Another week, another 3-In-1! This time, we'll look at some of what Dodge has been up to recently, what has advertisers running away from The O'Reilly Show, and three upcoming General Motors products. Buckle up!
Revving Up: Dodge’s New Models
Revving Up: Dodge’s New Models
Dodge has been in the news pretty
frequently lately, in particular for two models that will be releasing soon:
The 2018 Challenger Demon and 2018 Durango SRT. Two very different styles of
vehicle, with one ultimate mission: Head-turning performance. What exactly
makes these specific models so different from other versions of the Durango and
Challenger? A lot, but ultimately it boils down to what’s under the hood of
each.
Six Seats, More Eight-Cylinder Power
The Durango SRT will be powered by
a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that makes 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft. of torque. This is
the same powertrain that’s found under the hood of the Grand Cherokee SRT, and
you can expect it to move the Durango from 0-60 in roughly 4.5 seconds. That
easily makes the Durango the most powerful and fastest vehicle in its crossover
segment (and faster than most full-sized SUVs too), but it’s also quite heavy, weighing
in at well over 5,000 pounds. An 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF is
standard, as is all-wheel-drive. Enjoy those four-wheel burnouts.
In order to manage the increased performance
of the Durango SRT’s engine, stiffer bushings, springs, a stronger anti-roll
bar, and adaptive suspension dampers were all installed. There are also
available drive modes this time: Sport, Street, Tow, Track, Valet, Snow, Eco,
and Custom. Based on which mode you’re in, the dampers will adjust, and as much
as 70% of the torque can be sent to the rear wheels (Track mode only). The
brakes have also been upgraded, and the interior is quite fancy, too. Although,
there’s only room for six individuals to enjoy this thrill ride. Active-noise cancelling
works whenever the engine enters its four-cylinder or Tow modes, and I really
like the black and brick colored leather and hand-stitched (yes, hand-stitched)
dashboard. Combined with the TFT gauges and Uconnect system, this all makes for
one luxurious feeling beast. When will it arrive? Expect the Durango SRT to release
late in 2017, with a base price I’m guessing in the mid-to-upper $60,000 range.
Challenge Accepted: SRT’s Demon Days
Easily one of the most buzzed about
new cars of the last several months, the Challenger Demon is perhaps the car
everyone dreams of as a little kid. Ridiculously powerful, pretty cool looks,
and loud enough to wake up the entire neighborhood even when not at full
throttle. This car is essentially being built with drag racing in mind, and its
potential full power, while still unknown, will provide ridiculous speed. The
Challenger Demon’s hood scoop is just one indicator that this engine needs a
lot of air to accomplish what its capable of.
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| Potentially 800+ HP in a mainstream production vehicle? Dodge says no problem. |
In an effort to maximize performance,
Dodge is saying they’re removing 232 pounds from the Challenger, which is quite
a heavy car. Even all of the seats besides the driver’s seat are gone, although
maybe a passenger’s seat will be an option. Removing things such as sound deadening
material is how the rest of the weight is lost. How much power the Demon will
make is anyone’s guess, but estimates from sources such as Car and Driver think
that the 7.0-liter supercharged V8 from the Hellcat could make over 815
horsepower and 700 lb-ft. of torque. The transmission will be optimized for
drag racing. While all of this is neat, I’m kind of tired of the teasers
constantly coming out, and it’s time for the Challenger to undergo a full
redesign instead of constant “special edition” releases I feel. The Challenger
Demon will be unveiled at the upcoming New York Auto Show and sales will begin
late this year. Production will be limited, thus, expect prices to be high.
What is your opinion of these new
Dodge models? Do you feel as though they were really needed in their respective
lineups, or are they just “lipstick on a pig” to you?
__________________________________________________
The O’Reilly Factor: Auto Advertisers
Back Out
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| A list of the advertisers that have left "The O'Reilly Show" thus far. |
Over the past week, Bill O’Reilly
of Fox News’ top-rated “The O’Reilly Show” has been facing backlash over allegations
that he has sexually or verbally assaulted women. While this is still under
investigation, as you can imagine, the consequences of such actions are
potentially serious, and thus, many companies have decided that they want
nothing to do with the host or his show in the meantime. So far, 52 businesses
have pulled their advertisements from the program, and many of them are automotive
companies. This list of auto-related companies includes: Mercedes-Benz, BMW,
Hyundai, Lexus, Subaru, Mitsubishi Motors, Infiniti, TrueCar, Geico, Allstate, Esurance (owned
by Allstate), and Carfax. More may leave at a later date as the situation continues
to develop.
This all started over a report
published by the New York Times, stating that five women received settlements
from Fox News and O’Reilly totaling $13 million after making various misconduct
accusations. O’Reilly hasn’t addressed anything on-air, but denies these claims
and says that just like other some controversial people, “I’m vulnerable to lawsuits
from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity.” He says
that in his 20 years at Fox, no one has ever filed any complaints to his
knowledge about him to HR or on any hotlines. Hyundai released a statement
saying they are not advertising right now on the show anyways, but will remove
upcoming ads they had planned because of the “recent and disturbing
allegations.” “We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation as we
plan future advertising decision,” Hyundai says. Mercedes-Benz released a
similar statement.
Paul Rittenberg, executive vice
president of advertising sales at Fox News, has stated, “We value our partners
and are working with them to address their current concerns about the O’Reilly
Factor.”
As an advertising major in college,
this is an important topic and raises the issue of ethics. However this all ends
up turning out, it still remains that everyone in a workplace should be valued
and respected, regardless of their race, gender, or otherwise. Companies
uniting together like this does send a message that we as citizens should take
an example from as well.
