Automotive News

Sport truck enthusiasts have something else to be enthusiastic about. Dodge Ram has won Sport Truck Magazine's "Truck of the Year" award. Of all the competitors, including the Chevy Avalanche, GMC Sierra, Ford Lightning, Lincoln Blackwood, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma, Sport Truck Magazine concluded that "Dodge Ram was the only one that had obvious styling cues taken from sport truck enthusiasts" and that "it's easy to envision this truck lowered and customized." But they agreed it's not just Ram's bold looks that make it the clear winner. "Inside, the Ram boasts the largest interior of any regular cab in a full-size truck - a total of 65.05 cubic feet", said Dan Sanchez of Sport Truck. We were also thrilled that they noticed the difference in our frame stiffness from using hydroforming in our manufacturing process - "The ride of Ram was most impressive, due mostly to the new hydroformed frame, which eliminates seams and provides added strength."
Automotive News

Patience and perseverance paid off for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer Ted Musgrave as he captured his first NCTS title. The Championship is also a first for Mopar. Combined with Bobby Hamilton's 2004 series title, the win marks back-to-back series victories for Dodge. Musgrave took a 58 point lead over Dennis Setzer, then set his sights on the championship and Setzer. Finishing nineteenth in the season ending race, he steered his Ultra Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram through two crashes in the final laps. "I had to put a bubble around me and stay back and pick my way through them," Musgrave said. "They were racing for positions and I was racing for a championship." In Musgrave's three year career, he has amassed 16 career wins and of the 17,460 racing miles, he has led for 3,250.7 laps and has never finished lower than third in the NTCS championships. Mopar and Dodge picked up two of racing's premier series this year by adding the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) Funny Car titled won by Gary Scelzi.
Automotive News

The National Safety Council has selected the Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler to receive the Council's 2004 Green Cross for Safety Medal in recognition of its vehicle safety innovations, support and sponsorship of public safety initiatives and its leadership in employee safety and health. As the only automotive manufacturer to receive this award, Chrysler Group will be the fifth recipient of the National Safety Council's Green Cross for Safety Medal. The award recognizes distinguished contributions over a period of years for outstanding achievements in safety and health, community service, and responsible citizenship. "This award is an honor that is especially gratifying because it comes from the National Safety Council, an important organization dedicated to the things we stand for as a company," said Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group. DaimlerChrysler has a long track record of developing innovative vehicle designs and safety features: In the 1980s, Chrysler was the first automaker to introduce minivans - a new class of vehicles that provides safety and security for families In 1990, Chrysler was the first automaker to make a driver-side air bag standard on every U.S.- built car, and in 1991 it followed with the first integrated child seat in a vehicle. In 2000, DaimlerChrysler launched a public awareness campaign that describes LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) and emphasizes the continued need for parents to get child safety seats inspected. Since September 2002, the child seat anchorage system has been available on all DaimlerChrysler vehicles. DaimlerChrysler was among the first automakers to introduce side curtain air bags that cover three rows of seating in the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2004 Dodge Durango. "The National Safety Council also recognizes DaimlerChrysler's long history of supporting issues to educate the motoring public, change behavior and help reduce risks," McMillan said. These DaimlerChrysler initiatives include: Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign - since 1996, this program has been instrumental in increasing the national seat belt use from 61% in 1996 to 79% today. The program also has educated consumers on air bag safety, contributing to a 94% reduction since 1996 in the child fatality rate associated with air bag deployment. Road Ready Teens - provides parents of teenagers learning to drive or new teen drivers with tips and tools to ease their teens into the driving process. SEATCHECK - The first nationwide toll-free hotline service dedicated exclusively to helping parents find a local car seat inspection resource. Fit for a Kid - Participating Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge dealers provide families with a child safety seat inspection at no charge, no matter what type of vehicle they are driving. The Back is Where It's At - program emphasizes the importance of keeping children in the back seat. Stop Red Light Running - educates drivers on the number of injuries and deaths related to running red lights. The Neon Drunk Driver Simulator - targets high school students in more than 2,000 high schools to educate teens on the negative effects of drinking and driving. Mother's Day Programs - DaimlerChrysler has donated car safety seats to hospitals serving Hispanic women in various cities in honor of Mother's Day.
Automotive News

Los Angeles -Audi continues to receive notoriety through out it's model line. The A8 and allroad quattro are the most recent recipients of praise. LA Car recently awarded vehicles from several categories the title of "Best Cars to Drive in Rush Hour". The article originated from the notion that, for the infamous journey through rush hour traffic in Los Angeles, some vehicles are better suited for such a daunting task than others. The Audi A8 was named in the "Isolation Chamber" category. This category consists of premium luxury vehicles deemed as luxurious and relaxing. LA Car states "Audi's latest A8 may be the best all-around luxury car south of the six figure range. In rush hour traffic, it performs very well... and its all-wheel drive and aluminum space frame design make it a great handling luxury sedan." The allroad 4.2 quattro was recognized in the SUV category. "Like all Audis, it's a work of art, lavished with one of the nicest interiors you'll ever find... The 4.2L is fitted with Audi's formidable V8 engine, which translates into instantaneous acceleration on command. Combine all this with the excellent visibility all around, and you've got one of the best cars for rush hour traffic." The network of over 260 Audi dealers currently offers a line of premium vehicles that include the all-new Audi A3 (Available in May 2005), the sporty A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high performance S4 sedan and Avant models; the design-leading A6 sedan (the A6 Avant will be on sale in July); the all-aluminum Audi A8; the crossover allroad quattro and the award-winning TT Coupe and Roadster. Audi of America is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and markets a line of luxury cars built in plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, Germany and Gy?r, Hungary. The parent company, Audi AG, is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany.
Automotive News

