Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #226: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, New York and Shanghai

Dan Roth — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:09:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Buick, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Shanghai Motor Show

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #226 features Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Dan Roth and AOL Autos Editor-in-Chief David Kiley. We start with the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle and then talk about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Staying with the auto show theme, we talk about the Buick Envision that has shown up in Shanghai. Your feedback in our Q&A module winds us up, and we've embedded that in the post below, as well. Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #226: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, New York and Shanghai Auto Shows

In the Autoblog Garage:
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco
2011 Dodge Avenger Heat

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Guest: David Kiley

Runtime: 01:23:12

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #226: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, New York and Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Quick Spin: 2011 Dodge Avenger

Zach Bowman — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Dodge, Quick Spins

An Old Dog Learns A Few New Tricks

2011 Dodge Avenger - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has chosen vastly different fates for its Sebring and the Dodge Avenger, despite the two essentially being identical vehicles. While the Sebring underwent a complete personality makeover for 2011 and emerged with new sheetmetal and a new nameplate to match, the Avenger was left to soldier on with more conservative tweaks. The Dodge version of Chrysler's midsize sedan still wears the same basic body lines as before, masking over the significant adjustments to the vehicle's interior, drivetrain and suspension. While the Chrysler 200 may be stealing (okay, borrowing) the show, the 2011 Avenger is no less improved, at least when equipped with the company's new 3.6-liter V6 engine.

With 283 horsepower and respectable fuel economy, the new six-cylinder turns the Avenger into a vehicle that no longer takes its driving cues from capital punishment, though lower-rung trim levels don't fare as well. Buyers who opt for the old 2.4-liter four-cylinder will be met with visions from the vehicle's less-than-award-winning past, including plenty of engine vibration and fuel economy that's not on par with new hardware coming out from the competition. All this begs the question: Is there room for both the Dodge Avenger and the Chrysler 200 under the new company tent?

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Avenger: Quick Spin

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2011 Dodge Avenger

Quick Spin: 2011 Dodge Avenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Officially Official: This is your 2011 Dodge Avenger

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:23:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge Avenger - Click above for high-res image gallery

It certainly seems that not a week goes by without Chrysler unveiling a substantially refreshed 2011 model, but if any automaker needs to do a full-line makeover, it's the Pentastar. Take this 2011 Dodge Avenger, for example - its new interior, better powertrain choices and more aggressive suspension are greatly needed, especially since it is perhaps the most frequently overlooked vehicle in the entry-level mid-size sedan segment.

Very minor adjustments have been made to the Avenger's exterior, notably a revised lower front fascia and the addition of LED taillamps out back. It's a much more conservative refresh than the exterior changes on its Chrysler ~~Sebring~~ 200 twin, but we're willing to bet that many of you think it needed less work than the Pentastar-badged model to begin with.

Like the rest of Chrysler's refreshed products, the Avenger gets a nearly all-new interior, and if you simply reference the old cabin versus the new one, you'll see what an improvement it is. The automaker also promises a much quieter cabin, with extensive effort paid to sound deadening.

Under the hood, Chrysler has fitted a recalibrated version of its 2.4-liter inline-four, mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission. Of course, the automaker's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is available, pumping out 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in this application, which strikes us as a very healthy amount for this front-driver.

Additional big changes will be felt from behind the wheel, as Chrysler has heavily reworked the Avenger's suspension geometry. 26 of the car's 30 suspension bushings have been completely redesigned, the front and rear tracks have been bumped out by an inch, wider tires have been fitted and the car rides a bit lower to the ground. What's more, the steering has been reworked to offer a more precise feeling and better level of engagement. It certainly sounds like Chrysler has laid their hands on all the right areas, but we'll have to wait for a drive to feel how the new Avenger fares out on the road.

Pricing will be revealed closer to the 2011 Avenger's arrival at dealerships near the end of the year. Make the jump to read Chrysler's own words, and click through our gallery below to see the new Avenger for yourself.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Avenger

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Officially Official: This is your 2011 Dodge Avenger

Officially Official: This is your 2011 Dodge Avenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Stayin' Alive? Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger reportedly off death row until 2012

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chrysler, Dodge

2010 Chrysler Sebring - Click above for high-res image gallery

Great news, midsize sedan buyers! The Italian/American brain trust at the helm of the Pentastar has decided to keep the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger around for another two models years. Previously, past owners Cerberus had signaled its intentions to cull the slow selling duo after the 2010 model year, but according to reports, Fiat says that there weren't really any solid plans to replace the twins and it's not really feasible to pull out of the segment entirely until its own Italian-bred successors are ready.

Perhaps the automaker's new owners can find a way to make the platform a bit more competitive for its final two years in production. Next year's Sebring will see a few minor updates that should at least improve the ugly duckling's appearance, not the least of which is the deletion of the car's awkward ribbed hood. Current projections indicate that a more extensive freshening is in the works for 2011 for the Sebring and possibly a wee bit earlier for the Dodge Avenger, which isn't in quite so dire need of a facelift.

Gallery: 2010 Chrysler Sebring

[Source: AutoWeek]

Stayin' Alive? Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger reportedly off death row until 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments