2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

2011 Cadillac CTS Premium Edition Coupe

by BRUCE HUBBARD

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

The CTS Cadillac Coupe for 2011 has been applauded for its exterior design and performance. Changes since first introduced in 2003 make it one of the worlds best vehicles.  Some “Buff” magazines state it is the Best American Car.   We agree it is an exceptional vehicle. The CTS V model was given the award from Car and Driver  this year as one of their ten best cars for 2011.  The Coupe is a classic 2+2 layout bolstered with advanced technology, such as a rear-view camera system and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The CTS Coupe’s design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008.

“CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” said Don Butler, Vice President – Cadillac Marketing. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”

“CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” said Don Butler, Vice President – Cadillac Marketing. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”

Cadillac states that the CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup. The lineup is the CTS Coupe we drove and the “monster high performance” CTS-V.

The CTS Coupe emerged as a proposal inside Cadillac’s dedicated design studio, where designers develop and evolve the brand’s Art and Science design philosophy.

“Cadillac has always been an emotional brand – it’s about delivering art regardless of body style,” said Max Wolff, director of exterior design for Cadillac. “With the CTS Coupe, it was about taking something very strong – the CTS Sport Sedan – and extending its potential.”

I walked around and photographed with my high resolution Canon EOS cameras. Every angle I saw was designed superbly. The camera images show that the Coupe is a wonderful vehicle to view from any angle. The Wedge shape was obvious. The straight and crisp lines of the headlamps and tail lamps are definitely all Cadillac.

Even the rear chromed dual center mounted exhaust have a design that makes the CTS stand out.

Our tester as seen in the photos was even an upgraded version known as the  Premium Collection Edition.  This is a drives vehicle. The CTS Coupe moves through the gears quickly and can handle every turn you dive into. The CTS Coupe Cadillac says has a number of adjustments in the chassis enabling crisper driving performance. Thanks to a superb suspension that includes an independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. The Coupe has a smaller 29mm front stabilizer bar (2 mm less than the Sedan,) while the rear bar is increased from 20mm to 24.5mm.  Damping force is firmer at all four corners, helping the Coupe reach 0.88g peak lateral acceleration in standard form, and more than 0.90 for the V-Series edition Cadillac states.

Braking, Stabilitrak and other intelligent computer controlled safety features are standard.

The quick acceleration is in part because engineers decided on an aggressive final drive gearing. The Coupe’s final drive ratio is 3.73:1, up from the 3.42:1 ratio of other CTS body styles, providing more responsive acceleration.Powerful brakes worked well throughout our week of testing. Little fade when used aggressively to bring the Coupe when traversing some of the best roads we could travel.  On all the roads we traveled the CTS Coupe was stuck to the pavement like a true sports car in part thanks to the larger tires and wheels.

The 3.6L Direct Injection gasoline engine delivers 304 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, available at 6400 and 5200 rpm, respectively. As in the sedan, this engine comes with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, the automatic features manual shifting via the shift lever or buttons on the back of the upper steering-wheel posts . All-wheel drive is available.

The CTS Coupe  runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline. Direct injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion, enabling more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions – including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.  

The interior of the Cadillac CTS includes hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console and instrument panel trim. Available heated and ventilated seats incorporate  which Cadillac alls “thin-seat” technology for maximum occupant comfort and enhanced rear-seat leg, knee and foot room. Fourteen-way adjustable Recaro sport seats are optional, as is a heated wood steering wheel.  The Recaro seats are very firm and on a long journey can make your ride somewhat uncomfortable.

So many vehicles have superb sound systems and excellent Navigational systems. Cadillac has been a leader in this for years. The Navigational system also works well with the well known “On Star” system.  My only wish would be to do as some of the Infiniti vehicles have is the “BIRDS EYE “ cameras. Touch of a button and can view on navigation system every angle of the vehicle.   The Bose system integrated iPod/MP3 capability and  40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio.

As with other Cadillac models, the 2011 CTS Coupe and V-Series come with OnStar 9.0, which now offers Flexible Speech Recognition, , as well as signature OnStar services such as Automatic Crash Response and Turn-by-Turn Navigation. Flexible Speech Recognition extends the user-friendliness of the system, enabling it to respond to thousands of phrases and sentences, rather than a menu of exact words. It also now has far better recognition of thick regional dialects within the languages it serves (French, English, Spanish and Mandarin.)

The CTS Coupe we drove I love but if you must have the ultimate in performance then take a look at the 2011 CTS-V Coupe.

The CTS-V design features include a grille that doubles car’s air intake volume, an important enabler for its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by a raised center section of the hood that provides clearance for the supercharger, as well as specific front and rear fascias. Like the CTS Coupe, its exhaust is centered inside the rear fascia, but with unique twin outlets. The CTS-V has rubber on 19-inch cast aluminum wheels, available in either painted or polished finishes, and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 performance tires.

