New York 2011: Chrysler's SRT division open to smaller engines, but there's still a market for big V8s

If Chrysler Street Racing Technology (SRT) division rolling out another big-bore, high-horsepower engine asked at the 2011 New York Auto Show, said Dan Reid, the Company Head of Media Relations, "there is a market for it - Cars that go fast and sound good. "

Joseph Grace, the vehicle manager for SRT Division agreed, that "big, naturally aspirated V8 engine" can still find enough buyers to support Halo cars. The mood arm is open, but less potent options. "There is a precedent for four-cylinder [with the Dodge Neon SRT4], and a 6 ​​[on the Crossfire SRT6], and if we are the right platform, we'll see it come back." Added Reid, "The five areas are for SRT powertrain, braking, handling, interior and exterior," and any potential SRT vehicle to meet that initial qualification. Grace then told us that the 6.4-liter engine was in the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 with its cylinder deactivation, active exhaust system, "the most efficient way to deliver the type of service customers expect."

"We had great success with the SRT4 and there is a trend toward smaller displacement turbocharged engines, there is indeed a demographic that appeals to,"said Grace. But when asked whether it could be something like a Dodge Charger SRT, Grace is not suggested, and said: "We therefore have the man Van."

Because where else for Chrysler is looking for specific models, Reid said. "If you want the 300 series, a car for every personality to expand Schneider models to different customers at the moment we have a " bare bones "model, which 300, 300 S, 300C SRT8, and Executive. We are looking at the non-traditional customers and see what they want. "

2012 Honda Civic launches in five flavors

That's right, this is all of the 2012 Honda Civic in its glory. While it would be hard to tell with one glance, this all-new Civic, the exchange virtually nothing other than his moniker with the previous generation. As much as we would have liked some additional visual flair, it seems Honda is conservative and right with the aim for the heart of the market with five separate and different flavors of the compact range.
We will start with the all-new HR model, which, as you might have guessed, is the most economical of the non-hybridized Civics, which are available in the U.S.. Honda expected to make the RF with its 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the EPA estimated consumption of 41 miles per gallon on the highway. The HF is its aerodynamic package with the returing Civic Hybrid, which creates a combined rating of 45 mpg (four mpg improvement over the outgoing Civic Hybrid), thanks to its lithium-ion battery - a Honda first - and 1.5-liter - i-VTEC engine and CVT transmission. There is also a natural gas Civic GX.
While these two models for the ultimate in fuel efficiency target, we imagine that the standard sedan and coupe models make up the bulk of sales. Buyer is a 1.8-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower under the hood, the scores of an EPA-estimated 39 mpg on the highway to find (three mpg improvement over the last Civic). The Civic soldiers and a five-speed automatic transmission at a time when most of its competitors are packing six conditions.