LOS ANGELES - With the North American debut of the 2007 Audi Q7 performance SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi announced pricing for the Q7 4.2 quattro model starting at an MSRP of $49,900 (not including $720 destination charge). The all-new Q7 is truly making the impossible possible in the luxury SUV segment,? said Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President, Audi of America. ?Its combination of dynamic performance, versatility, innovative technology and luxurious appointments is unparalleled.? The 2007 Q7 4.2 quattro is equipped with a 4.2-liter V8 FSI engine with gasoline direct injection technology producing 350 horsepower. A six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and the latest generation of quattro all-wheel drive confidently sends the power to the ground. Power delivery is now split 42:58 front to rear under normal driving conditions, adding to the dynamic handling capabilities of the Q7. As with all Audi models, the 2007 Q7 4.2 quattro has no shortage of standard luxury features. Such items as automatic Adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, seven-passenger seating covered in leather seating surfaces, power tailgate, Audi?s intuitive MMI system, automatic dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, 5,500 pound towing capacity, cruise control, and keyless entry are only the beginning of the impressive list of standard features. The Q7 4.2 quattro has an extensive list of luxurious and technologically advanced options as well. A cold weather package with heated front and second row seats, and heated steering wheel, lists for $850. A $2,400 technology package consists of a rearview camera with rear acoustic parking system, Audi side assist that monitors the vehicles blind spots, Advanced key keyless entry and vehicle start system, and voice control. Stand alone options on the Q7 4.2 quattro include 3-panel Panorama sunroof, 19 or 20-inch alloy wheels, 4-zone automatic climate control including rear control panel, upgraded 6,600 pound towing capacity, satellite radio, and DVD navigation. Sold order options include, adaptive air suspension, Audi?s latest generation of adaptive cruise control (delayed introduction) and Audi side assist. The Audi Q7 4.2 quattro has the standard plethora of safety equipment that you will find across the entire Audi model line up. Dual front and front side airbags, Sideguard curtain airbags that protect occupants in all three rows, anti-lock disc brakes at all four corners, Electronic Stability Program with roll-over sensing capability, and pre-tensioning three-point seatbelts for all seven passengers are all standard. Rear side airbags are optional.

Aston Martin Racing is set to return to the Sebring International Raceway for the 54th running of the legendary 12-hour race next month with two DBR9s. The endurance classic is scheduled to start at 10:30am EST on March 18th and marks the start of the 2006 American Le Mans Series season. The Aston Martin team claimed a spectacular GT1 class victory in front of record crowds at the Florida circuit last year, a notable achievement in the DBR9’s first competitive appearance. Aston Martin’s presence will not end there however. Autosport Designs Racing have announced that they will be running a team of two DBRS9s in the supporting SCCA Speed World Challenge Series. Aston Martin has a lengthy history at the Sebring circuit dating back to 1950 when three DB2s competed in what was then a 6-hour competition. In 1956, driving a DB3S, the Le Mans winning team of Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori took fourth place overall and in 1958 Sir Stirling Moss set the fastest race lap in DBR1. The first victory for Aston Martin came in 2005 and marked the DBR9’s impact on the world of GT motorsport. David Richards, Chairman of Prodrive, said: “As we know from our final two races of 2005, the ALMS is fiercely competitive and as ever, we expect a tough battle in GT1. When we came to Sebring last year it was for the DBR9’s first race at the start of a test and development year. Our class victory was an excellent debut for the car, but even more importantly for me was the car’s ability to follow this with many more victories and podiums around the world; not just in our hands, but in those of our customers’. “To have a customer team running two DBRS9s in the Speed World Challenge Series is particularly pleasing and it’s somewhat fitting that the car is making its competitive debut at the same circuit as the DBR9 did a year ago.“ Dr Ulrich Bez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin, said: “We are delighted to be back in the US which is an important market for us and racing at Sebring where we achieved such a good result last year. “So far this year we have previewed the Aston Martin Rapide concept, a four-door high performance coupe at the North American Auto Show and announced that James Bond will again drive an Aston Martin in the next 007 film. 2006 promises to be another exceptional year for Aston Martin and we hope to add to this with success on the race track.”

While the term "automotive design" is typically used to describe a vehicle's exterior, at Infiniti, our philosophy of automotive design goes much deeper. Infiniti's visionary approach begins with simple lines that embody our designers' intent and inspiration. Defining strokes that express the complex character, emotion and purpose of every vehicle. Once perfected, these distinctive lines become the unwavering focal points that guide every stage of creation, from concept to production. What's more, they ensure that every component, even those unseen, convey form and function worthy of the most dynamic luxury automobiles in the world.