Sunday, 20 April 2014

2015 Dodge Charger Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos ...

2015 Dodge Charger Review, Ratings, Specs, <b>Prices</b>, and Photos <b>...</b>

2015 Dodge Charger Review, Ratings, Specs, <b>Prices</b>, and Photos <b>...</b>

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 08:30 PM PDT

The 2015 Dodge Charger retains its name and basic body shape, but you might never know it from the striking redesign that makes up the bulk of the second updating of a car first launched for 2005. The new Charger has a completely revised front end that changes its looks to make it look lower, sleeker, and far more modern than the bluff-fronted muscle sedan it's been to date. Add in an updated interior, revised powertrains, and new safety equipment, and the big rear-wheel-drive family sedan may find a whole new set of fans as it enters its second decade.

The exterior redesign touched every body panel except the roof and the rear doors. Basically, the stylists and body engineers "took a chainsaw to all four corners of the car" to reduce the visual bulk of its square-cut front and rear, according to Dodge's design team. The result is a 2015 Charger that's the same length as before, but looks 8 to 10 inches more compact--more like a mid-size car with significant presence than the full-size sedan it actually is.The front is lower, with an almost BMW-like bevel at the front edge of the redesigned hood, and the slimmer blacked-out Dodge crosshair grille is bracketed by projector headlights outlined with distinctive C-shaped LED daytime running lights. Separate LED light units are built into a revised front bumper, and the center of the bumper bar is blacked out on R/T models, just as it is on higher-performance models of the smaller Dodge Dart.

The side profile, including a Coke-bottle rear fender swell, a high beltline, and hard-edged roof pillars, has remained the same, but now the rear is smoother and less angular, with more wraparound to the rear lights. The "LED racetrack" outlining the rear lights is retained, but Dodge has cut the number of LEDs by more than half using light pipes to give a continuous red outline to the tail panel. The rear bumper is smoother and exhaust inlets are now integrated into the lower panel. On the trunk lid, the raised spoiler has been replaced by a smaller lip spoiler that provides the same downforce in a cleaner, more integrated look.

Overall, the 2015 Charger retains its commanding shape, but in a smoother and more refined way. It looks like a car that will slip powerfully through the air rather than batter it aside through brute force. The retro detailing has given way to a more integrated appearance tying it to the rest of the modern Dodge family, making it less flamboyant--but still both practical and capable of muscle-car behavior.

Inside, you pay for pay for that high beltline with outward visibility that's more limited than in other sedans. Still, the upright styling is unchanged--despite the sleeker front and rear ends--and it gives plenty of headroom all around. The wide front seats are well bolstered, and the big doors make getting in and out easy. The rear-seat legroom is a little tight for long-legged tall people, but complainers can be silenced by reminding them that it meets police-car standards. Dodge has added a 7-inch thin-film TFT screen to the center of the instrument cluster, while the center stack includes a touchscreen up to 8.4-inches across, used for  3-D navigation and downloadable apps.

For 2015, all Chargers are now offered with the eight-speed automatic transmission formerly confined to the less powerful V-6 models. The base engine for the SE model is a 292-horsepower Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 producing 260 lb-tt of torque, and it's the fuel economy champ. EPA ratings won't come for several months, but Dodge promises 31 mpg on the highway test cycle. The more powerful SXT model with the Rallye Appearance Group (made up of a cold-air intake, some engine-control software tweaks, and a new exhaust system) boosts those numbers to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. Either V-6 model comes standard with rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is optional. Then there's the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, rated at 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, only offered in rear-wheel drive form. Details on the higher-performance 2015 Charger SRT with an even more powerful 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 will be released at a later date.

The Dodge Charger handles well for a big sedan, with little body roll in any of its versions. The 2015 version uses electric power steering fitted as standard with three different feedback modes: Normal, Comfort, and Speed. The suspension has been retuned, with cast aluminum axles lighter than the steel ones they replace, and a sport mode that makes throttle mapping more aggressive and speeds shifting, cutting gear change time from 400 milliseconds to just 250.

