Detroit 2009: Dodge Ram R/T Accessorized

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Trucks/Pickups, Dodge

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Dodge Ram R/T

Stuck among the largely forgettable production vehicles at the Chrysler, LLC display is this Mopar-enhanced Ram R/T. Originally shown at SEMA, B5 Blue (we think) covers its bodywork, which is very close to the ground thanks to a new set of springs and shocks. Kumho-shod, 22-inch forged wheels are stuffed into the cutouts. In front, the Challenger-style hood rocks a set of SRT stripes, the headlamp housings are blacked out, and a new front bumper with chin spoiler threatens to scrape against any obstacle taller than a praying mantis. Out back, a body-colored bed cover thwarts prying eyes, and a pair of fat polished exhaust tips pokes under the rear bumper. Inside, you'll find color-keyed inserts and R/T embroidery on the seats. Overall, this thing looks pretty mean, especially when its surrounded with your garden variety Dakotas and Durangos.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Dodge Ram R/T Accessorized

Photos copyright (C)2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

Detroit 2009: Dodge Ram R/T Accessorized originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 |  | 

Related posts:

• 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid Gets A Facelift, Still Requires Beergoggles To Be Hot
• The Caterham Super 7: don’t call it a kit car
• Mercedes CLK63 AMG: Back in Black
• 2009 Porsche Cayman Shows Off New PDK Dual-Clutch Gearbox [2009 Porsche Cayman]
• 2010 Ford Mustang: Design, Dissected [2010 Ford Mustang]

Related posts:

• Frida Full Length Download
• 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 selling on eBay with a premium
• Smart Car Crosses Canada on 89 Gallons of Fuel
• Welcome to Down On The Street , where we admire old vehicles found parked ...
• 1,000 2008 Challenger SRT8s are built and shipped

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S: A Speedier, Sportier Four-Door [Detroit Auto Show]

This is the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S, the newest member of the Quattroporte lineup. The trident-emblemed brand plans to officially unveil it at next month's Detroit Auto Show. What should we expect?

The Maserati Quattroporte set the bar for performance 4-doors back in 2004 and has been updated with a new Sport GTS line just in time to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Maserati's first Indianapolis 500 win. A remapped version of the Maserati GranTurismo S 4.7-liter V8 engine now produces a stout 433 HP along with a new transmission management software that should help move this 4-door executive sedan to 60 in less than 5.5 seconds. The front and rear suspension features single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and a lower ride height than the standard S model. A new sport exhaust features pneumatic valves to let you know this Maser isn’t anything like your daddy’s Mercedes.

Visually, the new Quattroporte Sport GTS features a more sporty and aggressive black grill with vertical concave fins featuring the Maserati Trident logo with red accents. The headlights are similar, but now feature a dark metallic titanium finish. The interior features new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara on the center section – perfect for those high-speed trips to the office.

The executive Maserati has not disappointed in the past and we look forward to taking this beast on a quick jaunt around the block. We’ll bring you live shots of the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS from the Detroit Auto Show next month, until then, check out the shots below.

Maserati Press Release
Modena – December 22nd, 2008 - The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S sets yet another milestone in terms of sportiness in the high performance luxury sedan segment of the automotive market . Conceived and developed as “a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury sedan ”, the Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s sportiness in the Quattroporte range.

The technical changes to the new Quattroporte Sport GT S in respect to the Quattroporte S concern four areas:
• the mapping of the V8 4.7 liter engine, with power increased to 323kW (433 HP);
• the gearshift management software, with new features designed to increase driving enjoyment;
• the front and rear suspension system featuring single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and lower ride height;
• the sports exhaust controlled by pneumatic valves for a deep, throaty and captivating sound.

The sportier and more aggressive look is evident also by virtue of the interior and exterior stylistic choices:
• the new black grill with concave vertical fins featuring the Trident logo with red accents, typical of the sportier versions of Maserati models;
• the new headlights, in metallic titanium finish;
• the side and rear “shadow line”, which includes black finishing around the doors, body-colored door handles and black twin oval exhaust pipes,
• the new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara® and leather upholstery;
• the standard trim in Titantex, a “titanium colored” composite material.

