We area little more than a month away from the 2006 NAIAS in Detroit, and already the 2006 concepts are breaking cover. One of the most anticipated concepts of the show has been the Dodge Challenger. A keen eyed Autoweek reader spotted the concept out in the open and snapped a few pictures of it.

Rumored to be powered by a 6.1 liter HEMI making 425 hp, this is probably the same engine you will find in the SRT-8 cars throughout DCX’s lineup. One big difference though…the concept is connected to a manual transmission. Sign me up.

More at Autoweek

Capitalizing on the sales momentum generated by multiple product launches in 2005 and seeking to increase the year-to-date sales gains, Chrysler Group introduces its unprecedented Miles of Freedom Plan incentive program designed to offer value-added services for customers who purchase selected 2005 and 2006 model year Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 21 through Jan. 3, 2006, the Miles of Freedom Plan provides customers who purchase 2005 and 2006 model-year vehicles with two years of free gasoline, two years of free scheduled maintenance and a 5-year/60,000-mile full mechanical warranty. Continue reading Chrysler Group Offers Customers Miles of Freedom

Source: North American International Auto Show November Showtalk Newsletter

Frankfurt, Tokyo…now on to Detroit. Indeed, with the opening of NAIAS only weeks away, global automakers are beginning to reveal their plans for worldwide premieres of concept and production vehicles, as well as North American debuts. Continue reading Its That Time of Year Again — NAIAS Signals the Start of 2006 International Auto Show Season

Constantly at the forefront of turbo technology, Porsche will once again propel turbocharging to the next level. November 16, 2005 marks the 100th anniversary of the invention of the turbocharger, a device that has only added to Porsche’s storied racing and performance legacy. To recognize this landmark date, Porsche announces its latest turbocharging development: Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG).

In its next iteration, the Porsche 911 Turbo will offer VTG, a mechanism that continuously adjusts the angle of the compressor’s turbine blades, a world’s first for a turbocharged gasoline engine. Featured in diesel engines since the early 1990s, VTG can provide significant improvements in engine flexibility and responsiveness, particularly at low engine speeds. Until now, this innovation has been limited to diesel applications, due to the far higher exhaust-gas temperatures (up to 1000° C/1800° F) prevalent in turbocharged gasoline engines. But Porsche has overcome this hurdle—working in close cooperation with Borg Warner Turbo Systems—by using temperature-resistant materials derived from aerospace technology. Continue reading Porsche’s next-generation 911 Turbo to feature Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG)

Audi Le Mans Concept

INGOLSTADT, Germany – It is now official: the new Audi sports car will be called the Audi R8. Presented as the “Le Mans quattro” concept study two years ago at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi has now taken the decision to build its new sports car. Everything is already being prepared for the series production of the R8 at Audi’s plant in Neckarsulm, due to commence in the fourth quarter of 2006. The market launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2007.

28 million euros are being invested in the R8 production line. The Audi subsidiary quattro GmbH will be responsible for production. Development and test construction at quattro GmbH and technical development at AUDI AG are currently in full swing. 250 employees will work on the production of the R8.

“Through the R8 we are looking to build on our successes in motorsport and carry them over to series production. This model represents Audi’s very own interpretation of sportiness,” says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of AUDI AG, about the new member of the Audi model range.

Audi is relying on intelligent lightweight design for its R8, a core area of expertise in Neckarsulm. The Audi A2, A6 and A8 were all developed at the Aluminium Centre there using lightweight design technology.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The highly acclaimed 2006 Audi A3 line-up will receive a formidable addition in mid-November: the A3 3.2 quattroÃ’ S-line. Audi’s premium compact will now have even more sporting pretensions with a high-power V6 engine, quattro all-wheel drive, and aggressive exterior styling. The 2006 A3 3.2 quattro S-line will be available at a base price of $33,980 ($44,990 in Canada). A destination charge of $720 is not included in the base price.

The heart of the new A3 3.2 quattro S-line is the narrow-angle 3.2L V6 engine producing 250 hp at 6300 rpm and 236 ft.-lbs. of torque from 2800-3200 rpm. A 6-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox transmission is standard, as is Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive. This drivetrain propels the A3 3.2 quattro S-line from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and through the quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds. Continue reading Audi Announces Pricing For The 2006 A3 3.2 Quattro S-Line

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Dynamism made by AMG: powerful AMG bodystyling and expressive 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with size 255/50 wide-base tyres are now available for the Mercedes-Benz R-Class. The distinctive AMG components are suitable for all three models and both body variants of the new Grand Sports Tourer. Continue reading New AMG components for the R-Class, the Grand Sports Tourer from Mercedes-Benz: The new R-Class with powerful AMG look

DETROIT – General Motors is extending its strategy of providing simple, compelling prices on its cars and trucks with its year-end ‘Red Tag Event.’ This marketing program runs from Nov. 13, 2005 through Jan. 3, 2006 and features special Red Tag prices on most Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac 2005 and 2006 models.