Power for the V-Series Coupe comes from Cadillac’s LSA 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine, rated at 556 horsepower and 551 lb.-ft. of torque . It is the most powerful engine offered in Cadillac’s history and propels the CTS-V Coupe from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.  551 lb.-ft. at 3800 rpm, almost smack in the middle of the supercharged V-8's rev-band allowing you to adjust the CTS-V’s cornering angle with ease.  The best is if you want to turn the Stbilitrak off you can and then oversteer allows you to play.

The LSA engine on the CTS-V has the intercooled Eaton supercharger system, premium aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and numerous details designed to ensure it makes its power as quietly and smoothly as possible. The supercharger, for example, has a unique, four-lobe rotor design that enhances quietness while also optimizing the performance parameters of the engine.

A pair of six-speed transmissions is offered in the CTS-V Coupe: a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual with a dual-disc clutch and a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with paddle-shift control. Performance Algorithm Shifting is part of the 6L90’s programming and provides a performance-oriented shift pattern during sustained high-performance driving. As with many Cadillac models, the driver needs only to slide the shifter into the manual “gate” to put the transmission into that more aggressive mode. The paddle shift control requires no shift lever movement. Steering wheel thumb controls allow immediate and quick tap up/tap down gear selection.

The V-Series reaches elite levels of road-holding performance, but also maintains the poise of a luxury car in “regular” driving conditions. The technical enabler of that dual-mode driving character is Cadillac’s landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is standard on the CTS-V Coupe and is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision. GM first used the system on Corvette years ago that we tested at the GM proving grounds. Today they GM offers the system to other performance vehicle manufacturers.

Electronic sensors at all four wheels literally “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise control of body motions. The Magnetic Ride shocks also enable a broader range of damping control to optimize the ride and handling for all driving conditions. In the CTS-V Coupe, an extra measure of control is offered, with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport), enabling the driver to tailor the suspension for grand touring or more spirited performance driving.

CTS-V includes sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two companies renowned for high-performance technology: Brembo and Michelin. Brembo brakes are at all four corners and include powerful, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

Slotted and vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat resistance and eliminating fade. The brake rotors from Brembo employ a “dual-cast” technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in excellent performance and weight reduction. CTS-V also includes an electric parking brake, enabling more legroom for the driver, key for high-performance driving.

Michelin partnered with Cadillac engineers to develop its acclaimed Pilot Sport PS2 summer tire for CTS-V and its exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels. The tires support high levels of grip in track conditions, while also affording good performance on the road.

Recaro performance driving seats are optional in the CTS-V Coupe and provide excellent support for spirited driving. These 14-way adjustable performance seats include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.

The CTS-V Coupe also includes an exclusive new Saffron color option for the interior, providing a contrasting color accent carried on the seat inserts, as well as the stitching, which highlights the craftsmanship of the instrument panel, center console, door trim and seats.

The steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are covered in microfiber, providing the luxurious character of suede without suede’s inherent drawbacks of difficult care and moisture sensitivity. These accents are standard, elegant to the touch and help support high-performance driving.

Cadillac with the CTS-V can be proud that they have delivered a performance luxury sports car.

Motor Trend states the following: “Cadillac's CTS-V is not just the best American sports sedan in history; it's also one of the best in the world. Period. Better than Jaguar's impressive XFR. Better than BMW's legendary M5. And so close to Mercedes-Benz's benchmark E63 AMG that choosing between the two is really down to personal taste and whether your pockets are deep enough to handle the German car's $25,000 price premium.”

Competition is abundant when we discuss the CTS Coupe standard version which  includes Infiniti G37 Coupe,  Audi A5, BMW 335i Coupe.

The CTS Coupe begins at nearly $39,000.00 for the rear wheel drive model. All-Wheel-Drive models start at $42,000.00 and move up to $50,000.00 plus without options.  The performance Luxury option will add another $4,000.00 MSRP.  If you want the CTS-V with all the options expect to pay over $63,000.00.

Gas guzzler tax is another $1300.00 for the CTS-V. 

Autoadvisorgroup.blogpost.net

Brucehubbardphotography.ifp3.com

2011 DODGE DURANGO

2011 Dodge Durango models

by Bruce and Bradley Hubbard

Auto Advisor Group

Auto Channel

The six models of the 2011 Dodge Durango show that the Chrysler Group is very serious about the SUV market. With its sleek exterior design, modern, spacious interior, world-class suspension dynamics and intelligent and fuel-efficient and powerful powertrain options, the all-new Dodge Durango SUV’s deliver driving excitement and refinement combined with the interior flexibility of a three-row SUV.  After a two year hiatus the Dodge Durangi is back and Dodge dealerships are excited to have the important SUV back. This new Durango offers seating for seven in certain models. Those Dodge Journey buyers that want more in seating, cargo and towing capacity  can now move up to the Dodge Durango. Before if a Dodge dealer did not have the larger SUV customers would walk out the door to Ford or Checrolet/GMC or other manufacturers. I had a family follow me in Grosse Pointe for twenty minutes until I stopped in the Durango. They had to see the Durango I was testing. I had the base Express model and told them “bang for the buck” the e base model was superb. 