Given the nature of these allegations, would you have
pulled ads if you were an advertiser?
__________________________________________________
3’s a Crowd: Three Interesting
Upcoming GM Models
General Motors has some interesting
cars they’re developing or that will be coming out soon, which means that if
you’re anxiously waiting, you only have a limited amount of time to get ready.
Here’s three that I found to be of particular interest.
2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Powered by the same 3.6-liter V6
good for 308 horsepower in the regular Colorado, the ZR2 steps up its off-road
capability by boasting a wider overall stance with more aggressive styling, two
inches of lift, off-road tires, four-wheel-drive with rear locking differentials,
underbody production, and a standard trailering package. An 8-speed automatic
transmission is standard with the V6 engine now. Other available or standard
options include Chevy’s MyLink infotainment touchscreen with navigation, Bose
premium speakers, a bed-mounted spare tire, a 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel
engine paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and no-charge vinyl
flooring. Pricing for the Colorado ZR2 will start at $40,995 and it should be
going on sale about now (Spring 2017).
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| The available sport bars on the Colorado look pretty stylish in my opinion. |
While I like the idea of these “compact/midsized”
pickup trucks, I can’t help but feel as though they’re overpriced at times. I’ve
built some online before out of interest, and I’ve had the prices reach almost
$45,000 for a loaded Colorado or Canyon pickup, but yet they lack some features
you’d expect at that price on almost any car (or truck), such as a sunroof or
the even blind-spot detection on Z71 models. Regardless, I think that this
model will add to the capability of the Colorado lineup and give GM an even
stronger competitor to the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier pickups. Having
the diesel engine available as an option on the ZR2 is a plus, too.
Side note: I really like the way
the Colorado looks when its equipped with the off-road lights package. Reminds
me of an Avalanche in some ways.
2018 Cadillac XT4
This small crossover would slot
below the XT5 in Cadillac’s lineup, and would give the brand some much needed
diversity in their SUV lineup as well. In my opinion, I feel as though Cadillac’s
cars are generally great, but their SUV’s tend to be rather average. Since
compact SUVs are so hot right now, especially in the luxury segment, Cadillac
will need to make sure that this model is tuned to not only be responsive and sporty
like many of its competitors are, but also reliable, since several of its main
competitors are that, too.
The XT4 will likely ride on the
same platform as the 2018 GMC Terrain and also the 2018 Chevy Equinox I just
showed off a few weeks back. That’s a good starting place, as the new Equinox is
several hundred pounds lighter than its predecessor, meaning this XT4 should be
plenty nimble. Especially if the same team that designed the ATS’s architecture
is working on this model, too. However, the XT4 may be larger than some of its
competitors, such as the BMW X3. Since this is a crossover SUV, I would expect
front wheel drive to be standard and all-wheel-drive to be optional.
Available
powertrains, if they continue to follow the industry trend, will likely be all
four-cylinders of the turbocharged variety. Pricing is an unknown, but I would
say this car may start in the mid-$30,000 range and top out near or over
$50,000. Expect the XT4 to show its true face to the world sometime next year.
2018 Buick Regal
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| This new Regal could very well shape up to be one of my favorite vehicles from GM right now. |
I’ve saved the best for last, as I
truly feel that this is one of the most intriguing, to-be-produced, GM products
to be shown off recently. Still based on the Opel Insignia, the 2018 Buick
Regal is supposed to compete with small and midsized luxury sedans such as the
Audi A4 and Acura TLX, however it sells in larger quantities than them anyways
from what I can tell. GM has stepped it up this time around, ditching the Regal’s
sedan body style for a Sportback design! Yes, the trunk opens up as a hatch and
reveals an expansive cargo area, expanded even more by folding rear seats. Speaking
of rear seats, there’s much more usable space there this time around since the
Regal’s wheelbase has been stretched by several inches. The lack of interior
room was one of the main complaints I’ve had about my mother’s 2013 Regal, so I’m
glad to hear it’s been addressed it seems like. But it doesn’t stop there…
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| The 2018 Regal TourX is Buick's first station wagon since the 90's! |
When was the last time that you
remember a Buick station wagon? If you guessed the Roadmaster station wagon
produced from the 1991-1996 model years, you’re correct! Well turn on your
nostalgia machine, because there’s a new wagon in town! Buick is introducing
the Regal TourX, a station wagon with a hint of off-road flare, but plenty of
Buick practicality. I must say, despite the fact that wagons typically don’t do
well here in the United States anymore, I LOVE the look of this model. Both of
them, but especially the wagon. It’s very unique, and I may try to convince my
mother to get one when she’s tired of her current Regal.
Both the Regal Sportback and TourX
wagon will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder making 250 horsepower,
but the torque ratings will vary. Front wheel drive Sportbacks make 260 lb-ft.
of torque paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the TourX wagon makes
295 lb-ft. of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. An advanced all-wheel-drive
system is standard on the TourX wagon, optional on the Sportback. A new “safety
hood” feature aims to reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of a pedestrian
collision, and raises the hood a few inches to soften the impact. The dashboard
is supposedly tilted ever so slightly towards the driver, but what I’m noticing
is that the “wraparound” design of the upper dashboard was kept, and materials
seem to be more premium. Overall, it’s another styling element I approve of,
and combined with the car’s traditional and modern Buick styling on the
exterior, it makes for an overall package I can’t wait to get my hands on for a
drive. Opel's split from GM won't affect products for now from what I've heard.
Which of these three new GM models
are your favorite? Which could you see yourself buying or not buying?
That wraps things up for now, so until next time, ROLL ON!
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