Previous models of the Charger earned the highest five-star overall score in NHTSA safety testing, and it's been an IIHS Top Safety Pick in years past. A rearview camera system, active cruise control, and blind-spot monitors are available in addition to all the expected standard items.

Even the base Charger SE trim level includes power windows, locks, and mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; pushbutton start; a power driver's seat; and an AM/FM/CD audio system with touchscreen control. The SXT level adds a number of additional features, and for 2015, six new 20-inch alloy wheel designs are available, including a 20x9 inch forged aluminium wheel option. Dodge has also upgraded the paint colors, adding a set of 'heritage' color options, including B5 Blue and TorRed. The revised Charger also adds several new technical features, including the latest version of Uconnect services, which incorporate 9-1-1 and assist call, roadside assistance calling options, theft alert, voice texting and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Production of the 2015 Dodge Charger is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014, with deliveries soon after.

2015 Dodge Challenger Review, Ratings, Specs, <b>Prices</b>, and Photos

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 04:31 PM PDT

The 2015 Dodge Challenger is the first truly major update of the muscle car since it was launched as a 2007 model. It's been a long time coming, but with carefully refined exterior styling, new powertrains, upgraded suspension, and an all-new--and far more pleasant--interior, the Challenger stays up to date in the face of competition from not only the Chevy Camaro but an all-new Ford Mustang this year.

The Challenger has always been the largest and blockiest of the muscle cars, giving it substantial road presence. Looked at through a different lens, the Challenger has been slightly more of a touring coupe--large and comfortable, with a supple ride on long trips. Now that persona is joined by an array of even more powerful, rip-up-the-track models at the top end, for Challenger buyers who want to keep pace with the most powerful vehicles in the competition's lineups.

The revised exterior styling adopts cues from the classic 1971 Challenger, including a new split grille in a slimmer front opening with projector headlamps surrounded by LED halos, a pronounced and fully functional "power bulge" hood, and LED tail lamps in a glossy piano black surround. The basic shape remains unchanged, with a long nose, flat hood and deck lid, thick Seventies-inspired roof pillars and a pronounced kickup in the waistline. It keeps the Challenger more faithful to its decades-old ancestors than either the Camaro or Mustang, which have evolved with the ages.

Inside, the 2015 Challenger's interior has been completely revamped. The sweeping surfaces of hard black plastic are gone, replaced by a modern dash with soft-touch surfaces and a fully modern instrument cluster with a fully customizable 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) center display screen. The available 8.4-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash includes the UConnect Access system, with apps and navigation as well as the usual audio functions.

The center console has a higher edge on the passenger side, inspired by the 1971 Challenger, and the dash, instruments, and console has aluminum accents. Among the 14 options for interior color and trim is a classic Houndstooth premium cloth that Dodge actually calls a "throwback" to the 1970s, and premium leather and Alcantara suede high-performance seats.

Its slightly larger size pays dividends inside: The Challenger is the only one of the three muscle coupes to offer seating for five. Access to the back seat will entail some contortion, and only two adults will really fit back there, but it's doable. At 16 cubic feet, the trunk is also larger than those of even some mid-size sedans on the market.

The standard powertrain on the 2015 Challenger is a 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6. Then there's the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, which will be rated at up to 375 hp and 410 lb-ft or torque. Finally, there's a new 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 that Dodge estimates at 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. All three engines can be mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, the only one offered on any of the three U.S. muscle cars, with a Sport Mode and paddle shifters as well as visual and tactile feedback on the electronically-actuated shift lever. A six-speed manual gearbox remains available as well. Like all three of its competitors this year, the Challenger remains a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with independent rear suspensions.

The new and larger Hemi is expected to deliver 0-to-60-mph acceleration times in the mid-4 second range with the automatic, and quarter-miles in the low 12-second range. Dodge has also added a new launch-control function, and electronic stability control with three modes, including a fully-off position.