The Express had cloth seats that were manually adjusted. Worked well and the special materials held firmly in place. Chrysler is proud of the stain and water resistant cloth.

Trailer tow hitch installed that is part of the towing package.  The rubber seen on the rear bumper prevents most of the scratches many bumpers get when loading heavy items.

If they could not buy the Durango they were going for the AWD Dodge Journey. They loved the extra room, power and the ability to tow that the Durango offered. They came by my home later in the month and stated they bought the high end luxurious Citadel Durango that gave them 36,000 miles no maintenance cost bonus!  Dealers had told me they needed the Durango back.  Just as stated above customers love the Journey but when they needed more room, towing ability the Durango models were the way to go.

Dodge design chief Mark Trostle says the handsome new body of the 2011 Dodge Durango was shaped by the same “passionate” designers who did the muscular 2011 Dodge Charger. “It’s all about proportions,” he asserts, and its purposeful but pleasing proportions begin with a 10-inch-longer body on a five-in. longer wheelbase vs. the Grand Cherokee’s.

Designers of the 2011 Dodge Durango sculpted a forward-leaning, deeply recessed new interpretation of the Dodge-signature crosshair grille, browed headlamps, a sculpted hood and standard four-inch fog lamps. Its side profile has a powerful coke-bottle shape (like the new Charger’s), accented by aggressive fender arches. The greenhouse of the 2011 Dodge Durango blends seamlessly into the body, and a body-color rear roof spoiler contributes to a low 0.35 drag coefficient that improves both fuel efficiency and interior noise. The rear fascia of the 2011 Dodge Durango is sculpted around twin-3.5-in. exhausts on V8 models, a single three-in. outlet on V6s.

Folding roof rails keep wind noise down when folded. In the winter I usually kept them up for snow and ice can often prevent folding them

I drove at the media event in Northern California the Durango R/T and the Citadel. Both handled well with the HEMI under the hood and the 5-speed automatic transmission  with the All-Wheel-Drive configuration. I also drove a base model with the new Pentastar V-6 with the 2 –wheel rear wheel drive.  All were superb on the roads I encountered. Until I arrived back in Michigan and tested the Durango Express AWD model over a week I did not encounter snow, ice or rain, slippery surfaces. In the weather I encountered in Michigan the All- Wheel- Drive model with traction control, electronic stability control kept me on the straight and narrow.

One reason the Durango handles so well on the highway is that unlike the previous Durango the all-new Durango has a unibody structure is more than 25 percent stiffer than the vehicle it replaces, making it a driver’s SUV that delivers impressive on-road handling. The unibody structure Dodge states has 52 percent of   high-strength steels that improve driving dynamics by integrating the suspension with the body reducing flex. They also state that 5,500 welds and more than 4,100 mm of arc welding contribute to torsional rigidity levels greater than the Mercedes-Benz GL.

An all-new short/long arm front suspension and isolated multi-link rear suspension features isolated front and rear cradles for improved on-road handling and comfort. Aggressive shock and spring rates plus large sway bars keep body roll to a minimum in aggressive driving. 

“The Dodge Durango was designed, developed and built with quality as a top priority at every stage of the process,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President, Quality  at Chrysler Group.  “For example, we have increased the precision and the number of evaluations of fit-and-finish, making adjustments starting with the early digital design phase. Our engineers benchmark hundreds of criteria to set and achieve aggressive targets for performance against competitors.” Chrysler Group has adopted new manufacturing quality processes from its global alliance partner Fiat. The 2011 Dodge Durango is built along with the Jepp Grand Cherokee at the Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit. One of my aerial photos shows the facility in Detroit. New at he facility is the Metrology Center which is a new 20,000-square-foot space within the body shop dedicated to verifying the fit of each body component and how well it conforms to the design requirement. The Chrysler Group knew quality was an important issue and it shows in all their new products for 2011.

The Dodge Durango’s great exterior design, spacious and flexible interior, Pentastar V-6, V-8 and optional HEMI for certain models and two excellent transmissions make the Durango models perfect SUV’s for the consumer.

The new Durango pricing starts at $29,195 / $31,195  for the V-6–only Express, which includes 18-inch wheels, cloth seats, and some surprising features like remote start, three-zone climate control, a fold-flat front passenger seat, trailer-sway control, and hill-start assist. If you order the All-Wheel-Drive model you can order optional skid plates. Another option is the Sunroof which I would order. I would also order the TrailerTow II package that comes heavy duty cooling and load leveling shocks. With the Express you cannot order the V-8 Hemi legendary engine.

