Dodge Challenger: Retro Packaging, Current Technology 2015

Following up on six years of steadily increasing sales, Dodge revealed an update of the revivalist Challenger pony car at the New York International Auto Show, an extensive freshening that preserves the look, spirit, and rumble of yesteryear with contemporary engineering and electronics

The 2015 Dodge Challenger sustains its unabashedly retro roots, but the updated styling is drawn from the 1971 model, rather than 1970, according to the Dodge. That year, its second on the market, marked the zenith of Challenger performance, the final year with the option of 426 Hemi V-8 muscle

Subtle Design Cues

The design distinctions between 1970 and '71 were subtle, and that's true of the 2015 update. The front and rear fascias have been redesigned-a thinner split grille slot, deeper airdam, an LED halo surrounding the quad headlights, a bigger power bulge in the hood, a new Shaker hood option, and LED taillights

But like the transition from 1970 to '71, the 2015 profile is essentially the same as 2014. Aside from a new cast aluminum axle housing, that's also true of the chassis. And the retro theme is sustained by what Dodge calls "high impact heritage hues:" B5 Blue, Tor Red, and Sublime, an electric green that may be visible from low earth orbit. There are also seven "heritage inspired" stripe options

Redesigned Cabin

The all-new interior is a blend of retro design and contemporary technology. Highlights under this heading include a new 7-inch TFT cluster nestled between the tachometer and speedometer with programmable information via Dodge's Performance Pages feature; a new 8.4-inch touchscreen option with Chrysler's U-Connect telematics; driver selectable operating modes; and a new rearview camera. An S3 card slot, auxiliary audio input and USB outlet are integrated into a new media hub housed in the center armrest

The front seats have been redesigned, with upholstery choices ranging from cloth to Nappa leather, and the option of heating and cooling for those clad with hides. There's also a performance seat option with heftier bolstering

V-6 and V-8 Power

As you'd expect, there's no shortage of muscle. Engine choices are familiar: Chrysler's 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, and 5.7- and 6.4-liter Hemi V-8s. EPA fuel economy ratings weren't final at show time, but are expected to be about the same as 2014

Output for the Hemis ranges up to 375 hp and 410 pound-feet of torque in the Challenger R/T when the intake air is enhanced by cold air from the optional Shaker hood, and the engine is paired with a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission. The Shaker package also includes a low restriction exhaust, emitting a visceral rumble.The Shaker package also extends to the chassis via the optional Super Track Pack, with upgrades to suspension, brakes, steering, three-mode stability control, and Goodyear Eagle F1 performance rubber

The 6.4 Hemi generates 485 hp and 475 lb-ft, and both Hemis will include the option of Chrysler's TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic (standard with the V-6), replete with paddle shifters and a new electronic shift feature

Also new: an electric power steering system

Scat Pack Returns

Dodge has also introduced a new line of Scat Pack accessories from Mopar, Chrysler's in-house aftermarket department. Scat Pack hardware includes 5.7-liter V-8 engine upgrades, performance suspension parts, and 20 x 9-inch forged alloy wheels, and Brembo brakes, plus a Scat Pack appearance package with a 276-watt audio system and animated start-up screen

Offered in eight trim levels-SXT, SXT Plus, R/T, R/T Plus, R/T Shaker, R/T Plus Shaker, 6.4-liter Scat Pack, and 392 HEMI Scot Pack Shaker-the 2015 Challengers will reach showrooms this fall, with some of the high performance Shaker elements due later in the year

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Chevrolet Trax Arrives Stateside 2015

Chevrolet introduced a new, small SUV to its U.S. portfolio in the form of the 2015 Trax at the New York Auto Show. Originally launched in both Mexico and Canada back in 2012 and then Europe last year, the 2015 Chevrolet Trax joins division's SUV lineup bringing features like available OnStar 4G LTE, Siri Eyes Free, and a built in Wi-Fi hot spot

Available in three trim levels - LS, LT, and LTZ - the 2015 Chevrolet Trax sports divisional styling cues like the signature dual-port grille, a prominent bowtie emblem, and swept headlights. Other available exterior details include fog lights and simulated front and rear skid plates. Out back, vertical taillights flank the tailgate which help accent bodylines and give the wheel arches a more pronounced look. In all, 10 exterior colors will be available including Orange Rock metallic, Blaze Red, and White Pearl Tricoat

