Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW X5 Security

If you happen to be the Head of State of a controversial nation, have a lot of enemies, or you are just plain paranoid, BMW's latest X5 variation may appeal to you. It's called the BMW X5 Security, and it has been armored by the factory to protect its occupants against some serious firepower (BMW claims safety class "VR4" to resist the penetration from a .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, or a nine-millimeter Luger). While BMW is understandably mum about specifics, we do know that the body panels (including the roof and trunk) have been reinforced with a ballistic-resistant armored fiber developed in the Netherlands. The windows are upgraded to laminated 22-mm thick security glass, and a camera system with intercom keeps the passengers informed of what's happening outside their isolated cocoon. To handle the extra mass (you know its packing some weight) the Security package is bundled to the X5 4.8i model with its 4.8-liter 350-hp V-8. Nearly indistinguishable from the regular model, BMW has reportedly attempted to maintain the X5's driving dynamics with upgraded suspension and brakes. It's apparently no slouch, but we have yet to see any armored car that is considered exceptionally nimble.

According to The Detroit News, Chrysler's product-cutting plan is all but official. The first three models on the chopping block, according to the newspaper's unnamed sources, are the Magnum, Pacifica and the PT Cruiser. The next round could include the Jeep Commander if it doesn't get its act together.

Sales on the first three models were down as much as 32% through September, and the company's new boss, Bob Nardelli, isn't in a playing-around mood. Company insiders have told the Det News that Nardelli is taking very close looks at the current lineup and isn't exactly thrilled. Supposedly, Dodge's Dakota and Avenger and Chrysler's Sebring are also feeling the Nardelli heat. The newspaper quotes Nardelli as saying, "I'm not a designer, but I'm a consumer," he said. "Rather than deny some of the (negative) reports that are out there you kind of embrace them and say, what do we want to do to take our vehicle from where it is to where consumers want it to be?"

So how many of you reading that actually said out loud, "It's about damned time!" Nardelli sounds like a guy who doesn't mess around, who seems to know his company's products aren't up to snuff, and who's willing to do just about anything to fix them. Sebring and Avenger aren't exactly blockbuster designs, and if Chrysler must amputate them to stay alive, we say go for it.

We hate to see wagons disappear from the domestics' lineup again, but overall, this is a good sign and we can't wait to see what Nardelli does with future offerings.

By the way, Mr. Nardelli. Can we nominate the Aspen and Compass for some critical evaluation, too? Thanks.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Thanks, Mike, for the tip!

Click image for high-res gallery

Well, you knew this had to be coming. The revised Porsche Cayenne has been on sale for a while now, and Porsche supertuner TechArt has readied the next-generation Magnum for an official debut at the Frankfurt show in September. The edgier look of the new Cayenne has given way to a Magnum that's just as aggressive as the outgoing one, but is better-looking in a very angry sort of way. This Magnum looks like it wants to punch you right in the kisser and take your lunch money. Possibly your dignity, as well. The muscled-up bodywork is further accented by swanky Techart wheels and formidable quad exhaust outlets.

Inside the cabin, enough leather is stretched over the seating and trim surfaces to make PETA members suffer immediate nervous breakdowns. We also like the snazzy brown carbon fiber trim used in lieu of wood in the photo car. Techart is working on a suite of engine mods for the Cayenne Turbo's mill that will pump it up to 620 horsepower, and their suspension modification allows for a lower-than-standard ride height for normal driving. (The adjustable suspension's peak off-road height is still maintained.) Price? None given, and if you need to ask, you're probably out of your league anyway. The verdict? Badass -- very much so.

[Source: Techart]

Chrysler may be in the middle of a major ownership change, but the beat goes on when it comes to future vehicle plans. The folks over at The Star are reporting that Chrysler is going to build a fifth model at their Brampton plant in Ontario, which currently assembles the 300, Charger, and Magnum. Challenger production is scheduled for next year, and the fifth vehicle, which could be built in 09' as a 2010 model, is expected to be the Imperial.

Chrysler is reportedly investing $700 million in the Brampton plant to bring the Imperial to life, and the Rolls-Royce and Bentley wannabe is expected to ride on an extended version of Chrysler's LX platform. The Imperial, which sported a 6.1L Hemi V8 as a concept, could also receive a diesel engine. Chrysler has yet to make an announcement on an additional vehicle at Brampton, but word is it that Chrysler Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Frank Ewasyshn is expected to do so June 11.

We aren't sold on the chunky, blocky, copycat looks of the Imperial, but Chrysler apparently thinks enough Americans will want the beast that they've all but pulled the trigger on making it all official

[Source: TheStar]

In the wake of the New York Auto Show, there were still plenty of photos to see on Autoblog this week. There were plenty of great photos, from our review of the SRT Magnum, to Autoblog Green's review of the Nissan Altima Hybrid. We've also added links below to some of the more exciting galleries from the week gone by.

This week, music come from The Figments with "Second Time Lucky". Enjoy!

Click image for hires photo gallery

TechArt's credentials as a tuner of Porsches are completely unassailable. Whether it's more grunt underhood, a racier look, a more sporting ride, or an interior redesigned to taste, TechArt can do it, and the resulting vehicle is usually an exercise in power merged with panache. Their latest grin-generator -- the new, 997-based GTstreet -- is a perfect example. Another TechArt staple is the 600+ horsepower Cayenne-based Magnum, whose extreme styling is no doubt polarizing, but far more interesting than that of the base Cayenne Turbo.

