• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

Caption:

We're actually kind of fond of the Ford Ka. Apparently, so, too, is Kylie Minogue.

"Hey, Kylie, get off that StreetKa."

She won't listen. She's already gotten comfortable.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Since the birth of the automobile, women have been posing on cars. Often, it’s in order to sell something. Spokesperson + product = advertisement. Sometimes, the car and the woman placed together highlight the aesthetic qualities of one another, making a good photograph great. Occasionally, there’s no good reason for anyone to be on top of a vehicle (sometimes accompanied by us yelling, “Hey, that’s my car!”).

The above gallery, without veering off into the arena of the wholly distasteful (*cough*lowriders*cough*), runs the gamut of these types of woman-and-car matchups. Click through, and enjoy.

Recent List:

+ Ten Cars We Wish Were Still Sold Here

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Chrysler announced today that it is going to match the governments Cash for Clunkers program.
 
Chrysler states that with the start of the Government Cash for Clunkers program from July 23, 2009, it will be giving consumers up to $4500 when they trade in their old cars for eligible 2009 Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge Vehicles. Chrysler is offering up to $4500 consumer cash or 0 percent financing for 72 months through GMAC Financial Services on most of its vehicles as part of its incentive program.

Chrysler Vice President of Sales Operations, Steven Beahm states, “Everyone shopping for a new car or truck qualifies for an incentive of up to $4,500 – even if they don’t have a vehicle that qualifies under the U.S. Government’s program.”
 
A quick calculation shows that the Chrysler Town & Country has a starting MSRP of $27,160 and can be bought for $18,160 after receiving the consumer cash from both programs. In the same way the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Ram 2500/ 3500 start at a MSRP of $31,230 and $30,385 can be bought for $22,230 and $21,385. Cheapest of all, a Dodge Caliber at an MSRP of $ 17,090 can be bought at $8090.
 
Click on the links below to read the Chrysler Press Release and to see the cars that are eligible for the Chrysler Incentive Program.
+ Chrysler Media Site: “Double CA$H For Your Old Car” Incentive Program

+ Dodge: Incentive Program List

To read the Government Cash for Clunkers policy click on the link below

+ NextAutos: Cash for Clunkers Pending Senate Approval: Do You Qualify? 

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

We’re in the middle of testing out a six-speed manual equipped 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8, and thought that the Hemi Orange coupe would make the perfect vehicle for another juicy Ask It forum thread. Ask and we’ll answer.  We've also added some of our observations.

Click through the link below to ask what’s on your mind about the Challenger.

 + NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

We just received a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup in the Austin test fleet. Dodge's new truck has a lot going for it, but can it stand up to the new Ford F-150, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra, and GM pickups? Thus, we're offering it up in our Ask It forum.

Click on over to our Ask It page and post whatever questions you might have for the all-new Ram. We'll be sure to answer as best as we can and we'll post our driving impressions and other logbook entries during the next few days, too.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 

Car Summary

New in 2009: The chassis on the Nitro has been revamped to increase handling performance.

The 2009 Dodge Nitro lives by its motto “Go bold or go home.” Whether it’s in the styling or the driving experience, the Nitro is not for the casual SUV/crossover driver. Although it offers an easy, comfortable driving experience, to truly appreciate the Nitro, one needs to be an active driver with an affinity for four-by-fours with a strong personality.

Pros

• Controlled, comfortable ride.
• Great audio.
• Versatile cargo area.

Cons

• Styling is an acquired taste.
• Higher trim levels become an increasingly poor value.
• Quality of interior materials is below average.

Read more about the Dodge Nitro on the vehicle's buyer's guide page, where you'll find our driving impressions, previous road tests, galleries, and more. You can find buyer's guides to other vehicles in the NextAutos Buyer’s Guide database

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

Caption:

Dodge Viper

In February of 1989, Lutz pushed for Chrysler to put forth a modern version of the AC Cobra. The Dodge Viper came into production in 1992.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

With the recent announcement of Bob Lutz’s impending retirement from General Motors as Vice Chairman of Global Product Development, we thought it would be time to take a look at a few of the things for which Maximum Bob will be remembered.