The $34,045 Crew model adds a 28-gig infotainment system with a nine-speaker Alpine audio and 6.5-inch touchscreen, keyless entry and start, a power liftgate, a roof rack, and the option to add the $5000 CrewLux package that nabs 20-inch wheels, a Garmin-powered navigation system, leather seating with heaters for the first two rows, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high-beams. As with the Express you can order the Sunroof as an option. You can also order the trailer tow package for either the V-8 or the V-6 models.

The high end  Citadel is priced at $41,795/  $43,795, bringing ventilated front seats, nappa leather upholstery, 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, parking and blind-spot assistance, rear cross-path detection, and adaptive cruise control. The Ciadel also gets free maintenance for 36,000 miles.  

The R/T is equipped much like the Crew, with its racier bits adding a reasonable $2000 or so, putting it at $33.195/ $35,195. All-wheel drive is available on the Crew models for a $2000 premium.

A drag coefficient of approximately 0.35 enables an aerodynamic improvement of more than 14 percent compared with its predecessor, contributing to quiet interior and improved fuel efficiency.

The Dodge Durango R/T’s exterior features a unique fascia with fog lamps, a body-color grille surround with black texture and xenon high-intensity discharge  headlamps.  The R/T model also is equipped with a color-matched body kit, wheel lips, light bar and rear fascia with integrated dual chrome exhaust outlets. Additionally, the Durango R/T offers an exclusive “Redline Red” exterior paint color.

Inside, the new Durango boasts 28 different seating configurations according to Dodge, with as much as 85 cubic feet of cargo and storage areas, leaving plenty of legroom for passengers and gear. With second- and third-row seats folded flat, the Durango can fit a lot of cargo.

Optional passenger seat folds flat so I could carry the ten and twelve foot treated lumber. Rear hatch had to use rope and carpet to keep hatch closed.

I drove the Durango R/T  throughout Northern, California  through the best roads imaginable. The HEMI can handle any of the mountain passes I found.   On the highway the passing ability was nothing but great.  Steering was very good thanks to the new electro-hydraulic steering system.

Visibility over the third row was another thing that the engineers and designers were proud of. When the third row is empty with the push of a button the headrests on the third row fall down to increase visibility.

Besides laminated glass that comes standard in all models the Durango features a double wall separating the engine compartment and the vehicle cabin to limit the amount of under-hood engine noise to occupants.

The all-new Durango is available with two powertrains that provide rear-wheel-drive performance and fuel efficiency.
The 3.6-liter V-6 engine is an all-new design, featuring double-overhead camshafts and a high-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block in a 60 degree configuration. Contributing to best-in-class V-6 towing for Durango, the engine delivers 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb.-ft.  of torque at 4,800 rpm, providing customers with more than 14 percent improvement in fuel economy Dodge stated to me at a press event. They also stated that a 38 percent increase in horsepower and 11 percent increase in torque over the engine it replaces. The EPA fuel economy miles per gallon  (City/Hwy) are 16/23 for rear-wheel-drive models, 16/22 for all-wheel-drive models.

This performance  Durango R/T version features a unique suspension tuning, load-leveling rear shocks, performance steering for improved response, a tuned exhaust system, 20-inch wheels with all-season performance tires, 20 mm lower ride height and a modern sports interior that holds you in your seat, all of which add another level of dynamic capability.

The R/T has a HEMI as standard but it is available on the Crew and Citadel is the  5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with fuel-saver mode in certain models. The 5.7-liter delivers 360 horsepower  and 390 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm and also features VVT. The EPA fuel economy mpg (City/Hwy) is 14/20 for rear-wheel-drive models and 13/20 for all-wheel-drive models. Durango R/T’s  interior has suede seats for seven passengers and “R/T” embroidered sport front seats with red stitching accents on seats; console lid and door trim armrests. The power driver seat features four-way lumbar adjustment. Owners will grip a leather wrap steering wheel and shift knob. Also, R/T owners will enjoy a 506-watt Alpine audio system with 10 speakers, including a subwoofer. Additional electronics include a 30 GB hard drive radio, remote start, power lift gate, Uconnect with Voice Command and passive entry with push button start. Available features include leather seats, Blind-spot Monitoring, adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning and navigation.

The 2011 Dodge Durango features two automatic transmissions and two available full-time all-wheel-drive systems (V-6 and V-8 versions). The drivelines provide smooth operation of the vehicle over a variety of road conditions. Soon we will see six-speed transmissions move over to Durango. Maybe even later could we see the 8 – speed from ZF?  The transmissions are already available on the Dodge Challenger.

 

The Durango’s all-new interior is wonderful and another plus for those who want the Dodge Durango. Created by the same interior design studio that designed the  interior in the Ram trucks and the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Durango’s upscale interior materials and thoughtful design will impress owners.  Everywhere you touch, from the steering wheel all the way back to the soft third row armrest, Durango passengers will feel materials that are refined. Durango’s interior is extremely comfortable even in the great cloth seating surfaces that are standard on the Express.