Gas mileage has never been a strong point for the large and heavy Challenger, especially in V-8 form, but the eight-speed automatic will help on that front. EPA ratings haven't yet been issued, but Dodge says figures will improve across the board--although gas mileage also isn't of major importance to Challenger buyers.

Suspension changes across the board include a Super Track Pak available on all Challenger models, uprated suspension, and new electric power steering with three modes: Normal, Comfort, and Sport. A fully track-ready 6.4-liter Scat Pack model includes not only the 6.4-liter Hemi but also 20-inch aluminum wheels, Brembo disc brakes, and the 392 Scat Pack Shaker model adds a functional Shaker hood inlet scoop.

While earlier Challenger models weren't rated for safety by either of the U.S. agencies, it includes a good array of safety equipment, including knee airbags. For 2015, Dodge has upgraded and increased the standard and available safety equipment on the 2015 Challenger. Among the available features are a backup camera, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-patch detection, forward-collision warning, and UConnect access with 911 and Assist calling.

Eight separate trim levels will be offered on the 2015 Challenger: SXT, SXT Plus, R/T, R/T Plus, R/T Shaker, R/T Plus Shaker, 6.4-liter Scat Pack and 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker. Customization options mean no two Challengers need be identical, with fourteen different interiors, nine wheel options, and a range of new paint colors, including retro shades like Sublime Green and B5 Blue.

Production is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2014. Pricing won't be released until closer to the sale date, but the very highest-end models will likely approach $60,000--taking them into some rarified territory. On the other hand, Challenger sales have increased steadily throughout its life, so there's clearly a market for a retro muscle car. And now it's got an all-new retro-inspired interior with all the modern conveniences to go with the mix of yesterday's styling and today's performance.

Black Book Sees Used <b>Car Prices</b> Drop Coming for Five Popular <b>...</b>

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 07:27 PM PDT

Black Book Sees Used Car Price Drop Coming for Five Popular Segments |

used-cars

Heavy storms in Jan­u­ary and Feb­ru­ary had a big impact on pent-up demand and used car prices blos­som­ing in March, as the NADA Used Car Guide and ADESA Ana­lyt­i­cal Ser­vices' reports demon­strate this week. Sea­sonal pat­terns always carry their weight, and Black Book is expect­ing to see some notable per­for­mance trends, accord­ing to Ricky Beggs, Edi­to­r­ial Direc­tor at Black Book. That has a lot to do with the his­toric tax-buying sea­son for used vehi­cles as lots of shop­pers use tax rebates on used car purchases.

When you review the chart cre­ated by Black Book, you'll see how five pop­u­lar car seg­ments are expected to per­form in May-July 2013 reten­tion. They've been show­ing strong reten­tion lately (four out of five of them had price increases in March), but should have above-average depre­ci­a­tion in the short-term future. Mak­ing this list were Entry Mid-Size Car, Full-Size Car, Full-Size Crossover, Upper Mid-Size Car, and Com­pact Car.

Cars have taken the biggest hit – rep­re­sent­ing four out of five of the top lead­ing seg­ments in depre­ci­a­tion. Black Book has been care­fully watch­ing how gaso­line prices have been affect­ing cars – while they're higher than usual lately, the gas pump price increase is typ­i­cal for the sea­son and is prob­a­bly not enough of an increase to strengthen used car seg­ment prices.

The biggest hit among these five pop­u­lar cat­e­gories should be taken by Entry Mid-Size Cars, which have an expected loss of 5.9% in May-July 2013 reten­tion. Its April 2014 mar­ket value of $10,741 is expected to reduce down to $10,107 by July.

2014 Automotive Information Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

2015 Hyundai Sonata Review, Ratings, Specs, <b>Prices</b>, and Photos <b>...</b>

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 08:04 AM PDT

The outgoing generation of the Hyundai Sonata has been a bold move—a bold move that has paid off, on the merits of a particularly daring yet practical design, strong yet efficient engines, and good value all around. The Sonata has been one of the keys to the brand's surge in popularity and sales in the American market; and now the 2015 Sonata gets a full redesign that subs in 'dignified' for 'dramatic' design-wise while at last delivering on the refinement and technology that the last generation promised.