Click through the gallery above to view our list.

Since Chrysler is currently in somewhat of a financial crisis, it makes sense that they'd be offering special editions of their current products to try and boost sales. Their latest, the Dodge Challenger R/T Classic, features retro badging and pinstripes, as well as model-specific twenty-inch wheels and fully functional hood scoops which allow for better engine cooling.

Only three colors will be available: Hemi Orange, TorRed, and B5 Blue. Optional equipment includes a six-speed manual transmission (an absolute must) which will also get you a Track Pack, 3.92 rear axle, and a slight boost in power.

Pricing for the Challenger R/T Classic starts at $34,005 and should be hitting dealer lots next month. Click through the post to read Chrysler's official press release.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

CAR SUMMARY

The completely new for 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is a bit of a revolution for the full-size pickup world, in large part thanks to its shunning of a traditional leaf spring rear suspension setup in favor of a multi-link coil affair. That upgrade yields real dividends in the realm of ride quality for the Dodge, though it remains to be seen if the suspension will be durable enough to deal with the realities of a working pickup truck. Overall, Dodge has made huge strides with this Ram compared with the last model, but it still may not be quite up to the world class standard set by Ford’s new F-150. Pickup trucks may be falling a bit out of vogue for the mainline consumer (real working truck sales are still mighty strong though) but, with competition like this, there has really never been a better time to buy one.

PROS

-    Multi-link coil rear suspension really breaks with pickup truck convention (leaf springs), and delivers very  car-like responses as a result.
-    RamBox cargo bins on the sides of the bed are a real first and offer an innovative storage system that should be a big hit in this segment.
-    Potent 390 horsepower Hemi makes the top-line truck a fun one to boot around.

CONS

-    No six-speed transmission means lower fuel economy numbers than the best in the full-size pickup world.
-    Box and cab variations are less diverse than some competitors, aka the Ford F-150.
-    Interior refinement isn't on par with the best competition, aka the Ford F-150.

Read more about the Dodge Ram 1500 on the vehicle's Buyer's Guide page, where you'll find our driving evaluations, previous road tests, galleries, and more. You can find Buyer's Guides to other vehicles in the NextAutos Car Search database.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 

We just got back from a very snowy trip to Detroit's MGM Grand casino where the thirteenth annual International Car of the Year Awards were held, hosted by Road & Travel magazine's editor-in-chief, Courtney Caldwell. The ballots had all been tallied, and from the original list of nominees, the following winners emerged.

International Car of the Year: Nissan GT-R
International Truck of the Year: Dodge Ram 1500

Additionally, the ICOTY jury presented their first-ever Earth, Wind & Power awards, which specifically shine the spotlight on fuel-efficient vehicles which have really taken our marketplace by storm. Those winners are:

EW&P Car of the Year: Volkswagen Jetta TDI
EW&P Truck of the Year: Ford Escape Hybrid

Click through our small gallery above to see photos of all the winners and stay tuned for all of our coverage from the 2009 North American International Auto Show, starting bright and early tomorrow morning.

As sales continue to decline for compact pickups, Chrysler is now talking about introducing a "lifestyle" pickup, similar to the Dodge Rampage concept from a few years back (pictured above). This news comes right on the heels of GM announcing that they will not be building the Pontiac G8 ST, a vehicle which would fall into the same type of category.

Chrysler's current small truck offering, the Dodge Dakota, continually sells in smaller volumes than its Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger rivals, even though the Dak had a somewhat substantial refresh for the 2008 model year. According to the Detroit News, this new unibody "lifestyle" vehicle could be introduced as the successor to the Dakota.

The Pontiac G8 ST would have been the only vehicle of its kind in America, so if Chrysler comes through with a similar product, it could potentially be in high demand for consumers who need pickup versatility without having to sacrifice car-like fuel economy and drivability.

+ Detroit News: Chrysler looks at car-based pickup