Mazda's New Small Crossover Will Come to the U.S. Next Year

 

Mazda will enter the growing compact crossover segment early next year when its CX-5 debuts in the United States.

At 178.7 inches long, the CX-5 is more than five inches shorter than Mazda's CX-7 crossover. The 106.3-inch wheelbase is two inches shorter than the CX-7.

The CX-5, which a source said will be available with a diesel engine for the 2014 model year, will compete with such vehicles as the Honda CR-V, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

Mazda has yet to announce pricing and packaging for the U.S. market, but Hideaki Tanaka, manager of the CX-5 program, said the base model will likely sticker for around $20,000. The CX-7 starts at $22,785 including delivery.

Mazda allowed a group of journalists to drive pre-production, European-spec prototypes at a press preview this week. Final specifications for the U.S. market won't be released until the CX-5's North American debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November.[Continue reading...]

Chrysler Group: Under the Pentastar

AutoPacific Names Chrysler Most Ideal Brand for 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards

The Chrysler brand has been named the Most Ideal Popular Brand in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards based on owners' ratings of their 2011 cars and trucks.

Additionally, three Chrysler Group vehicles, Dodge Challenger, Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Town & Country, were named Most Ideal Sports Car, Most Ideal Mid-size SUV and Most Ideal Minivan in their respective classes. 

“It’s an honor for the Chrysler brand to be recognized by AutoPacific,” said Olivier Francois, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Brand. “Recognition by the customers who buy and evaluate our vehicles proves we take consumer input very seriously in all the vehicles we design and build at Chrysler.” 

The Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on owner ratings of 15 key attributes of their 2011 vehicles. Measures evaluated by customers include power and acceleration, ride and handling, interior roominess and cargo space. More than 72,000 vehicle owners were surveyed by AutoPacific and were asked if they would change characteristics of their vehicles. 

Cars and trucks with the least amount of changes are recognized as most ideal.

“Ideal Vehicle Award winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles,” said George Peterson, President of AutoPacific. “Shoppers can use the Ideal Vehicle Awards as a benchmark for vehicles that are designed and built with customers in mind.” [ Continue reading article..]

Mazdaspeed3: A Sound Choice For Choice Sound

 

It’s no surprise that one of the country’s hottest hatchbacks has once again been recognized for boasting the kind of performance usually found only in vehicles that cost twice as much—or more. But the twist this time around is that the honor isn’t for what the Mazdaspeed3 can do at the test track, it’s for what the iconic Mazda can do with its music tracks: Popular Mechanics recently rated the Mazdaspeed3 as one of the “Top 10 Cars for Audiophiles,” along with vehicles like the Porsche Panamera, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz CLS550 and Audi A8.
Writing about the car’s available Bose Audio sound system, Popular Mechanics’ James Tate said that it “delivers crisp, balanced sound and a surprising thump from the subwoofer cleverly mounted inside the spare tire. It’s a great, traditional audio setup in a lively car that’s already famous for its bang-for-the-buck dominance.” [Continue Reading]

New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler: A New Heart, the Same Soul

Jeep® Wrangler – the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world – becomes even more capable both on- and off-road for 2012, courtesy of an all-new, more fuel efficient and more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and a new five-speed automatic transmission – both of which it shares with the award-winning Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and five-speed automatic transmission dramatically enhance Wrangler’s on-road driving performance – delivering up to 21 miles per gallon, 40 percent more power and 10 percent more torque – while also taking the vehicle’s legendary off-road capability
to a new level.

“Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and iconic vehicle in the world – has a new heart but retains the same soul for 2012,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our new 3.6-liter V-6 engine gives the ever-capable Wrangler a completely new, more refined on-road driving experience – complete with more fuel efficiency, power and torque.

“Available in 2-door and 4-door models and boasting an untouchable combination of efficient design, open-air freedom, significant towing capability, improved real-world drivability, and unique 4x4 systems that deliver unmatched off-road prowess, Jeep Wrangler once again resets the benchmark and offers consumers the ultimate vehicle for any driving adventure,” Manley added.

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