Chrysler Group Rumored to Replace Challenger with Smaller and Lighter SRT Barracuda in 2015

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Even before the SRT brand was formed as a separate entity, then Dodge boss Ralph Gilles was already thinking about how to revive the legendary Plymouth Barracuda.

At the 2010 SEMA show, Gilles had told reporters that “there’s a lot of pressure to bring the ‘Cuda back; the customers have been stomping their feet for it.”

Now, Car & Driver reports that the Barracuda will indeed make a comeback. It says Chrysler Group plans to replace the Challenger in 2015 and join the Viper in SRT’s expanding range.

According to the publication, the new ‘Cuda will bear no resemblance to the model it replaces. That’s because the current Challenger is based on a version of Chrysler’s LX platform, which was “borrowed” from Mercedes-Benz during the Daimler era and also underpinned the Dodge Magnum and Charger and the Chrysler 300.

The platform is deemed too big for a modern Barracuda, which is expected to be more than eight inches shorter than the Challenger and feature a wheelbase reduced by six inches making it similar in size to the Ford Mustang. It is also said to shed up to 350 pounds (160 kg) over the Challenger.

With partner Fiat needing a rear-wheel drive platform for its Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands, it makes sense for the group to develop a more compact RWD architecture that will not feel cumbersome in overseas markets.

While a Hemi V8 will power the flagship version, CAFE requirements dictate the use of smaller engines, too. C&D says that “at least one variant” of the new 2.4-liter “Tigershark” four-cylinder, probably with forced induction, will be offered along with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which will gain direct injection.

Note: The orange Chrysler 'Cuda seen in these pictures is a one-off special based on the current Challenger that was unveiled at the 2007 SEMA Show.

By Andrew Tsaousis

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Chrysler Group Preparing More Than 20 Mopar Concepts for SEMA Show

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There is no other better place in the world for Chrysler's official tuning arm Mopar to display its goods than the automotive aftermarket bonanza that is the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

At this year's event, which runs from October 30 to November 2, the company plans to bring more than 20 new Moparized Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat and SRT vehicles.

“At Mopar, we always look forward to the SEMA season,” commented Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar. “The show is an opportunity for us to inspire owners to customize their vehicles, and it’s the perfect place to showcase our vast portfolio of quality-tested performance parts and accessories.”

To prepare us for the onslaught of tuned projects, Chrysler shared teaser renderings of five cars it will show in Las Vegas.

These include a bloated Fiat / Abarth 500, a racier Dodge Dart sedan, a tuned 2013 RAM 1500, and a re-worked Dodge Charger sports sedan.

More details and pictures of the Mopar concepts are to be released over the next few weeks.

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Mitsubishi Showcases Production Version of New Outlander Plug-in Hybrid in Paris

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Nearly a year after Mitsubishi unveiled the concept car in Japan, the production version of the new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV) has been unwrapped at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The PHEV will first go on sale in Japan early next year, followed shortly after by Europe, North America, and other regions around the world.

Mitsubishi says the new generation of the Outlander was developed from the beginning to be offered with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The system incorporates a 2.0-liter petrol engine up front, a 60kW (80Hp) electric motor, inverter and generator located on the left side of the engine compartment, a 12kWh battery pack stored under the floor within the wheelbase and a rear 60kW (80Hp) electric motor and generator located under the floor.

The Outlander PHEV can be driven in three different modes using various combinations of the petrol engine and electric motors.

In Pure EV mode, the crossover is powered by the front and rear electric motors alone that offer a driving range of 55km (34 miles), while in Series Hybrid mode, the gasoline engine operates as a generator supplying juice to the electric motors. Finally in Parallel Hybrid Mode, the 2.0-liter unit drives the crossover assisted by the electric motors whenever required.

The automaker says the Outlander PHEV will return an estimated combined fuel efficiency in excess of 61 km/liter (equal to 143.5 mpg US, 1.64 lt/100km and 172 mpg UK) on the Japanese driving cycle, with the use of the batteries that can be charged in around 4 hours.

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Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S Bow to World at Paris Auto Show [w/Videos]

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The main attraction at Porsche’s Paris Auto Show stand this year is, of course, the Panamera Sport Turismo concept, but the Stuttgart-based automaker that recently passed into the loving arms of the Volkswagen Group, also had new production models to show in the guise of the four-wheel drive editions of the all-new 911.

Based on the all-new, 991 series, there are coupe and cabriolet versions and in 345HP (350PS) Carrera 4 and 394HP (400PS) Carrera 4S flavors, bringing the total 911 AWD tally to four versions.

Visually, the Carrera 4 differs from the rear-wheel drive 911 in its rear wheel archers, which are wider by 22 mm (0.87-inch) on each side, and the illuminated red horizontal strip between the taillights.

Despite being larger than the outgoing 997, though, it’s up to 65 kg (143 pounds) lighter and as much as 16 percent more frugal.

Like the RWD model, the Carrera 4 sits on an all-new chassis with a 10 cm (3.9-inch) longer wheelbase, and features an electric steering system and a seven-speed manual gearbox.

Traction comes courtesy of the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system, which employs an electronically variable multi-plate clutch that works with the Porsche Stability management (PSM) system to distribute torque between the two axles.

Buyers will be faced with Porsche's long list of acronyms, which depending on the model, are on the standard or options list.

These include the seven-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox, the PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake) ceramic discs, the PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) electronically controlled suspension, PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring) in standard and “Plus” versions, the PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) active anti-roll system and the Sport Chrono package with active engine mounts, to name but a few.

You can view the image gallery, along with videos of Porsche’s stand and factory driver Patrick Long displaying the new all-wheel drive 911’s capabilities during a hill climb right after the break.

By Andrew Tsaousis

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I am exhausted (again, thanks to Hubby) but still....I Remember

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No.  This time he did not physically assault me in his sleep.  Lucky him, since I swore that I would kill him if it happened again.

No.  This time instead of hitting me in his sleep, around 3:00 am he violently jumped out of bed and began making odd noises;  "HE! HE! HE! HE! HE! HE! HE! HE!" and making his way out of the bedroom and down the stairs; where he was headed and what help he was looking for; I just don't know.

Apparently, he couldn't catch his breath and was freaking out.  And me right along with him; all the while yelling, "Should I call 911?!" and him shaking his head and gasping, "NUH! HE! HE! NUH! HE! HE!"  I have since determined that if anything major does happen he will be in a boatload of trouble all because he will never allow me to call 911.

Needless to say, once again I did NOT sleep well for the remainder of the night. *sigh*  I have asked him if he could possibly, just maybe let me get a full night's sleep tonight.  He just sighed like I was asking too much of him.

In the cold light of day, he has determined that he must go on a diet.  He thinks that his weight might have contributed to the problem last night.  Maybe it did.  Maybe it didn't.  Personally, I think he is under a lot of stress and it's coming out in his sleep.  But either way, he does need to lose some weight, if only to help keep his blood pressure under control.

Anyway.....on to the main point of this posting today.....

In the three years I've been on this blog, I've only posted actual words about this date once.  Usually, I just put up a picture with a title like "We Remember" and leave it at that.

That is because although I do remember and I will never forget (despite my poor, poor memory) - I don't have the words to describe what this day makes me feel.  So I back off.  I let those who actually have the skill of using words do it for me.  But today, I felt the urge to try.  Forgive me; because I know my words are but a mere drop in the bucket as to expressing the sheer horror of that day.

Today dawned, as it has (if I recall correctly) for the the majority of the past 11 years, as almost an exact replica of that horrible day.  It was bright and beautiful, you know....the kind of day when you just know it is going to be an awesome, AWESOME day.  A day full of wonderful possibilities.  Not a cloud in the sky.  And once again, I wished for rain.  Yes.  Me.  Wishing for rain.  Something, anything, to change it up.

For some reason, the bright, blue sky seems to bring it all back all the more vividly.  And I'd rather not remember the feelings I was having that day; because it's hard.  And it hurts.  It physically hurts.

