 2008 Scion xB. It’s a better value now than when it was new -- and we named it a Best New Car back then. It was a Top Safety Pick of the IIHS and comes standard with six airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control. Priced at about $12,413 (with 24,000 miles), it rings up nearly $4,000 under the original sticker price. Insurance and repairs costs are low, and horsepower, at 158, isn’t outrageous. The xB is another boxy ride with plenty of style and space, and it is sure to appeal to teen sensibilities.

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