“Consumers won’t need a calculator to figure out the great prices available during the ‘Red Tag Event,’” said Mark LaNeve, GM vice president, North America Vehicles Sales, Service and Marketing. “All they have to do is look for the red tag posted on our award winning lineup of cars and trucks. They won’t pay a penny more than the low price they see on the red tag of the vehicle. It’s a great offer and clearly the smart way to buy a vehicle this holiday season.”

Cadillac, Saturn, Saab and HUMMER also are running special year-end programs with different offers. Cadillac features its traditional ‘Season’s Best’ theme, with $500 bonus cash. Saab also is offering $500 bonus cash. Saturn is giving a $500 Target gift card, and HUMMER is running “Holiday Attractions,” which includes special pricing on a rear entertainment system.

LaNeve explained that the ‘Red Tag Event’ combines the best features of the recent ‘GM Employee Discount for Everyone’ program and last December’s ‘Red Tag’ program. As was the case in ‘Employee Discount for Everyone,’ ‘Red Tag Event’ prices for eligible vehicles are consistent across the country. Taking a page from last year’s very successful ‘Red Tag’ promotion, prices are prominently displayed on eligible vehicles at participating GM dealerships and take into account available rebates, but exclude taxes, title and dealer fees. Consumers can confirm vehicle prices and availability by checking www.gm.com/redtag.

A national advertising campaign including network television, print in the top 50 markets, radio and interactive began Nov. 13.,

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DaimlerChrysler will continue to produce its “classic off-roader” in the coming years. On behalf of Mercedes-Benz, the company Magna Steyr has manufactured over 185,000 units of the legendary G-Class in Graz, Austria, since 1979. The car continues to be very popular among customers, and it has been part of the Mercedes product lineup for the past 26 years.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4MATIC, which Magna Steyr in Graz has also been building since 1996, will be manufactured instead at the DaimlerChrysler plant in Sindelfingen from early 2007. “By continuing to produce the G-Class in Graz and manufacturing all E-Class variants at our main plant in Sindelfingen from 2007, we have found a viable solution for both partner,” explains Dr. Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrysler Board of Management member and head of the Mercedes Car Group. “We are delighted that we can continue our successful and long-standing cooperation with Magna Steyr.”

With its rugged technology and outstanding off-road capabilities, the G-Class has set standards from the very start. And it is equipped with the industry’s most effective drive and driving safety systems, combining permanent all-wheel drive with the 4ETS electronic traction system and three differential locks that are activated when needed.

The vehicle’s striking shape, which has remained nearly unchanged over a period of almost three decades, has made the “G” a design classic with cult status. Together with its legendary ruggedness, the off-roader’s design has contributed most to its popularity. “Mercedes-Benz wrote automotive history by always ensuring that the G-Class remained state of-the-art over the past 26 years, and it will continue to offer its customers the very latest technology in the future,” says Zetsche.

I found this interesting news tidbit, and found it too good to not post here. Toyota trucks have always been known to be the toughest of the tough, proven by a Top Gear episode a couple of years ago. They set a Toyota Hi-Lux on fire, dropped a wrecking ball on it, sent it tumbling down a set of stairs…and the thing still ran. This story though takes things a bit further, and really is a testament to the quality put into the Toyota trucks of past.

Source: Peninsula Clarion Newspaper of Kenai, Alaska

Sterling man hauls in Toyota revealed by winter waters

By PHIL HERMANEK
Peninsula Clarion

Published: November 10, 2005

STERLING — After a four-month stay at the bottom of the Kenai River, a pickup has been recovered — and it runs.

In late June, Sterling resident Larry Hansen, 66, parked his Toyota pickup on Huske Lane, which resembles a boat ramp and leads right into the river off the east end of Scout Lake Loop Road.

He hiked a short distance down to the river to do some fishing and heard a vehicle moving behind him.

He turned and was stunned to see his 1984 truck heading into the water.

Hansen told Alaska State Troopers he wasn’t sure if he had set the emergency brake, but whether he did or not, the truck somehow started rolling and went into the river. Continue reading They Don’t Build ‘Em Like This Anymore – Kenai River surrenders a lost pickup truck