The instrument panel features a beautifully crafted monotone or two-tone appearance with a dark upper and lighter lower color and premium soft-touch materials for all price classes.

Dodge PR states that Durango has 45 safety and security features, including standard electronic stability control  that delivers three security features to improve overall vehicle stability both on- and off-road: electronic roll mitigation  reacts and applies brakes during extreme situations, while available Hill-start Assist (works with standard Trailer-sway Control  to enhance off-road and towing capabilities. You must read the options and package plans to know exactly which vehicles offer all the electronic based safety features. Only the Crew and Citadel get certain ones.

Other safety and security features available on the 2011 Dodge Durango include Blind-spot Monitoring  and Rear Cross Path  detection, which aid drivers when they’re changing lanes or in parking lot situations. In addition, Durango features standard seat-mounted air bags in the front row. A side curtain air bag extends protection to all three rows. Durango also includes standard front-row active head restraints.

From families taking a long road trip and needing to keep the kids entertained, to sports enthusiasts who don’t want to miss the game and teens who can’t live without on-line gaming, the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango offers the latest high-tech features to keep driver’s eyes on the road and passengers connected. Drivers can communicate, navigate and select entertainment options with advanced voice-recognition controls. Passengers can stay entertained with the latest available features, including, SIRIUS Satellite Radio™, SIRIUS Backseat TV™ and Uconnect® Web. The SIRIUS Backseat TV is amazing and will continue to offer more stations. Of course all these systems require a fee to use.

At the  2011 Chicago Auto Show the Dodge Durango received before even revealing the new Durango Heat Motor Weeks Drivers’ Choice Award. “The Dodge team is truly honored that MotorWeek has selected the Dodge Durango for a Drivers’ Choice Award,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO—Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Durango represents where the Dodge brand is going with its six new or refreshed products for 2011 — striking vehicles that are thoroughly engineered and fun to drive. It’s always rewarding when third party sources recognize that we’re creating quality products that will delight our customers.”

 “The team that worked on Durango really put their hearts into creating an SUV with a soul,” Gilles added. “When consumers get behind the wheel, they’ll experience a performance-tuned SUV that has the interior spaciousness of a crossover, still delivers best-in-class towing and starts under than $30,000. It’s a tremendous package.”

At a media event in San Francisco I tested the V-6– and V-8–powered Durango’s on the roads of Northern, California. The Durango models I  drove performed well on the highway and the great roads of that area including those of Napa Valley.

Slide into the new cabin of the 2011 Dodge Durango and you find premium soft-touch materials front-to-rear regardless of trim level. Interior design chief Klaus Busse calls it “friendly all the way back to the third row, with nice, soft edges throughout.” An interactive Electronic Vehicle Information Center  provides a variety of useful information, and the new instrument panel offers a choice of monotone or two-tone trim with dark upper and lighter lower colors.

Dodge states that the Uconnect  System is Chrysler's user-friendly approach to today's connected technology. From music to travel destinations.  Advanced Uconnect Media Center radios let you store thousands of songs, select playlists, play videos, view photos and more. Certain Durango models can be equipped to let you listen to SIRIUS Satellite Radio and navigate. And if equipped with Uconnect  Phone, the radio accepts voice commands. The system has received awards for it’s innovations.

The Durango’s six  trim levels and $12,000 to $14,000 base-price spread give it a huge competitive set. The base Express and mid-grade Crew models will provide stiff competition for other large three rowers like the Ford Flex, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, and Mazda CX-9, all of which are V-6–powered with output and fuel-economy figures similar to the Durango V-6’s. None of them, however, offers a V-8 or rear-wheel drive.  Those looking at the Ford Explorer  (that also has a unibody frame) or the Chevy Tahoe should take a look and test drive of the Dodge Durango.  So many great things about the new Durango’s. Sure they share a lot with the great Jeep Grand Cherokee that helps both members of the Chrysler Group share certain parts. But, the Chrysler Group has made a big splash bringing the Durango back.

I am a boater and appreciate the towing abilities of the Dodge Durangos’. In the photo attached Dodge gave us numerous trailers to tow including the boat you see. The power of the V8 4 -Wheel Drive models (R/T, Crew and Citadel only) that gives 7200 pound capacity. The HEMI-powered, all-wheel-drive Durango features a low-range transfer case for light off-road recreation and to ease maneuvers while towing, such as pulling a boat out of the water from a high degree launch or backing up with a trailer attached. The Pentastar V6 offers with their towing package 6200 pounds. All models have standard  sway control system that helps keep the trailer on the road when you order the trailer package. With the trailer tow package you get premium load leveling rear shocks.

These load leveling shocks mechanically pump up when the vehicle has added rear payload. When the payload is initially added the car will squat like standard suspension, but as the shock is stroked (during normal driving), the gas pressure will increase until the shock reaches the level design height.

The base Express and Durango Heat you cannot add some of the options that are standard on the R/T or high end Citadal. That includes the entertainment system that is nearly $1600.00 and includes rear screens on the rear heat rests, wireless head sets, and even SIRIUS TV.

