Family Ties: Chrysler and Dodge Group Shots

We're still waiting for the Chrysler Group to release some decent photo galleries of its newest models - and in particular, of the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 200 - but until then, here are two group shots, one including all of the 2011MY Dodge models such as the Avenger, Charger, Challenger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan, and the other, the updated Chrysler 200 sedan and Town & Country.

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2011 Dodge Challenger Revealed in Detail, Plus New Photo Gallery

After a long wait, the details and photos of the subtly refreshed 2011 Dodge Challenger coupe are finally in, but the changes are far less spectacular than expected. If you want the short story, the 2011MY version of the Chrysler Group's muscle car gains a new Pentastar V6 for the base model and a 6.4-liter V8 for the SRT8 (already previewed on the Inaugural Edition special), plus a revised suspension and some barely noticeable styling changes.
If you are able to spot a cosmetic difference on the outside, chances are you're probably working for Chrysler's design team. At the front, there's a restyled trapezoidal front air dam with a larger opening while the Dodge logo has been removed from the hood.
The larger "duck bill" front spoiler in black, the racing-style fuel-filler door and the 18-inch alloy wheels which are now standard on all models, plus the Challenger logos on the front fenders, pretty much round up the exterior updates.
From launch, the Challenger has been criticized for having one the most lackluster interior designs of any sports car. Unfortunately, that's not going to change with the 2011MY.
For some reason, the Chrysler Group's cost cutters decided to limit changes to the new three-spoke steering wheel, which by the way, is the same one found on the other 2011My Dodge models like the Grand Caravan [...], some minor updates to the instrument panel gauges and redesigned seat structures, with the front pair now featuring seatback tilt- with memory. Finishing the interior upgrades is the addition of standard automatic climate control on all versions.
Under the sheetmetal, the Detroit automaker's engineers redesigned the front- and rear-suspension geometries and added new parts to improve handling. In addition, a revised brake-pedal ratio and refined brake booster promises to better braking response and feel, while an all-new electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) system completes the package.
Buyers will have the option of three powerplants. The base Challenger SE is motivated by the firm's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 305 horsepower, or 55 more horsepower than the engine it replaces. The new Pentastar is not only more powerful, but also lighter than the previous V6 helping to slightly improve the front-to-rear weight distribution (52.4 / 47.6 compared with 53.5/46.5 previously). The V6 is paired to a five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick.
Next up is the Chrysler R/T which keeps the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. When paired to the refined Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission, the V8 churns out 376HP and 410 lb-ft accelerating the Challenger R/T to 60mph in under six-seconds. With the five-speed automatic transmission the eight-cylinder unit is rated at 372HP and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (542 Nm).
Dodge had previously released details on the SRT8, which will be offered at launch in a special edition guise (see here). Power is provided by a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 with 470-horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, or 45HP and 70 lb-ft more than the previous SRT8's 6.1-liter V8 engine.
The 2011 Challenger will hit dealerships within the next few weeks.

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Phantom of the Chrysler: Rolls Royce Makeover for 300 Sedan

Adding to very long list of Chrysler 300 models turned into Rolls Royce or Bentley clones that we've shown you over the past few years is this two-tone burgundy-goldish example, which is said to have been snagged in the city of Tangier in Morocco by a reader of the Autogespot forums. Follow the jump to check out one more picture of the car and to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Photo source: Autogespot

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iPod Touch Bug: Alarm

Well so much for the illusion of Apple's "it just works". I found a bug in iOS 4.1 in, of all things, the built in Alarm app.

After the end of daylight savings time, my alarm that was set for 6:00 AM now triggers at 7:00 AM, even though the click is set to 6:00 and the alarm is set to 6:00!

Happy Veterans Day

Did you know there is only one surviving American veteran of WWI?  Read Frank Buckle's fascinating story here.

Thank you to our military veterans.  You fought, and many of you were wounded, many of you lost friends, because the country asked you for service.  Our freedoms and comforts rest on your shoulders.

GE: Eating Up EV Tax Credits

Is there a downside to the public to GE's announcement that it will buy 25,000 EVs, including 12,000 Chevrolet Volts?  

The tax credit for EVs phases out after a manufacturer sells 200,000 of them.  From Public Law 111-5, Sections 1141-1144

`(2) PHASEOUT PERIOD- For purposes of this subsection, the phaseout period is the period beginning with the second calendar quarter following the calendar quarter which includes the first date on which the number of new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles manufactured by the manufacturer of the vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) sold for use in the United States after December 31, 2009, is at least 200,000.

By gobbling up EVs, GE certainly helps to jump-start the industry, but they also gobble up future tax credits that consumers would have gotten, unless GE opts to forego the EV tax credit.  Which would be bad business.

E15: Big OIl Fights Back

The American Petroleum Institute has filed a lawsuit to block the EPA's waiver allowing E15 in late model (post 2007) vehicles, on the grounds that the potential harmful effects from E15 have not been fully studied.

I agree with the API, at the heart of it.  If E15 is sold alongside E10, some customers may try to use it in older vehicles, and they could have problems.  

However, on the practical side, I don't see E15 going anywhere in this piecemeal permitting approach.  For E15 to have any impact, it will have to be mandated, not just permitted.  And I doubt it will be mandated until it has been proven safe for older vehicles.  Considering that the average age of cars on the road in the U.S. is around 10 years or so, to safely cover most used cars EPA needs to test back well before 2001 model year.  I don't have the data (R.L. Polk, where are you?) but I suspect you would have to go back to like 1995 to cover 95% of the vehicles on the road.

On the commercial side, gas station owners are not about to spend $20,000 per pump to upgrade to E15 certified pumps.  According to this NY Times piece, unless there is a mandate, gas stations are not going to be switching over.

The third option for service station owners is simply not to sell E15, which Mr. Eichberger said seemed likely. "It is an authorization without a mandate," he said. "There is no retailer out there who has to sell this product."

E15 will remain mostly a symbolic gesture for the near future.  And if your favorite station does put up signs warning you that they are selling E15, make sure you don't put it in your older car, boat, 4 wheeler, or lawnmower.