chrysler

The 404 752: Where Eminem clearly needs more money (podcast)

Millions of sports fans gathered around the TV yesterday to watch the "Big Game," and it's hard to believe that another Puppy Bowl has come and gone. Just kidding, if there's one thing we learned from Super Bowl XLV, it's that brand endorsements are ruining the illusion for celebrities like Eminem and Kim Kardashian who would have us believe that they drive Chrysler minivans and wear Skechers Shapeups.

We're wrapping up the winners and losers of the Super Bowl on today's episode of The 404 Podcast, and the winner for lowest blow is a tie between Groupon and Christina Aguilera.

Groupon took a page from Kenneth Cole PR (context) and pulled a "too soon" with an ad exploiting the tragedy in Tibet, while Christina Aguilera changed the lyrics to the National Anthem into a song about vampires squeezing juice from citrus fruits.

I'll leave it to Jeff to do his own reaming on the Black Eyed Peas half-time show before we move onto the most important part of the game: the commercials!

We all agree that for better or worse, this year's commercials stood out from years past, and our favorites include Volkswagen's Darth Vader spoof, Chevy's Camaro ad featuring Bumblebee from the "Transformers," and Doritos and Bud Light touched our hearts with animals doing human things.

There were also a ton of movie trailers that blew up our skirt, so tune into today's show to hear more of our thoughts on "Super 8," "Captain America," the Lingerie Bowl, and Angry Birds in real life!

Episode 752 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Car Tech Live 200: BMW turns your new X3 into a video event (podcast)

Your next car WILL be connected; the Chrysler 300 gets a big change under the hood; Toyota eyes China with nervousness when it comes to electric cars; and we drive the latest Camry. (Yeah, we know. But they sell a ton of 'em.)

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 200 SHOW NOTES

• Chrysler 300 Hybrid

• Keyless cars not that hard to hack

• Watch your BMW X3 being built. Oh boy.

• Toyota designs a way around Chinese access to electric motor minerals

• California has the highest cost for charging EV's -- do they make sense here?… Read more

Chrysler and EPA develop hydraulic drive for minivan

Today, Chrysler and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they would cooperate on adapting a hydraulic hybrid drive system for a Town & Country minivan. The EPA owns the patent on hydraulic hybrid systems, and currently is testing the concept in large commercial vehicles, such as UPS vans. Ford and the EPA developed a hydraulic hybrid diesel SUV in 2004 that was cited as getting 85 percent better fuel economy.

In current use, the hydraulic hybrid system stores kinetic energy in hydraulic fluid tanks, releasing the pressure to drive a vehicle's wheels. Similar to an electric hybrid, if there … Read more

Car Tech Live 199: Special from the Detroit auto show (podcast)

Toyota Prius V, Hyundai Veloster, new Audi A6 hybrid, and BMW 1 Series M all vie for our attention.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 199 SHOW NOTES

? 2012 Toyota Prius V

? 2012 Hyundai Veloster

? New Ford Police Interceptors

? Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell

? New Chrysler 300

? CNET's LOLCars gallery!

Chrysler 300 update signals new era

DETROIT--Chrysler's new beginning was probably most evidenced by the Italian accent of the gentleman introducing the new 300. Under Fiat's ownership, Chrysler updated the 300 with a look to engineering in more luxury. But it also may be telling that this update is a 2011 model, a late introduction compared with most automakers' schedules.

The new 300 seems to borrow a little bit of the Bentley Continental's simplicity in the front, and the stately C-pillars of the Rolls-Royce Phantom on the sides. Chrysler deemphasized the grille in the new model, which may be a sore point for … Read more

The 2011 Dodge Durango boasts V-6 and V-8 options

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2011 Ford Explorer seem to be getting all the headlines lately, but don't overlook next year's Dodge Durango.

The hefty 2011 Durango promises tighter handling, better fuel efficiency, and more options. The Durango comes in two sizes: the V-6 engine that has a towing capability of 6,200 lbs., and the V-8 engine has a towing capability of 7,400 lbs. Both variations offer "lifestyle packages," that one guesses include "sport" and other options.

The price on the new Durango starts at $29,195 for the rear-wheel … Read more

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee named 'Internet Truck of the Year'

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been chosen as the Internet Truck of the Year, beating out the Kia Sportage and the Ford Super Duty.

Internet Car and Truck of the Year are chosen by a panel of 15 automotive journalists and thousands of consumers, or "Average Joes." The pros voted 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Internet Car of the Year, and the 2011 Ford Mustang GT was named Car of the Year by consumers, but both voted for the Jeep Grand Cherokee for Truck of the Year.

In addition to recognizing the top car and truck, the Web site … Read more

Chrysler slips out its new UConnect interface

LOS ANGELES--Wandering the floor of the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, we happened across a dashboard display in the Chrysler area. Attached to a wall, it lacked an actual car, but its touch-screen head unit showed off the next generation interface for Chrysler's UConnect infotainment system.

Unlike Chrysler's current system, there were no buttons on the sides of the touch screen. A row of icons ran across the bottom of the screen, allowing access to navigation, audio, climate control, and the phone system. These icons were attractively designed and easily readable.

On current UConnect systems, we've complained … Read more

Fiat 500 debuts in production trim for U.S. market

It's been a while coming, but it's finally here. At the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Chrysler Group debuted the first fruits of its union with the Fiat Group in the form of the production-spec, U.S. market Fiat 500.

Expectedly, the 500 looks and probably behaves similarly to the European market model. It features the same compact packaging and cute sporty looks. However, Fiat's engineers have tweaked a few bits beneath the sheet metal to make the ultracompact more U.S. market-friendly.

Under the hood is Fiat's award-winning 1.4-liter MultiAir engine, which uses … Read more

Rumor: Chrysler adding Alfa Romeo to lineup

There hasn't been a lot of news from Chrysler lately, but rumor has it that papa Fiat will be sending a version of the Alfa Romeo Giuletta to the U.S., according to a article in the Detroit Free Press. The proposed model will be built on Fiat's C-EVO underbody and look similar to the Guiletta. The Alfa Romeo, which could begin production late next year, should replace the Dodge Caliber crossover in the beleaguered automaker's lineup, and Chrylser and Jeep could also get a version of the five-door Italian hatchback.

The 2010 Alfa Romeo Guiletta fetches … Read more