The fancy Durango Citadel V-6  model’s competition is the Buick Enclave and/or the  Lincoln MKT in V-6 form. The Durango offers more than those in style and performance/handling at a better price.  The Durango Citadel V-8 competitor may be the GMC Yukon Denali and again price for the Citadel V-8 is better. The Citadel I drove had standard a sunroof. All other models it is optional at nearly $650.00. The Citadel has standard an electric telescoping and tilt steering wheel as standard as does the Crew and  Crew Lux and R/T when the leather group is added. If you order the “equipment Group and Entry Navigation Cummuter Group you can get what is standard on the Lux and Citadel a Park View rear backup camera. It includes the 6.5 inch display that displays a rear view image when the vehicle is shifted in reverse.

Park sense is available on all models but standard on the Lux and Citadel. If an object comes near the rear of the vehicle the sensor alerts the driver.

One safety feature only available on the R/T and standard on the Citadel is the adaptive cruise control system. A system that you set with cruise control and can select from three preset distance settings. This allows you to stay behind vehicles at set distance. If that distance changes the brakes will hold the car back to avoid an accident. After the cars in front speed up and allow distance preset to be met then the vehicle will automatically drive to your preset speed. Included in the package is Forward Collision Warning that wars the driver if a potential collision is possible. This is included in the Adaptive Cruise Control package.

Standard on all models is traction control and electronic stability control with roll-over mitigation plus brake assist, and four-channel anti-lock brakes.

 The 2011 Dodge Durango front seats offer four-way lumbar adjustments and can be warmed or cooled with heating and ventilating options.

Back in Michigan I drove the base Express model.

Although the R/T package entices with performance bias styling and handling, the R/T Durango maintains SUV capability with room for seven passengers and 84.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

Arriving in U.S. dealer showrooms in Spring 2011. Dodge states that the R/T model will appeal mainly to customers who have driven a performance sedan, but need the flexibility and functionality of a minivan and are looking for a vehicle with superior handling and agility.

The 2011 Dodge Durango R/T model has a starting U.S. MSRP of $35,465 (excluding $850 destination).

Complimenting the Durango lineup will be the Durango Heat. This is the performance Sport Utility Vehicle that customers will love. The full-size SUV segment, introducing a new affordable performance package for the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango SUV – the Dodge Durango Heat. Designed to complement the performance-tuned Durango R/T, the new Heat package delivers aggressive styling, the high-performing 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 295 horsepower and a surprisingly affordable price. With a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Retail Price (MSRP) of $30,295 (excluding destination), the Dodge Durango Heat will be available at dealerships across the country in the Spring of 2011.

“Durango Heat is about handling performance and a street presence that puts the sport in sport- utility,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand – Chrysler Group LLC. “The unibody rear-wheel-drive (available all-wheel-drive), two-row exclusive seating configuration makes this the lightest Durango model. A world-class double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension make Heat a handling champ that moves out smartly with 295 horsepower, a dual-exhaust, tuned air induction, custom 20-inch Satin Carbon finished wheels while delivering ultimate utility with more storage room at 50 cubic feet than anything it competes with. The Durango Heat also is among the most efficient in its class at 23 miles per gallon on the highway. For the money, there’s truly nothing like it on the market.”

From the outside, the Durango Heat and the R/T have a striking resemblance. Both feature a unique fascia with fog lamps, a color-matched grille and dark headlamp bezels. The color-matched body kit, wheel lips and rear fascia with integrated dual chrome exhaust outlets, give the Heat a lower stance.

Aggressive suspension tuning, performance steering, unique 20-inch wheels with all-season performance tires (three-season high-performance tires for even greater grip and response also are available), a 20-mm lower ride height, tuned dual-exhaust and a modernized interior that holds drivers in their seats.

Chrysler’s Fred DePerez , who heads up Dodge Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey marketing  states “The Dodge Durango represents where this brand is going.”.    “It’s youthful and fun, with good ride and handling and connectivity.”

Just a few days ago the 2011 Durango Hybrid was cancelled. Chrysler, GM and BMW have been working together to develop Hybrids.  Since they have moved away from the Hybrid I would  like to see them offer a diesel version of the Durango. At the Geneva show they already announced more diesel versions of the Chrysler Group Jeep Grand Cherokee. VW, Mercedes, Audi, BMW have all done well with the clean Diesels presently on the roads of North America. It is a rumor but Jeep may be bringing a diesel to the North American market. Look at what RAM just did with the Super Duty and Cummins.  The Moab crawlers would love a Jeep that had as much torque as a diesel could deliver. Not to mention the fuel economy and the engine longevity.  Jaguar is bring a diesel to the USA very soon. If Jag can do it Dodge and Jeep Certainly can.