The Magnum is the canvas used to showcase TechArt's classy new "de Sede of Switzerland" interior, which is named for the eponymous luxury furniture manufacturer. Instead of emphasizing sport with a racy cabin loaded with alcantara, aluminum, and carbon fiber (materials that TechArt will gladly adorn your machine with, if you so desire), the de Sede-enhanced Magnum is a case study in opulence.

The interior features de Sede leather (it comes only from German and Swiss cows) on the seats, doors, dash and headliner. The seats themselves are specially padded for maximum comfort, and the rest of the car is loaded with amenities, as you might expect. Microsuede-lined storage bins, a refrigerated cooler in the back seat, the requisite hi-fi A/V system with heatreast-mounted seats, PS2 console, and wireless headphones are among the highlights. If you're not in Geneva to see it in person, you can check out four shots of the inviting-looking cabin are in the attached gallery. TechArt doesn't include pricing, but you know the saying: If you have to ask...

[Source: TechArt]

A few videos recently uploaded to YouTube show what appear to be development work on a new Ghostbusters videogame that features none other than a stretch Chrysler 300 Touring playing the part of an updated Ecto wagon, i.e. the Ecto 2. We're all about videogames here at Autoblog and we're also down with any nostalgia that can bring back the sights and sounds of the 1980s, so the chance to experience life as a Ghostbuster in all its free-roaming, first-person glory is tantalizing to say the least. It came to us while watching the videos, however, that no vehicle would make a better Ecto 2 than the Dodge Magnum. The videos show the Magnum's European doppelganger, a Chrysler 300 Touring, mainly because they're attributed to game developer Zootfly, which is based in Europe where the 300 wagon is offered. Regardless, were the game produced the Dodge Magnum would likely be the Ecto 2 parked in our firehouse.

Despite the fact that no one knows if these videos show an actual game in development, a mod to a current game or a fanboy's sick homage to the original film, the idea of a reinvigorating the Ghostbusters franchise and making the Dodge Magnum a part of that is something that DCX should seriously consider funding. And why stop at video games? Aren't we all ready for a darker, more serious-in-tone Ghostbusters 3 for the adult crowd? We say this partly because we want to see the nervous sexual tension between Peter Venkman and Dana Barrett on the big screen one more time, but also because marketing opportunities like this don't come along for a manufacturer every day.

If you can think of a better late-model vehicle to play the part of Ecto 2, let us know in the comments. For us, however, the casting couch is closed.

Check out all three videos of the mysterious Ghostbusters game after the jump.

[Source: Joystiq]

Click the image above for a full-sized gallery.

So the cloak dropped on the 2008 Dodge Magnum at midnight tonight, and although we've already seen spy pics of the redesigned wagon, we finally have some press shots and some hard data.

In short, we're really only talking about a revised front fascia that's been toned down a bit from the previous iteration, with new headlamps, chrome stripping and a new hood, with an eerily reminiscent scoop pulled from the Charger. The trademark crosshair grille is present and accounted for, albeit a bit more subdued

In the rear, new tail lamps and a slightly modified rear bumper are the only significant changes.

As for motivation, the SRT8 gets the 6.1-liter HEMI V8, producing 425 HP and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, which, according to Dodge, should dispatch the sprint to 60 in just a few hairs over five seconds.

The full press release can be viewed after the jump and be sure to check out our gallery for all your nitpicking needs.

If you own a 2007 Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep listen up, because you're likely affected by Chrysler's latest recall. DaimlerChrysler is bringing home more than 68,000 vehicles to reprogram balky brake computers.

The 11 affected models are 2007 versions of the Sebring, 300, Charger, Magnum, Caliber, Commander, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Nitro and Compass. Whew.

Chrysler says computers in the recalled vehicles' could fail, leading to a loss of antilock brakes, traction control and speedomter functions. We don't remember much from our drivers' ed class, but we're pretty sure brake failure is hardly ever a good thing. Thankfully DC says nobody's been hurt yet.

Oh, and you Sebring drivers must have broken a mirror or something. While one team of crack DC mechanics gives your car a brain transplant, another team will be reteaching it to defrost your windshield. So take a book or something. That particular recall affects about 6,000 new Sebrings.

[Source: Reuters]

Brenda Priddy and her lens-wielding henchmen caught a brief, yet undisguised glimpse of the revised Magnum SRT-8, expected to debut next month at the Detroit auto show.

The changes are striking, with the Magnum's front-clip taking the brunt of the alterations, beginning with a set of rectangular headlamps whose downsized line reduces the opening of the grill. A modified front bumper sports a set of chrome strips, while the hood looks like its been pulled straight from the Charger, donning a sizeable powerbulge and scoop. Although shots of the rear weren't available, the shooters claim that the taillights also benefit from a few tweaks.

Under the hood, Dodge decided to stay with the 6.1-liter HEMI powerplant, mated to a five-speed manumatic that's had a software overhaul to produce smoother, quicker shifts.

A revised interior is also in the cards, but we'll all have to wait until its official appearance in Motor City next month for all the changes.

[Source: Zerin at Dubspeed Driven]