For More Info on Cars check out www.therideshowtv.com :At the 2009 New York International Auto Show, GMC debuted two new models – the all-new 2010 GMC Terrain and the 2009 Yukon Denali Hybrid. Needing to reduce brands and models to compete, General Motors has combined three of its most recognized brands; Buick, Pontiac and GMC into one sales and marketing channel – which means many dealers, who had one or two of the brands previously, will now sell all three under one roof. GM says each brand will play to its strengths – Buick larger, premium cars; Pontiac sportier cars; and GMC
For all your car info check out www.therideshowtv.com. Kia Motors America globally debuted the 2010 Forte Koup (to be known as ‘Cerato Koup’ in some countries) production vehicle at the 2009 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). Joining the Forte family in the Kia lineup, the company’s first-ever two-door coupe embodies the brand’s current bold design direction first seen on the concept version of the Soul urban passenger vehicle in 2006. Available material includes still images of the Forte Koup. Press Conference…
The new, fourth generation of Land Rover’s supremely versatile seven-seat vehicle gains a new name – LR4 – The class-leading breadth of capability is extended even further with dynamic improvements for both road and off-road driving, and Land Rover has added a battery of user-friendly new technologies and features
The Volkswagen Golf was honored as the 2009 World Car of the Year. A jury comprised of fifty-nine international automotive journalists from twenty-five countries around the world chose this year’s World Car of the Year, which was announced this morning at a news conference during the New York International Auto Show.
New dog transportation features turn Element into the alpha dog of pet travel
TORRANCE, Calif., Apr. 8, 2009 – New dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element add canine-specific enhancements to one of the most dog-friendly vehicles available, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today at the New York International Auto Show.
Developed specifically for the Element, the Dog Friendly™ components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this fall. Major components will likely include:
a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
a spill-resistant water bowl; and
Dog Friendly exterior emblems.
“In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components are intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car.”
The Dog Friendly equipment, engineered specifically for the Element, is designed to accommodate the transportation of dogs in the second-row passenger seats or in the cargo area. The restraint system concepts were designed and fabricated by Takata Corporation, one of the world’s leading automotive safety systems suppliers, exclusively for display on the Dog Friendly Honda Element concept vehicle. The restraint concepts are intended to complement the potential of the vehicle’s existing restraint systems by helping to protect the dog and helping to prevent injuries to other vehicle occupants due to an unrestrained dog impacting them in a collision. For convenience, a ramp is included to help dogs access the rear cargo area. The ramp stores underneath the bed platform and can be conveniently accessed when the rear tailgate is down.
“In-vehicle pet restraints should be part of every dog owner’s safe travel practices,” said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “The expanded availability of manufacturer-based restraints and features can help elevate pet comfort and convenience for owners. Good ventilation and access to water on longer trips should also be primary concerns.”
The Element has long been recognized for its dog-friendly interior with an easy-to-clean urethane floor and expansive, flat cargo area (up to 74.6 cu-ft. with rear seats removed), wide-opening side cargo doors, low lift-in height, and accommodating dimensions for tall items. The consumer pet travel advice Web site, Dogcars.com, honored the 2007 Honda Element with its first-ever “Dog Car of the Year” award.
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., 39 percent of all households own at least one dog with an estimated total U.S. dog population of 74.8 million. All pet purchases and related products and services comprise an estimated total market value of more than $43 billion (2008 est.).
Substantially restyled for the 2009 model year and available with new features, the Honda Element builds on its spacious and versatile SUV character with a more chiseled exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design. Three unique Element styles are available that range from the rugged and simple Element LX, to the more refined Element EX, to the sporty Element SC.
Powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine, the Element is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission (standard) or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Available Real Time 4WD™ can enhance all-weather traction. The interior provides seating for up to four people along with a cargo area that adapts to large items with its flip-up rear seats that fold flat, fold up and to the side, or can be removed altogether (64-plus seating arrangements). The Element EX has a water resistant urethane-coated utility floor that wipes down for ease-of-cleaning and seat fabric that resists moisture.
For 2009, all Elements incorporate significant exterior styling changes that include new front grille and bumper designs, restyled front fenders (now metal, previously composite material), a new hood design, squared wheel arches, and new headlight and taillight configurations. Interior enhancements include revised dashboard color combinations with titanium-look side linings, new fabric patterns, and enhanced switchgear designs and instrument panel meter graphics. The Element EX exclusively adds a new convertible center console with a removable cooler/storage box.
About Honda
The Element is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant using domestic and globally sourced parts. Honda is the world’s largest engine maker, producing a vast array of products, including automobiles, motorcycles, power equipment and jet aircraft – all designed to advance mobility and improve the lives of people through continued innovations in technology and design. For more on Honda visit www.honda.com. Honda’s online multimedia newsroom: www.hondanews.com.
About The Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal-protection organization – backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, the HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty – On the Web at www.humanesociety.org.
Land Rover will unveil three new vehicles for the 2010 model year during the New York International Auto Show (April 10-19) on April 8 at 1030 EDT. The three models are the Discovery 4/LR4, the 2010 Range Rover and 2010 Range Rover Sport. Available video includes driving footage as well as exterior and interior views of the three models.
With six-cylinder fuel efficiency delivering 25 highway mpg and an adaptive five-speed automatic with Auto Stick—new Challenger SE Rallye builds on the excitement of the new Challenger R/T Classic
- Dodge Challenger SE Rallye features unique design cues including dual body stripes, chromed ‘FUEL’ door, deck lid spoiler, 18-inch aluminum wheels with black pockets and Micro Carbon interior accents
- Fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V-6 now features a responsive five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick
- Best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room provides spacious rear seat for up to three adults
- Best-in-class trunk space (16.2 cu. ft.) equal to the Dodge Charger
Auburn Hills, Mich. , Mar 30, 2009 -
The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger delivers the best of modern American muscle-car characteristics—unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye adds even more pony car excitement with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission and bold accented exterior enhancements. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye starts at $26,490 (including $725 destination) and is available for ordering now at Dodge dealerships nationwide.
“Featuring the transmission from our HEMI-powered Challenger models, the new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye earns its stripes with a five-speed automatic delivering an exhilarating driving experience and 25 miles per gallon fuel-efficiency,” said Mike Accavitti, Director—Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Brands, Chrysler LLC. “And with eye-grabbing details including 18-inch wheels with black painted pockets, deck lid spoiler, and heritage-inspired chromed ‘FUEL’ filler door—Dodge Challenger SE shows off its pony car bloodlines.”
Dodge Challenger SE Rallye is a unique breed and offers more than head-turning good looks. With its throw-back hood and deck lid dual stripes with accent color outer stripes, chromed ‘FUEL’ filler door, 18-inch rallye wheels with all-season performance tires, body-color deck lid spoiler and Micro Carbon interior accents—the new Challenger SE Rallye builds on the Dodge DNA.
The all-new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye is the first six-cylinder Challenger model to offer accented dual stripes, and the first Challenger model to offer deck lid stripes. With seven exterior paint colors and two-color stripe combinations, Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers even more muscle-car excitement to the Challenger lineup.
Exterior paint colors and dual-stripe combinations on the Dodge Challenger SE Rallye include:
• Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl — with Dark Gray dual stripes and Red accent stripes
• Bright Silver Metallic — with Dark Gray dual stripes and Red accent stripes
• Deep Water Blue Metallic — with White dual stripes and Red accent stripes
• Inferno Red Crystal Pearl — with Black and Dark Gray accent stripes
• TorRed — with Black dual stripes and Dark Gray accent stripes
• Dark Titanium Metallic — with Black dual stripes and Red accent stripes
• Stone White — with Black dual stripes and Red accent stripes
The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye model features an aluminum block 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivering 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. With 250 horsepower (186 kW) and 250 lb.-ft. of torque (339 N•m), this 24-valve engine delivers efficiency and performance.
The all-new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye marks the introduction of the five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick for all Dodge Challenger SE models. With more responsiveness than the previous four-speed transmission, and an aggressive first-gear ratio, the five-speed automatic transmission provides outstanding launch performance and smoothness at any speed.
On the interior, the trapezoidal theme of the door-panel cove and gauge cluster, dark headliner and slanted shifter console are inspired by the original Dodge Challenger. Inspiration from the past continues with a “four bomb” gauge cluster with deep easy-to-read white faces. Premium cloth bucket seats are well bolstered. For a more comforting and luxurious feel, heated leather seats finished with French-seamed stitching are available. The advanced uconnect gps with voice recognition, navigation with real-time traffic and Universal Customer Interface (UCI) for iPod connectivity is available on the Dodge Challenger SE Rallye.
The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers exceptional rear seating for a two-door coupe, achieving best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room compared with the competition. Coupled with best-in-class cargo space (16.2 cu. ft.)—equal to the Dodge Charger—the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers comfort and functionality.
2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye Production
Production of the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye will start in April of 2009 at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. It will be built on the same assembly line as the award-winning and quality-proven Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.
All-new 2009 Dodge Challenger
The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger merges the best American muscle-car characteristics—unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology—to delight driving enthusiasts across several generations. The Dodge Challenger accommodates five passengers in a two-door coupe produced from the company’s proven rear-wheel-drive platform. With three models of head-turning styling, two legendary HEMI® V-8 engines choices, more than 25 safety and security features and modern amenities including uconnect gps with voice-activated navigation system and real-time traffic available—the 2009 Dodge Challenger delivers the brand’s “bold, powerful and capable” credo.
Dodge Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Dodge brand continues to offer a full line of cars, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and sales-leading, fifth-generation minivans in 2009. This year, Dodge will add to the award-winning Ram lineup with the introduction of the all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty and 3500 Chassis Cab.
Dodge introduced several new vehicles in 2008, including the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Challenger and the 2009 Dodge Ram. Dodge also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in minivan value with more than 40 new or improved features from the previous generation, including unsurpassed 17 city / 25 highway mpg fuel economy. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan is also the first minivan in the segment to feature the all-new Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path advance safety systems.
Also in 2008, the Dodge Journey entered key volume markets outside North America, joining the Dodge Avenger, Nitro and Caliber. Dodge Caliber was the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside North America in 2008