But, as you all know, you can't bury your head in the sand and forget what today is...we are surrounded by it.  Every time you turn on the news.  Every time you turn on the radio.  Every time you write a "While You Were Out" message.  Type a letter.  It's there.  And it will continue to be there for those of us that were either affected that day or who can physically remember it.

I remember that I had a small radio at my desk that day.  I'd only been there a few months and had already figured out that I needed an escape until I could find my way into the department I was meant to be in.  Way back then we actually had  the Bob & Sheri Show on the air here.  These days, because some bonehead cancelled the show, I can only listen to the show via podcast, which I've only discovered a few years ago.

That morning, I listened as they told us what was happening live.  I was stunned.  No, I was more than stunned.  I sat listening in disbelief.  This could NOT be happening.  But it was.  Oh dear God, it WAS.

Today, as they have for (I assume) the past eleven years, they ran a tribute which includes much of what was aired that day.  It nearly kills me every time I hear it.  Because I can clearly remember the shock.  The anger.  The utter horror.  The feeling of "why?!"  Why would people hate us so much to cause this kind of devastation?  What have we done to deserve this; what have the innocent children done to deserve this kind of hatred?  And so many more feelings.  I can't even begin to describe the emotions.

And I pulled my little family closer.  I held them tighter.  I loved them, and my friends, even more fiercely.

So as today, a day of remembrance and mourning, comes to a close I continue to pray.  I pray for the people that died.  Those that gave their lives.  I pray for their families.  I pray for the firefighters, the policemen, and the countless others who risked their lives trying to save others.  I pray for a solution.  I pray for us all.  But most of all, I pray that we never forget.  That from the ashes of that day, we learn peace.  And love for our fellow man.  Because, obviously, we need it.

I remember.....

(source)

Dear John.....errr, I mean Blackberry.

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Dear Blackberry -

You know how I love you.  You and I have been together for years.  You were my very first.  You knew that, didn't you?

You showed me the joys of what it means to own a smartphone.  You were so intoxicating; providing email access to all of my accounts, texting, access to the Internet (thus giving me the capability to prove that I was right in whatever argument I might be having at the moment - for that alone, I will always love you), the task list, the memo pad feature.....and Twitter.  Oh, how I love to be able to access Twitter on the phone.  Not to mention that you are so slim and cute and fit perfectly into my back pocket.

And your keyboard?  Oh, how I love that keyboard, with the raised buttons and the fact that it's not too big and not too small.

But now?  Well....you know what, Blackberry?  It's not you.  It's me.  Seriously.  And well, frankly, I'm due for an upgrade.

See, I keep hearing all about these fabulous things called "apps" and from what I can see, you offer very, very few.  And those apps?  Well, they are tempting.  Especially when I hear that a lot of the hot ones, like Words with Friends are free and easy for anyone on a device other than you.  And, you know how much I love word games.  I mean, you were the one that I used every time I needed to complain to the newspaper about not receiving my paper; which we both know I only subscribe to for those fabulous, daily crossword puzzles and the funny pages.

And you know how I love new technology and gadgets and those apps offer so many.

And you know what else?  The screens.  They are so much....well; I'll just say it.  Bigger.  Not there is anything wrong with your screen size.  It's just that with these old eyes, I need something a little easier to read.  I'm sure you understand.

And then there's the whole touch screen thing.  Yes, I admit it, I'm kind of a tactile gal and my fingers are just itching to get at one of those screens.

So here's the deal, Blackberry, I'm leaving you.  Please, please know that in my heart you will always hold a special place.  I mean, you were my first.

Please don't cry.  You are a beautiful phone, with that fabulous raspberry cover.  You WILL find someone else; I promise.  Someone who will appreciate your QWERTY keyboard and your comfortable size.  Before you know it you will find yourself cradled in someone else's palm, or better yet, in their back pocket; and you won't even remember me; I'll be nothing but a distant memory.

You'll see, BB.  You'll see.  This way we will both be so much happier.  I know it.

One last text; just one.  Because tomorrow, I'll be shopping.

I'll love you forever but now?  Now I must say goodbye, for both of our sakes.

Love,
Me