The 2015 Sonata features a classier and more sophisticated (while also more conservative) take on that current design—one that might very well age more gracefully than the innovative 2011-2014 Sonata. Achieved by adopting the automaker's new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language first seen on the 2015 Genesis, the new look dresses up the curves with a little more formality. The new car is just a smidge longer and wider, which boosts interior space, but overall what it adds up to, essentially, is a more subtle, nuanced look to the car as a whole. Changes are subtle but add up to a suit that looks more tailored, less modern. A new rear lip spoiler with chrome surround, as well as a dual exhaust with bright tips brings the Sonata in line with the mid-size-sedan mainstream, as do standard LED daytime running lamps.

The Sonata Sport is the visual standout of the lineup, with its new front-end appearance (Hyundai points to a grille and bumper it terms more aggressive), with side rocker extensions and added chrome body-side molding. Sport 2.0T models get an additional rear bumper fascia and quad exhaust tips, with showy 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the 2015 Sonata looks a little more formal as well, with controls now compartmentalized into horizontal arrays and angled slightly toward the driver; it's a bit more like the design used in the closely related Kia Optima. The steering wheel now has a sportier design, and the column itself has been redesigned.

Power ratings actually go down a bit for both of Hyundai's engines in the 2015 Sonata, versus last year's model, but the automaker says that the different tuning should result in better responsiveness at low and mid revs. The base 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine now makes 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.0T version has a smaller-turbine turbocharger and makes 245 hp and 260 lb-ft. In either case, you get a six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual controls, in this front-wheel-drive sedan.

Underpinning the car is a modified version of the front-wheel-drive platform of the previous Sonata. But the changes to the 2015 Sonata don't just add up to a reskin; Hyundai has reinforced sub-frame mounting points and added stiffer sub-frame bushings, while the Sonata's rear suspension gets a new geometry, with dual lower arms replacing single ones (helping maintain composure under strong braking). Otherwise, the suspension has been tuned for a sportier drive (testing even took place at Germany's Nürburgring) and structural rigidity improved. Torsional strength is up 41 percent.

Quieting the cabin has been a focus, according to Hyundai, and engineers have placed more sound deadening at the firewall and beneath the dash, as well as under the floor—to help seal out road noise.

New technologies lifted from the 2015 Genesis include blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and active cruise control. There's also a new Lane Change Assist system that places warning lamps in the side mirrors to warn of approaching vehicles. The Sonata otherwise includes seven airbags, now including a driver's knee bag. In recent model years, the Sonata has earned a federal five-star Overall Rating as well as top 'good' IIHS results.

Don't expect Hyundai to budge much on features, with the new version packing in plenty of features at an impressive price point. Sunshades are still a segment exclusive, and a smart trunk feature allows the owner to approach the vehicle with the key fob in a pocket; once they stand in a particular area for three seconds, the trunk will open.

Infotainment systems have been upgraded in the 2015 Sonata, which includes voice-command Bluetooth features, satellite radio connectivity, and iPod/USB connectivity at all trim levels. On offer on higher trims is a navigation system with larger eight-inch screen, apps compatibility for Pandora and SoundHound, and HD radio; and that system now includes improved touch sensitivity, a split-screen view, Sirius XM Travel Link services, and the ability to record up to 22 minutes of satellite radio.

Those models with navigation also have Apple Eyes Free Siri integration—allowing an enhanced level of tasks. High-end 400-watt Infinity audio is also available. Next-generation Blue Link services also arrive in the 2015 Sonata and include such things as Remote Start, Destination Search (powered by Google), and a car-care in-vehicle app.

The all-new 2015 Hyundai Sonata will go on sale early this summer; check back here for a full review and driving impressions ahead of its arrival.
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