High Line Interior

Inside, a dual-cockpit instrument panel shares styling with that found in the subcompact Sonic and features a large, performance-oriented analog tachometer. The speedometer as well as other vital readouts is displayed digitally. A 7-inch color touchscreen display sits in the middle of the center console. Chevy's MyLink system and all of its apps come standard with the display screen and can accommodate an available GPS-enabled app navigation system that can be downloaded. A rearview camera is also standard. A small-diameter, thick-rimmed steering wheel is wrapped in leather on LTZ and some LT models. LS models get a cloth interior while LT trims get deluxe cloth or you can opt for the available cloth/leatherette. LTZ models get the full leatherette treatment. The 60/40 split rear seat folds down flat giving way to 48.4 cubic feet of space. With the seats in place, the Trax offers 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space

Under the hood, a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is the only option and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevy estimates that the 2015 Trax will rated at 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. The drivetrain configuration allows the Trax to keep its weight down, boost interior space, and enhance safety crush zones

Pricing will be announced closer to its on sale date, which is expected to be sometime early next year

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Chevrolet Suburban LTZ Quick Take 2015

Texas has a well-deserved reputation for big things, from the size of the state to portions of barbequed brisket. So, it was fitting on a recent trip to Dallas for a family wedding that we had an opportunity to drive around in a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ

This 7-passenger SUV is outsized, riding on a 130-inch wheelbase and measuring 224.3 inches overall. It was great at hauling a lot of people, and on the open road was fairly easy to maneuver. However, in tighter parking garages, it is truly a handful- that's where the rear-view camera and parking sensors with built-in vibrating seat warnings helped tremendously in avoiding contact with other vehicles or stationary objects

SUV usefulness, Corvette pricing

The 2015 model year marks the 80th anniversary of the Suburban nameplate but the latest edition is a far cry from its forebear. There is plenty of the utility part of being an SUV, particularly the load space behind the third row. But there is also a huge luxury component that was never dreamed about when these rather Spartan vehicles first came on the scene. Our test vehicle was richly appointed with stitched leather seating and dash surfaces, beautifully turned out wood trim and classy chrome accents

The Suburban LTZ model we drove had a base price of $64,600 base price and when equipped with the Sun, Entertainment, Destination package that added a power sunroof and navigation, as well as retractable running  boards , adaptive cruise control, and a trailering package, the all-in price came to an eye-popping $72,835

Dressed to impress

Despite, or maybe in Texas, because of the sticker, the Chevrolet Suburban LTZ, clad in black, looks the part of being the preferred ride of a Texas oilman or former U.S. president. It has an impressive size and aggressive good looks thanks to the huge chrome grille and projector beam headlamps. The new design of GM's full-size SUVs have a linear, tailored look that comes off as being more formal than the previous generation that had softer contours

The 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V-8 engine, with 383 lb-ft of torque, provided plenty of power through the smooth-shifting 6-speed transmission.  We never felt that powertrain was ever overwhelmed by the size and weight of the vehicle

While the basic seating and control layout was well-laid out and in most cases easy to use, the touch screen and nav system took a little patience in mastering. There are other easier and more intuitive touch screens out there-the Chevy's took more steps to enter even basic addresses and wasn't very good at offering up lists and alternatives when inputting addresses or points of interest

These minor nits aside, the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ has the looks, features and performance that would give many luxury full-size SUVs from European manufacturers a run for their money

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Chevrolet reinvents Colorado midsize pickup truck for 2015

Absent from the North American midsize pickup market since the 2012 model year, Chevrolet made its much-anticipated return official today with the unveiling of the 2015 Colorado at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. Billed as the third element in a three-truck strategy-Silverado Heavy Duty, Silverado half-ton, and midsize Colorado-the new pickup was characterized as a "scaled down Silverado" by Jeff Luke, chief engineer for pickup trucks at General Motors. Luke added that this doesn't mean the Colorado revival will be based on the Silverado chassis, nor will it be a version of the Colorado that continued to enjoy strong sales in Thailand after GM pulled the plug on North American sales. Like the Silverado, the new Colorado will ride on a fully boxed frame, but the chassis will be unique to the mid-size truck, according to Chevrolet.Although dimensional specifics weren't announced, Luke noted that the Colorado will be 5 inches narrower, 3 inches lower, and some 900 pounds lighter than the Silverado, thanks in large part to a chassis that's about 40 percent lighter than that of the full-size truck

Three engines

When the truck goes on sale in the fall of 2014, Colorado buyers will have two engine options: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder rated for 193 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 good for 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft. Both engines already exist in the General Motors North American powertrain inventory. Engine choices will expand to three in 2016, when a 2.5-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder becomes available, a first in the midsize pickup category. Chevrolet did not release output figures for the diesel. All engines will be mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and buyers will have a choice of rear- or 4-wheel drive. Chevrolet sources also hint that another transmission choice may become available shortly after launch, but declined to furnish specifics other than to say that a manual gearbox is unlikely. Towing capabilities will range up to 6700 pounds, which Chevrolet anticipates will be best in class