Autoadvisorgroup.blogspot.com

To view other aerial photos  and landscapes by Bruce Hubbard visit   Brucehubbardphotography.ifp3.com

2011 Easter Moab Safari

MOAB Easter Jeep Safari 2011

By Bruce Hubbard

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

                 JEEP Wrangler Renegard

Each year, thousands of diehard off-road enthusiasts descend upon Moab, Utah, for the Easter Jeep Safari and a week of fun on some of the country’s best and most rugged trails. Jeep and Mopar are marking the occasion by returning to the annual event – which takes place April 16-24 – with six new customized vehicles.

They are showing off what they can do for not just Jeep’s but the RAM’s with MOPAR accessories.

“The annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari provides us a perfect opportunity to interact with our most loyal fans in a true Jeep setting,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are able to demonstrate and test new potential Jeep production and customization ideas at our away-from-home proving ground, while getting instant feedback from our customers.”

More than 30 percent of the people who are in the market for a new vehicle are influenced by the breadth and availability of aftermarket accessories and Mopar comes to the party with a vast selection of accessories that will fit a variety of lifestyles.

“From full engine packages to slush mats, Mopar has everything for the avid off-roader,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “In fact, Mopar covers the spectrum with more than 280,000 proven quality-tested parts and accessories that allow customers to personalize their Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat vehicles.” 

   JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

Over the past decade, a dedicated group of engineers, designers and fabricators from Mopar and Jeep have customized more than two dozen vehicles and a host of off-road parts and accessories, and showcased them to the enthusiast crowds in Moab.

                       JEEP “Pork Chop”

The primary focus in the development of ‘Pork Chop’ was to increase Jeep Wrangler’s off-road fun and performance even more through extensive weight savings. The project started with a new 2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport. Weight savings began with removal of a long list of items, including: doors, top, tailgate, bumpers, carpet and sway bars.

Body modifications began with removing the rear tailgate hinges and latches and creating a custom surround. The inner fender panels were reshaped and the taillamps relocated closer together. A custom roll cage was crafted and the windshield height was reduced two inches. Hanson Bumpers provided a set of unique aluminum bumpers and QMC contributed their prototype aluminum/carbon fiber hood, held in place with Drake aluminum hood latches.

Mopar added an aluminum cold-air intake kit, lightweight fender-flares, slush mats and mirror re-location brackets.

The interior was updated with bright red lightweight Sparco ‘Chrono Road’ reclining bucket seats. Gale Banks added a unique set of long tube headers and dual-exhaust with an integrated H-pipe to replace the stock system. Further weight savings was recognized courtesy of a Gen-Right-fabricated, prototype rear-mounted 20-gallon fuel tank and aluminum skid plate.

A smaller evaporation canister for the emissions system was borrowed from a 2012 Fiat 500. The massive weight savings actually lifted the suspension, which was combined with a moderate Mopar lift to clear Mickey Thompson 35-inch Baja Claw radials mounted on lightweight 17x8 E-T Vintage V wheels. The suspension includes Bilstein 2-inch shocks with reservoirs and TeraFlex air bumps at all four corners. Dynatrac Axles designed lightweight ProRock 44 front & rear axles fitted with 4.88 gears, ARB air lockers and prototype aluminum differential covers. The axles are located with unique aluminum control arms provided by Full Traction.

The result is a weight savings of more than 850 lbs., and even more open-air Jeep Wrangler fun.

For 2011, the team has built up its first Jeep Compass. The project began with a new 2011 model equipped with Freedom Drive II drivetrain. The Compass Canyon features a 2-1/8-inch lift kit provided by Rocky Road Suspension, making room for Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ 225/75-R16 tires with 16-inch alloy wheels from a Jeep Liberty.

To gain additional wheel articulation, front and rear sway bars were removed. Select items from the Mopar catalog include a cold-air induction kit, cat-back exhaust system, slush mats and a sport pedal trim kit.

To protect the underbody, the team installed an extensive set of front and rear skid bars, sill guards and longitudinal skid plates to fend off the harsh rocks on the trails of Moab.

                  Jeep Cherokee Overland

The mission for the Jeep Cherokee Overland was to create a small, light adventure platform alternative. The template is a built-for-export 2011 Jeep Cherokee (Jeep Liberty in the U.S.) equipped with a 2.8-liter CRD 4-cylinder turbo diesel and Selec-Trac II 4x4 system.

ARB offered their steel roof rack, awning, compact refrigerator and prototype rock rails to set the Overland’s mood.

To increase off-road capability, an ARB 3-inch suspension lift and Old Man Emu shocks clear the way for Mickey Thompson 265/75-R16 MTZ tires mounted on steel wheels. Traction is increased with the addition of an ARB air locker in the rear differential and on-board air compressor.

Mopar provided a host of underbody protection including skid plates for the front suspension, transmission and transfer case. Additional items from the Mopar catalog include front and rear tow hooks, slush mats, cargo tray liner, sill guards and sport pedal kit.

To blend in with the wildlife, an update of the classic zebra safari pattern paint scheme is added to the exterior.

