Carscoop

Embargover: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country / Voyager totally unveiled

Oh, boy, I’d bet you an arm and a leg that this leak will make a dozen or so heads melt down in Detroit. Following the two pics (2008 Chrysler Town & Country and the 2008 Dodge Caravan) that where leaked in a Spanish forum yesterday, today, another Spanish site named “KM77” came out with a full set of pics featuring the new Chrysler Voyager –aka, the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country in the States. Here’s the badly translated (but understandable) version of KM77’s article:

“Throughout 2007, it will be on sale the new Chrysler Voyager. In the United States, it’s sold as the "Town & Country" and it’s the same car as the Dodge Caravan. With respect to the Voyager that still is sold there are great differences in the designs of the outside and the interior. Like the previous model, it has seven seats, with two individual seats in the second row and a sidewalk of three seats in third. The seats of the second row are revolving, they have apoyabrazos integrated and it is possible to be placed a table between those seats and the one of the third row.

In addition, there is an electrical device that is in charge to fold and to unfold —by sections— the seat of the third row. There are some details of quality, like the inner mirror to watch the back rows, the good inner illumination and the compartment portaobjetos that there is throughout the ceiling. This compartment of the ceiling lodges two panoramic displays, so that the occupants of the rows second and third can see films in DVD and connect a videoconsola or another reproductive compatible multimedia.

In addition, there are other portaobjetos compartments. It emphasizes the console that there is between both front seats, that have several drawers and posavasos. Among other elements of equipment, it could have control of stability, climatizador of three zones, leather seats with electrical adjustment and calefactables, elevalunas electrical in the second row, automatic ignition of lights, controls in the steering wheel, rear-view electrocrómico interior, programmer of speed and navigator with maps in DVD and screen in color.

The back lateral doors and the inner door have electrical opening from the interior. The inner door finalizes in the ground of the maletero, is no inferior frame, which favors the load of the maletero. Some of these elements will be of series —according to versions—, others will be available as optional equipment and others will be specific for the American version.

At the moment, a Chrysler Voyager with two different bodies is sold: one cuts (4.80 ms) and another long one (5.10 ms), both with seven seats. There are four motors to choose in the present Voyager, two gasoline (2.4 lt 152 Hp and 3.3 lt of 174 Hp) and two Diesel engine (2.5 lt 143 HP and 2.8 lt 150 Hp). In addition, there are 4wheel drive versions. In some markets, the new Voyager will also be offered with a 4.0-litre, 6-cylinder gasoline engine. The photos of this information correspond to the American version "Town & Country". The European version could have slight differences in the design and the equipment. “

Technorati: Chrysler+Town+&+Country, Chryler+Voyager, Dodge+Caravan, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, pictures, images, scoop, Detroit+Motor+Show, NAIAS

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/01/embargover-2008-chrysler-town-country.html

Survey: Why don’t Americans prefer domestic brands?

Japanese firms are dangerously closing up the sales gap between them and the domestic car-makers in the US market, but that’s something we all know. We all probably know the main reasons why: poor quality and reliability. Still though it’s very interesting to see what “ticks” American consumers.

And that’s exactly what J.D. Power and Associates did as they conducted an exclusive study for The Detroit News providing answers to as why Americans avoid vehicles built by the former Big Three (General Motors., Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler AG). Check it out by clicking the following link (PDF file): Detnews Survey

Technorati: Detnews, Survey, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/01/survey-why-dont-americans-prefer.html

Mazda MX-5 / Miata cross-dresses as a BMW Z3

Talk about cross-dressing… If you thought the BMW Z4 that was transformed into a BMW Z8 was weird I wonder what you’d say about this guy who took a 1995 Mazda MX-5 / Miata “Decepticoning” it to a BMW Z3! Ha, who needs the Chinese when there’s folks like these! Pics via: e-bay

Technorati: BMW+Z3, Mazda+MX-5, Mazda+Miata, E-bay, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, pictures, images

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/01/mazda-mx-5-miata-cross-dresses-as-bmw.html

2008 Chrysler Town & Country – Dodge Caravan

The first images of the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country (Voyager in Europe) and its Dodge sibling, the Caravan, have leaked on the net today -not that anybody cares that is. There’s no official press release out yet but I guess we’ll have it in our hands later on. Jeez they look boring don’t they…

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/01/2008-chrysler-town-country-dodge.html

Transformers Movie Trailer – Extended Japanese version

I don’t know why but fact is that the boyz over at Japan are getting a few extra scenes of the new Transformer Movie Trailer that came out worldwide a few weeks ago. Not that anybody is interested but they also get the chance to see Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg chanting a few Japanese words. Via:Jalopnik

Technorati: Transformers, Autobots, Decepticons, Optimus+Prime, Chevrolet+Camaro, Bumblebee, Youtube, video, Movie+Trailer, Entertainment, Cinema, Autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/01/transformers-movie-trailer-extended.html

Opel Corsa OPC – Vauxhall Corsa VXR: Official pictures & info

Like we said before, it was a matter of hours before the first pictures of Opel’s brand new Corsa OPC or Vauxhall’s Corsa VXR if you prefer, showed up. Basically, there was a European embargo that ended when the clock struck 12 and the date changed to the 3rd of January. No Cinderella showed up but, that's how the story goes.

