You know what? That’s not half bad for car that looks as good as the new 2011 Chrysler 300. Production of the new sedan began on Friday, January 7th, and as such Chrysler thought it would be a good idea if they released some pricing. From its inception in 2005, Chrysler has always pushed the flagship 300 as a less expensive American alternative to European sedans. For 2011 the 300 has gone through a complete redesign both inside and out. For instance, under the hood the base engine will now be Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, a mill that pumps out 292 hp, that’s a gain of 42 hp over the previous model year. The 300 will also be available with an all-wheel drive system for when the weather goes south. Interior updates include a much needed new dash and gauge layout, as well as an optional luxury package that will include a heated steering wheel, 12-way heated and air-conditioned power seats and multi-temperature cup-holders.

The 300 will also be offered in four different configurations and price points:

• Chrysler 300, priced at $27,995.
• 300 Limited, $31,995, (with luxury package, $35,245).
• 300C, $31,995.
• 300C AWD at $41,145.

Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler CEO stated, “The 300 is the flagship of the Chrysler brand” and “This all-new 2011 model has a lot to live up to.” If the updates to this car are as extensive as Chrysler states, then I have a feeling it will have no problem living up to any expectations that are placed upon it.

Source: AutomotiveNews

Ford's New Focus Electric. Image: Ford Motor Company

In a bold move designed to avoid sharing the media spotlight at the upcoming North American International Auto Show, Ford chose the Consumer Electronics Show to debut it’s latest Focus variant and first all-electric passenger car. Like the Nissan Leaf, the Ford Focus Electric is powered by lithium ion batteries only, and has a projected range of 100 miles. Ford’s still got plenty of time before the car hits the market at the end of this year, so don’t be surprised if the range gets revised to reflect less than ideal circumstances.

Ford claims a recharge time of just 3 to 4 hours using a Level 2 (240v) charging station, which is about half the time it takes to charge a Nissan Leaf. Since it shares Ford’s global C-car platform and components with other Focus models, Ford claims that the Focus Electric will have better feel and driving dynamics than other electric cars on the market. The single speed transmission will give the Focus Electric a projected top speed of 84 miles per hour, which should be good enough even for commuters in the NYC, Washington D.C. or Boston markets.

The Focus Electric will also receive a unique version of MyFord Touch, designed to allow owners to interface with their vehicles via smartphone and the MyFord Mobile app. MyFord Mobile will give owners up to date information on vehicle status, state of charge and charge needed or charge completed notifications. It will also allow users to set optimum charge times for battery thermal regulation.

Source: Ford Motor Company

I know, I know – I promised I wouldn’t post any more “Downfall” sppofs, since they’ve been utterly played out. This one, though, is different, and if you’re a BMW fan you’ll grin and grimace at the same time. Of all the possible engines they could have picked for the 1 Series M, the N54 probably wasn’t the best choice for a car that is destined to see track time with nearly every owner. If the N54 has durability problems being driven on the street, expect the situation to be worse with the abuse track days generate.

The 1 Series M was BMW’s best shot at building a performance coupe for the masses. I’d have liked to see it come with cloth seats, a minimal amount of concessions to comfort and a lower price tag. Instead, it’s a limited production junior M3, that nobody on a budget will be able to afford (especially after the dealer mark-up for exclusivity). There’s more than a little truth behind a lot of the statements in the video, and I can’t help but wonder if BMW’s legendary M division has lost it’s way. I don’t think the M brand is dying, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t in the best of health.

Photo: AutoBild

Mercedes-Benz won’t show the new C-Class Coupe in public until the upcoming Geneva Auto Show, but that doesn’t mean they won’t leak images in advance to build excitement. The front end is the same as the newly restyled C-Class sedan, but the similarities end at the A-piller; everything aft of that is new, and it’s the first Mercedes I’ve seen in a long time that I’d call “lustworthy”.

Photo: AutoBild

Critics have already started to pan the design, since they feel it “borrows heavily” from BMW styling cues. The broadly flared front fenders do resemble those on the M3, and the broad character line running from the front to rear also looks like a Munich staple. The C-Pillar even has a modified “Hofmeister kink”, but I’d stop short of calling it a BMW copy. Even Mazda uses broadly flared fenders in their current design, and I doubt anyone would accuse the CX-7 of ripping off a BMW design. If you’re worried about the Hofmeister kink, take a look at the last generation Acura TSX, which copies it almost exactly.

Engine offerings are expected to mirror the sedan, so the range should include a 302 horsepower V6 as a starting point and should top out at the AMG tuned 5.5 liter V8, which is expected to put out better than 500 horsepower. Look for updates on pricing and availability during March’s Geneva Auto Show.

Source: Motor Authority, via AutoBild

The Mopar Ram Runner is Chrysler’s answer to Ford’s stellar Raptor off-road pick-up. When the Raptor was first released it sent other manufacturers scrambling for something that could compete with the blue ovals desert devouring machine. The Ram Runner could be such a truck, if that is, you choose to equip it that way. You see Chrysler is taking a bit of a different approach then Ford, as they want you to actually build the truck yourself. For instance, if you are the owner of a Ram 1500 series pick-up truck you’ll soon be able to purchase every bolt-on part available to turn your Ram into a Raptor killer. Everything from the Stage 2 Ram Runner Suspension Kit for $13,270, to the sport performance hood ($978), to a wicked cat-back exhaust system ($1,135) can all be yours if you have the greenbacks in your wallet. Chrysler’s approach to the Ram Runner tells me that they just have no interest in producing a full-on competitor for Ford’s Raptor. If they did, hell… they’d just build the damn thing and sell it through their dealerships.

Source: Autoblog.com

Ok, here’s the deal. Matt Farah, host of The Smoking Tire is getting ready to go on a little reality show adventure compliments of Ford. You see Matt and arm-candy teammate Brittney Boddington have been selected to compete in the Ford Focus Rally, a show set-up specifically to showcase Ford’s new 2012 Ford Focus. The premise is simple, six teams compete in a cross country scavenger hunt and the chance to walk away with $100,000 in cash. In order for Matt and Brittney to win though, they need to recruit as many people as possible to their team. You see this show is interactive and that means that without the assistance of the viewing audience, they’ve got no shot at the crown. The other bonus is that by joining their team you guys have a shot winning a brand new 2012 Ford Focus, as the winning team is giving away TEN cars, not just 1. People, I’ve seen this car up close and personal and I can tell you that it is a NICE automobile. So, with that being said head on over to www.focusrally.com and help Matt win some cash, and yourselves win a new ride!

Source: FocusRally.com

The 2012 Buick Verano. Photo: © GM Corp.

Buick is set to show their third new model in two years at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. The Verano is Buick’s entry into the compact luxury segment (although I have a hard time writing “Buick” and “compact” in the same sentence), and will slot into their product line below the recently launched Regal sedan. John Schwegman, Buick’s VP of marketing, sums up their reason for launching a compact sedan as follows: “Verano expands our lineup, continues Buick’s momentum and gives us a great opportunity to attract a new generation of customers with a product that delivers on their expectations for design, performance and technology. It is a smart choice that delivers unexpected luxury in a compact sedan – and it will compete head-to-head with competitors from Audi and Lexus.”

The Verano’s exterior styling carries over design themes penned for the LaCrosse and the Regal, and the interior is chock full of comfort as you’d expect from Buick. Buick emphasizes the interior’s “Quiet Tuning”, so think of this as an isolation chamber on wheels, just like its bigger brothers. I’d expect the suspension to be tuned fro a plush ride and not for handling, but that’s what Buick buyers expect. Power will come from a 2.4 liter Ecotec four cylinder engine (the same used in the Regal and the LaCrosse), but the Verano’s smaller size will be a better fit for the 177 horsepower. Buick says the Verano will hit 60 miles per hour in eight seconds, but I doubt many buyers will ever test Buick’s claim. A 2.0 liter turbo version will be offered sometime after the cars launch in the last quarter of 2011.