Related posts:

• Ford’s Active Parking Assist: Why Bother?
• Speculative Details Surrounding Toyota-Subaru Sports Car Emerge [Over The Back Fence]
• Geneva 2009 Preview: Rinspeed iChange
• The Artega GT is Open for Business for 2008
• 2010 Ford Mustang: Design, Dissected [2010 Ford Mustang]

Related posts:

• Big 3 Performance brings another Mustang Model to the Big Pony Party
• The eBay find of the week is a Fire Breathing 1927 Dodge Custom
• 50 Cent Unique Special Edition Pontiac G8
• Piaggio builds the Pope a rickshaw
• Dodge Magnum Car Profile

Buick to invest in LaCrosse, let Lucerne dodder toward oblivion

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, GM

Click above for a high-res gallery of 2010 LaCrosse spy shots

Small(er) is the new big as far as Buick's concerned. With the precipitous sales falloff of full-sized cars, Buick's putting its chips on the mid-sized 2010 LaCrosse, which will go on sale in the U.S. and in China. That leaves the full-size Lucerne in terminal orbit; built on GM's G Platform, Buick has no plans to redesign it, and no plans to replace it with the Park Avenue, which goes straight from its Holden assembly line in Australia to a port in China.

The LaCrosse will aim at the U.S. premium mid-size buyers and be the first domestic entrant on GM's new global mid-size platform. While it can fit both four- and six-cylinder engines, the pick of the litter will probably be the all-new 3.0-liter direct-injection V6. To give it a serious chance as an import fighter, the LaCrosse will also receive features like a heads-up display and all-wheel-drive. We'll be bringing you the full story on the car that will be Buick's spearhead from next month's Detroit Auto Show, so stay tuned.

Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse - spy shots II

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Buick to invest in LaCrosse, let Lucerne dodder toward oblivion originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read |  |  | 

Related posts:

• It was an amicable and mutual decision for Tiger Woods and General Motors ...
• Is the best car America produces headed for the scrap heap?
• VW Golf GTI: The Rabbit reviewed

Related posts:

• GM Letting Dealers Add More Cash Back This Holiday Season
• GM to Stop Making Minivans
• GM, Tiger Woods Limp Away From Endorsement Deal [Carpocalypse Now]
• 2009 Chevy Traverse Spy Photos...Chevy's Version of the Acadia & Outlook CUVs
• Will Young People Ever Buy a Buick?

Honda <i>will</i> be in Detroit, sans press conference

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Honda

The latest sign that the 2009 Detroit Auto Show could quite possibly suck is Honda's decision not to throw any press conferences. The Japanese automaker still plans to unveil the production Insight hybrid, but will do so by simply adding its Prius-killer to the show floor with the rest of its line-up.

The move comes one day after Nissan and Infiniti pulled out of Detroit all-together, which followed dropouts by Porsche, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Ferrari, Land Rover and Rolls-Royce. Honda doesn't want to spend big bucks on live introductions with special effects and big-time travel budgets when the U.S. auto market is in the crapper. The Japanese brand won't roll out any press conferences in Chicago, either. If Detroit is going to be slow, Chicago is shaping up to be a ghost town.

The question now is, who's next? The Detroit Auto Show has traditionally been the event where our Domestics bring out the big guns. With all the negative attention surrounding the financial woes of Detroit automakers, we're beginning to wonder it they too will drop the glitz and glitter. If they're getting grilled for taking a private jet to Washington, imagine the field day that would be had over big money productions that only benefit journalists.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Honda will be in Detroit, sans press conference originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read |  |  | 

Related posts:

• The VW Passat R36 is outstanding by a deeper front bumper, bi-xenon headlights, ...
• Alley Baggett: Comic Book Hottie
• In honor of Bermuda Day, a few shorts
• What’s the best movie ever about cars?
• Mitsubishi Concept CX Photo Leaked

Related posts:

• General Motors to support CAFE
• Banks To Drag 200+ MPH Diesel Dragster To SEMA [Sema]
• YouTube and Villeneuve rumored on board as USF1 gears up for October launch
• Four-Links – Gardners galore, Bel Geddes flying car, Fourth of July snowmobiles, Aussie tractor trek
• Top Gear 13×04 Out Now