At the heart of the Jeep Wrangler Renegade is the all-new 475 horsepower, 6.4-liter HEMI™ V-8 from Chrysler Group LLC’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) engineering team. Harkening back to the 1972 Jeep Renegade, which was offered with a V-8, Jeep and Mopar mated the HEMI to a 6-speed manual transmission feeding a Dynatrac prepped ProRock 44 front axle and ProRock 60 rear axle, both equipped with ARB air lockers and 4.10 gears. To clear the 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw radials mounted on AEV Pintler wheels, an AEV/Nth Degree 4-inch suspension lift was installed.

Mopar added a heat dissipating hood and a new winch-mount front bumper. Other Mopar accessories include: fuel door, sill guards, bikini top, rock rails, slush mats and a half-door kit.

Warn provided their all-new 9.5 CTi series winch and AEV finished off the Renegade with their rear bumper/spare tire carrier combo. The interior was treated to a Katzkin seat trim kit sourced from the Mopar catalog and the exterior was finished in a black and gold paint scheme that recalls the early 1970’s CJ5 Renegade model.

Taking cues from the popular Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from the 1980’s, Mopar has designed a kit for do-it-yourselfers that converts a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup truck. The bed length is 50 inches and the width between wheel wells is 44 inches. The team created body panels to cover the second-row entrance and removed all of the interior parts behind the front seats—transforming the vehicle into a two-seater with just enough room for gear inside, and a pickup style bed to be used for outside cargo. 

                         Jeep Wrangler JK-8

The JK-8 drivetrain is fitted with a Mopar/Dynatrac ProRock 44 front axle and stock Dana 44 rear axle, both spun with 4.88 gears. Linking the axles to the frame is a 4.5-inch long-arm suspension kit and General tires make the connection to the ground. A fresh coat of yellow paint and Mopar’s off-road bumpers for the front and rear were utilized along with a new fuel door and slush mats.

The JK-8 kit includes bed floor, inner/outer body panels, half hard top (works with Freedom Top panels), and a new bulkhead.

              Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush

Inspired by the King of the Hammers race in the deserts of California, the Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush combines high-speed off-road racing and rock-crawling capability. At the core is a Mopar 426 cubic-inch HEMI with 540 horsepower. The all-aluminum V-8 is paired with a 545RFE performance transmission and a gear-drive transfercase.

To help the suspension keep up with the engine, Mopar added a high-speed, performance off-road suspension system with internal bypass shocks, front stabilizer bar and full hydro-steering. Gigantic 39-inch tires are turned with the help of custom driveshafts. The Wrangler Blue Crush also features a baja-style full cage, race seats, fuel cell and short aluminum bumpers.

                     Mopar Ram Runner

The available Mopar Ram Runner kit was inspired by high-speed desert off-road racing. The rigors of off-road racing require large tires, additional ground clearance and a sophisticated suspension system capable of withstanding tremendous impact. These features are combined with the proven HEMI 5.7-liter V-8 into a package that is stable at speed and rock-solid in the corners. Inspired by trophy trucks, steel front fenders and rear bed-sides are replaced with fiberglass layered in the Liquid Metal Mopar racing scheme. The high-clearance wheel wells allow tremendous suspension articulation with zero tire-to-body interference.

Description	Part number	Price
Pre-runner stage II lift kit	P5155662	$13,270
OFF-ROAD FRONT BUMPER	P5155663	$1,250
OFF-ROAD REAR TIRE CARRIER	P5155664	$1,010
OFF-ROAD FRONT FENDERS	P5155665	$1,020
OFF-ROAD REAR FENDERS (6' 4" BED)	P5155666	$1,350

According to the Chrysler Group Ram and Mopar will sponsor the 2011 TORC short-course off-road racing series and bring a significant on- and off-track presence to each round of the championship. Ram will become the official vehicle of TORC with the Mopar Ram Runner pacing all of the series’ events.

Jeep and Mopar will have a large display in the center of downtown Moab during the Easter Jeep Safari with these and a number of other customized vehicles on exhibition, including the previously introduced Jeep Grand Cherokee Off-road Edition, Jeep Wrangler Mayhem, Jeep Wrangler Immortal, Mopar Camper Trailer, Jeep Wrangler Tan Man, Jeep Wrangler “The General” and a fully dressed military version of the Jeep Wrangler J-8 with turret and passenger mounted-machine guns. The photos seen here are some of the product being shown by Jeep/ RAM and Chrysler.

Built on 70 years of legendary heritage the Jeep brand delivers exceptional vehicles to their large customer base. With MOPAR accessories seen in the Photos they offer the Jeep aficionados everything they need.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all six Jeep models are sold outside North America - and all are available in right-hand drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options.

Mopar is Chrysler Group service, parts and customer-care brand. Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source for all original-equipment parts for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat vehicles. When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor parts Corporation  in 1929.  MOPAR

www.mopar.com