The company also expects Colorado fuel economy ratings to be tops among midsize pickups. While the truck's EPA ratings are yet to come, that would mean maximums of at least 22 mpg city/26 highway for a rear-drive 4-cylinder model. Toyota's Tacoma, the segment's current bestseller, maxes at 21 mpg/25 highway for a standard cab rear-drive model with a 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission. The revivalist Colorado will be offered in extended and crew cab body styles -- no standard cab. Extended cab models will come with a 6-foot cargo bed, Crew Cabs with a 5-foot bed, the longest bed in the midsize segment for a four-door pickup according to Chevrolet. Suspension elements consist of coil-over front springs and 2-stage semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The brake system comprises discs front and rear, Like the Silverado, the Colorado will offer an EZ-Lift tailgate and a standard Step Assist pad at each end of the rear bumper to make it easier to climb in and out of the cargo bed. The bed rails and cargo floor will include 13 tie-down points, and a standard two-tiered storage system will expand cargo bed versatility. Chevy also plans to offer a variety of cargo accessories. There will be three trim levels-the basic WT (for Work Truck), mid-grade LT, and top-of-the-line Z71, designed to tackle off-road work. All three versions will be available in extended and crew cab body styles, and all offer the option of 4-wheel drive

The Inner Colorado

Inside, the Colorado's instrumentation and center stack echoes that of the new Silverado, and shares much of the full-size truck's features, including Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment and connectivity system. An 8-inch color touch screen dominates the center dash in LT and Z71 models, which also include USB drives. A 4.2-inch driver information screen enhances the instrument cluster, and a navigation system with voice recognition will be an available. Key instruments will include halo backlighting, making them easier to find and operate at night, and the standard center console is big enough to swallow a tablet computer. All trim levels will be furnished with cloth upholstery, and Z71 models will have unique color and trim details, including embossing on the seatbacks and contrasting stitching. Unlike the Silverado, the Colorado's shifter will be in the traditional center position, between the front seats. Standard safety features include front and side curtain airbags; rear view camera; Stabilitrak stability control with rollover mitigation; trailer sway control; and hill descent control. The Colorado will also offer the option of forward collision alert and lane departure warning, both firsts in the mid-size pickup segment according to Chevrolet

Pricing With the Colorado's on-sale date almost a year away, Chevrolet refrained from furnishing any pricing specifics, other than to say that the new truck would have the "best value proposition" in its class. However, it's likely that Chevy's new truck will be priced against the Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, the two trucks that currently dominate the hitherto shrinking midsize pickup class. Current Tacoma pricing ranges from about $18,000 up to about $30,000. Chevrolet's L.A. presentation made it clear that the company is bullish on its new truck, and the future of the midsize category. Chief engineer Luke flatly expects the Colorado to be "the most capable, fuel efficient, versatile midsize truck." Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America, goes further, stating that the Colorado "reinvents the midsize truck, while reinvigorating the segment at the same time." How much room does that leave for the GMC Canyon, the Colorado's upscale clone? We'll have to wait for January's Detroit auto show to learn the answer to that question

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Chevrolet City Express rolls into Chicago 2015

Making its first public appearance, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will add a new dimension to the automaker's fleet and commercial lineup when it arrives in showrooms this fall. As we reported last May, the new City Express is based on the highly regarded Nissan NV200 van and offers buyers a smaller and more affordable but still extremely capable alternative to the full-size Chevy Express. Although built under contract by Nissan, Chevrolet will provide all service for this versatile light-duty hauler through its own dealer network

Save for mild cosmetic tweaks - highlighted by the use of a signature Bowtie grille badge --  the front-drive City Express is an NV200 to its rugged core. As for vital stats, this Chevy alter-ego will be available in LS and LT trims, both fitted with a 131-horsepower/2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine backed by a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. Built on a 115.2-inch wheelbase and measuring 186.3 inches nose-to-tail, the 2-passenger City Express also boasts 122.7 cu ft of readily configurable cargo space that can be easily accessed through its dual sliding side doors and 60/40 split rear doors that can swing out to 90- and 180-degree positions. Six floor-mounted D-rings and 20 integrated mounting points further enhance utility

Standard features on both City Express trim grades include power windows, a driver information center, fold-flat passenger seat, 12V powerpoint and a large covered center storage bin. The LT adds remote keyless entry and heated power mirrors along with cruise control and backup sensors -- the latter two items also available as LS options. Buyers opting for LT trim also will be able to add the Technology Package that includes navigation, XM Radio, Bluetooth, USB input, steering-wheel audio controls and a rear view camera. Pricing for the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will be announced closer to its on-sale date

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