To be put against the hottest European mini GTI’s like Renault’s 197 Hp Clio RS and Seat’s 180Hp Ibiza Cupra, the Corsa OPC is Opel’s first serious attempt at the category. It sure has the looks with that super-aggressive bodykit that includes front and side air dams, Gallardo style 18’’ rims, race-style door mirrors and of course, the triangular exhaust placed at the centre of the rear bumper which also features a diffuser. Interior-wise, the OPC gets a Recaro bucket seats and a… Golf GTI inspired flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.

Corsa OPC’s running gear comes from the Meriva OPC. The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine produces 190 Hp (in the Meriva OPC it delivers 180 Hp) and 192lb ft of torque. According to Opel / Vauxhal, the Corsa OPC/ VXR does the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 6,8 sec reaching a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). Thus meaning that on the papers, it’s a tad slower than its Astra OPC bro (0-100 km/h in 6,4 sec) but marginally faster than the Renault Clio RS (0-100 km/h in 6,9 sec).

The OPC also gets a revised suspension with new damper and spring settings and a new ESP system. Its public debut will be made at the Geneva Show in March with sales starting in Europe around April. And no, there are no plans to import it in the US as a Saturn…

UPDATE 3rd January- OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

We just got our hands on the official press release so we would like to make a few corrections. The Corsa OPC 1.6 Turbo engine produces 192Hp (and not 190Hp) while it goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 sec and not 6,8 sec as we wrote before (obviously it needs 6,8 sec for the 0-60 mph). finally, the OPC will be offered in Europe with 215/45 R17 tires ex works while 18'' rims and size 225 tires will be available as an option.

Technorati: Opel+Corsa+OPC, Vauxhall_VXR, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, pictures, images, scoop

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/01/opel-corsa-opc-vauxhall-corsa-vxr.html

They’ll even do your wife: Politically incorrect but nevertheless hysterical car commercial

A bit of racy language and we’re on our way! This car commercial we found on the web gets right to the point. The dealer also holds a special. If you can piss 6 feet in the air and not get wet you get NO DOWN PAYMENTS! And a bit of advice: Leave your wife at home. I wonder if this reverse psychology really works in car sales?!

Technorati: Car+Commercials, Youtube, video, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/01/theyll-even-do-your-wife-politically.html

Happy New Year From Carscoop

2006 was a busy and interesting year for Carscoop. The site began in 2004 as a way for us to channel our car obsessions with out boundaries or rules that often come attached to the world of automotive journalism. It slowly grew from just a hobby to something that has become a daily activity consuming all of our free time. Carscoop found its identity in 2006 as we changed our template design a few times until we found a look that suited our style. This past year efforts paid off as we managed to significantly increase our average monthly site traffic by 8 times.

We reported on many eventful moments this year including the Paris, Beijing and Geneva Motor Shows, broken embargoes and exclusives. But the three most viewed posts on Carscoop, according to our stats, were the “2007 Honda CR-V” with 55.295 visits, “The Electric Powered Mini QED Concept” with 37.862 visits and the “2007 BMW X5” with 36.438 visits.

Finally, we would like to thank fellow bloggers and sites who referred us through out the year (you know who you are). Most importantly, we would like to thank all the readers. You are an encouragement for us to post more, increase our efforts to take Carscoop further and hopefully, at some point, quit our boring under paid daily job.

https://carscoopcar.blogspot.com/2007/01/happy-new-year-from-carscoop.html

Lincoln MKR Concept – Time's up for the official… unveiling

FoMoCo kept its word on the official… unveiling date of the Lincoln MKR concept that’ll make its public debut at the Detroit Show. But enough with the nagging lets go straight to the point. While it’s more than uncertain whether it’ll wriggle its way into production, the MKR expresses Lincoln’s future design strategy and premieres a new engine family called “TwinForce”.

Starting off with its design, Lincoln’s 4door-coupe concept showcases the visual elements that will influence a new generation of Lincoln products. According to Peter Horbury, executive director, Design, The Americas, there are seven key exterior cues, which will define modern Lincolns so take a few minutes to check them out:

Clean, uncluttered surfaces
Powerful, dynamic beltline
Chamfered surface running parallel to the beltline
Distinctive Lincoln bow-wave, double-wing grille opening
Thin, horizontal taillamps that run from one side to the other
Significant C-pillar smoothly transitioning into the cantilevered roof, and
Powerful cantrail/roofrail

Interior-wise, the MKR is simple but elegant looking. Lincoln says that they used environmentally friendly amenities but knowing Horbury’s past work at Volvo, we’d call your attention on the design of the centre console.

Last but not least the MKR’s powerplant. Dubbed TwinForce, it will power production versions of a range of future Ford and Lincoln products. TwinForce uses direct injection technology and turbocharging. Sound familiar? Of course it does, just think VW Group and its TFSI motors.

Specifically, the MKR receives a 3.5 V6 turbocharged engine that delivers 415 Hp and 400 pound-feet of torque. The MKR’s engine also is flex fuel capable, providing the driver with the flexibility to switch back and forth between gasoline and E-85 ethanol. The engine is mated to a 6speed transmission.

Lincoln MKR Concept Specifications

Powertrain
3.5-liter V-6 TwinForce engine
Chassis lengths
Overall length .......................195.7 in.
Wheelbase .............................112.9 in.
Overall width ..........................75.4 in.
Overall height at curb ..............52.7 in.
Track width
Front .......................................63.7 in.
Rear ........................................63.8 in.
Brakes
Brembo power 4-wheel disc with ABS and traction control Suspension
Front ............ MacPherson Struts and rear-facing L-shaped lower control arm and stabilizer bar
Rear .............Independent Rear Suspension
Luggage capacity ..............13.0 cu. ft.