Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #315

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Convertible, CES, Cadillac, Chrysler, GM, Mazda

Cost of high-efficiency models, 2014 Mazda6, Best and Worst Sellers of 2013

Episode #315 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about how you get nailed twice for high-efficiency trims, the 2014 Mazda6, Chrysler giving UConnect dealer-level navigation and the best- and worst-selling new vehicles of 2012. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #315:

Topics:

High-efficiency trims cost you money. Twice.
2014 Mazda6
Chrysler UConnect gets dealer-level navigation
Best- and Worst-selling new cars and trucks of 2012

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Cadillac SRX4 3.6
2013 Lexus GS 450h
2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross

Runtime: 01:16:23

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Autoblog Podcast #315 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Chrysler, Lancia

"Hello, Europe... are you ready to rock?" "We can't hear you!" "We said... 'Are you READY TO ROCK?!'" Well you're in luck, because it's nearly time to drop your tops and rock out to the all-new Lancia Flavia Cabrio! Ignore your American friends when they try to tell you it's just a Chrysler 200 Convertible wearing Lancia badges, they're all just jealous.

The Lancia Flavia Cabrio is set to make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, along with a host of other new Lancia products. The 175-horsepower 2.4-liter I4 and six-speed automatic transmission come standard, and will make sure to push your butt back into its fine, fine (optional) leather. Sure, you can use the whole seat... but you'll only need the edge.

Check out the Lancia Flavia Cabrio in all its high-resolution glory in the gallery. There you'll also get to check out the new Thema, Voyager, Ypsilon and Delta. Rock on!

*Update: engine layout corrected to I4

Continue reading Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt

Chrysler 200 Convertible reborn as Lancia Flavia Cabrio for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler recalling 11,000 new vehicles over steering concern *UPDATE

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet, Dodge, Jeep

Chrysler's recalled vehicles for 2011 steering defect - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has issued a recall that spans across its family lines. A missing or incorrectly installed rivet on the steering column could result in a loss of control.

The recall affects the following 2011 model year vehicles:

In total, 11,351 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles need to be inspected by a dealer. Affected vehicles will have their steering column inspected and adjusted as needed, at no cost to owners. The recall will begin this month. Click past the jump for the full National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bulletin.

*UPDATE: Chrysler has corrected NHTSA on the effect of the missing or incorrectly installed rivet. This issue has no affect on a vehicle's steering ability, but could cause the steering column to improperly bear the driver's weight in the event of a front-end crash.

Continue reading Chrysler recalling 11,000 new vehicles over steering concern *UPDATE

Chrysler recalling 11,000 new vehicles over steering concern *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible

Rex Roy — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Chrysler, First Drives

An Improved Droptop For The Cruise Ship Crowd

2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

The previous-generation Chrysler Sebring Convertible was a mainstay of vacation-destination rental fleets. The cars were so numerous that you could pick them out from your airplane flying into Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles.

The old Sebring seemed just about perfect in this role. It was fine for a couple days of fun in the sun, but you never shed a tear when dropping off its keys back at the rental counter. When we arrived at the launch of the new Chrysler 200 Convertible in San Diego, we wondered whether the Sebring's successor would be better enough for us to want to hold onto the keys after our test drive was over.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible...

Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible

First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler 200 Convertible photographer miffed at leak, goes on Facebook rant

Noah Joseph — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Chrysler

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

Creative talent can be a tricky thing. An artist may have control over their work if they keep it private, but the minute they commercialize their talents for a paying customer, well, things can get a bit ugly. That's how you get stories of artists reclaiming paintings they've sold because they don't like the people looking at them, or writers walking off movie sets infuriated at the direction their screenplay has gone. What's common in artistic circles or in Hollywood, though, doesn't come up much in the automotive industry. Not much, but it happens.

Take, for example, one Webb Bland, the photographer behind the recently leaked photos of the new 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible. A beautiful set of shots, to be sure, but Bland has gone on an absolute tirade on his Facebook page, enraged that the photos were leaked ahead of schedule. In his fury, Bland lashed out at his client Chrysler and the "lone, misguided idiot" who leaked the photos, thus ruining "five weeks of careful planning and logistics".

Bland's wrath, however, is not reserved for his clients alone; he goes on to lambaste the "many car blogs [that] have already run many of the photos cropped awkwardly, without context or back story, and at a horribly compressed resolution, on top of that." Hey, that's us! You'll have to read the full diatribe (which we've posted for you after the jump in case the shooter gets second thoughts) to get all the expletives we've left out, but while - for our part at least - we're not about to engage Bland in his ranting, we can't help but wonder if he's ever heard the old adage, "Don't pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel."

Gallery: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible Leaked Photos

[Source: NotBland Automotive Photography via CarScoop]

Continue reading Chrysler 200 Convertible photographer miffed at leak, goes on Facebook rant

Chrysler 200 Convertible photographer miffed at leak, goes on Facebook rant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible photos leak out

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Convertible, Chrysler

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is set to debut the 2012 200 Convertible at the New York Auto Show in March, but through the magic of the Interwebs, the first crop of official images has already leaked out. The new 200 sedan isn't a bad-looking car, and while the convertible's design isn't the most attractive creation (that rear end still looks plenty awkward), it's certainly better than the outgoing Sebring.

Aside from the deletion of a fixed roof, expect the Chrysler 200 Convertible to be largely the same as its sedan counterpart, with interior refinement and engine choices all being carried over. This means that both the 2.4-liter inline-four and 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 should be underhood, and the end result is a cabriolet that, while better than the model it replaces, certainly won't take your breath away.

Gallery: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible Leaked Photos

[Source: Autoblog.it]

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible photos leak out originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible playing in the snow

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Chrysler

Spied: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible is set to debut at the 2011 New York Auto show later this year. Thanks to the lens work of one particularly wily spy photographer, we get a clear look at the drop-top ahead of schedule. This two-door, soft-top example was caught running around with a surprising lack of camo-cladding.

Though we see a soft-top here, we can't rule out the inclusion of a retracting hardtop since the outgoing Sebring employed a variety of disappearing roofs over its lifetime. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible

[Source: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Company]

Spy Shots: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible playing in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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