Source: GM Corp.

Audi's best seller, the Q5. Image: Audi of America

Despite the fact that many of us are feeling the pinch of unemployment, underemployment or questionable job security, there’s clearly a segment of the population unconcerned over personal financial issues. While car sales were up in 2010 after a disastrous 2009, luxury car sales are way up. BMW sold 220,113 vehicles last year, an increase of 12% over 2009. Mercedes Benz sold 225,007 vehicles in the U.S. last year, an increase of 18%. Audi, on the other hand had a record year in 2010, with sales of 101,629 vehicles and growth of 23% compared to 2009. Audi’s sales even grew 10% beyond their previous best year, 2007, when the company sold 93,506 vehicles.

An expanded lineup, now up to 10 models and some 20 variants, helped fuel sales. The redesigned Audi A8, launched in November of 2010, brought luxury buyers into Audi showrooms and experienced a 378% sales growth in December compared to 2009. Sales of Audi’s best seller, the Q5 crossover, increased by over 70% in 2010.

Audi has previously stated their intention to be the number one luxury brand by 2015, and they’re certainly taking steps in the right direction to accomplish this. Audi will offer more diesel variants in the U.S. over the next two years, which will give car buyers an alternative to small displacement, turbocharged gas engines or parallel hybrid vehicles. Audi’s even generated interest among enthusiasts with the announcement of the TT-RS, the RS3 and a potentially new RS4. We know we’ll get the TT-RS and it’s safe to assume we’ll get the RS4, but the RS3 remains an unknown; I say bring it in, but only if it can be priced competitively. At the RS3’s domestic market price of €49,900, or roughly $68,000, I don’t see much demand on this side of the pond.

Toyota's FT-86 G Sports Concept

The FT-86, in case you’ve forgotten, was to be an affordable entry level sports car developed in a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru. The original concept was a front engine, rear drive coupe with a 200 horsepower boxer motor and a $20,000 price tag. Originally set to hit the market in 2011, the project has been hit by a seemingly endless string of delays, and the latest speculation on a launch date has it hitting dealer showrooms some time next year. Left Lane News tells us that the FT-86 will make an appearance at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show in December, but it isn’t clear whether or not a prototype or production car will be exhibited.

It looks like the FT-86 will now get the same engine used in Subaru’s WRX STI, which is a turbocharged 2.5 liter boxer 4 good for 305 horsepower. As you’d expect, more horsepower brings with it a steeper price tag, with the price of admission now rumored to be around $25,000. Somehow, I suspect that will be revised upward prior to launch, since $25k would make the FT-86 the performance bargain of the decade.

Subaru will get their own version of the FT-86, which will send power down to all four wheels. Expect the Subaru to be more up-market than the Toyota version, and expect it to start at a significantly higher price. The Toyota is scheduled to hit the market first, with the Subaru coupe scheduled for launch sometime in 2013. Unless, of course, the project gets delayed again.

As I am sure all of you know, the Buick Regal Grand National’s built between 1984-1987 were some of the baddest rides to come out of the 1980′s. Clad in oil-slick black paint and packed with a 3.8-liter turbo charged 6-cylinder, these bad boy Buick’s wreaked havoc on unsuspecting sportscars on streets all over the country. It’s now 2011 and Buick has decided to release a new turbo Regal back into the automotive population. This time it’s front wheel drive, makes 220 hp (as opposed to 245 hp in 1987) and puts power to the pavement by way of a 6-speed automatic transmission. Recently Edmund’s Inside Line got a hold of a 1987 Buick Regal Grand National and a new 2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo and decided to run a little drag race, the results of which are pretty impressive. They also went on to do a full performance review of both cars which you can read in its entirety here.

Contributor John Pearley Huffman had it dead to rights though when he stated, “It’s the plain old ’87 that planted the Grand National’s roots deep down into the soil of the Great Forest of Awesomeness.” We all know that the new 2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo is a better car from both a build quality and overall performance standpoint. At the end of the day though you still need to ask yourself which one would you rather have in your garage… I know my pick, but how about you?