Episode 734 – Mopar Modified Charger, 2011 BMW Active Hybrid 750 Li
September 29th, 2011 at 11:00am
Runtime: 5:57
We take an exclusive look at the new Mopar 11, a heavily modified Dodge Charger. Plus, John reviews one of the most luxurious and most expensive hybrids that you can buy.
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This is Autoline Daily, but not the normal show you’re used to seeing. For the rest of this week we’re going to be showing you some of the best of Autoline Daily because we’re moving our studios to a brand-new building. So excuse our dust and please enjoy a couple of our favorite features. First up, we go deep inside a very-special, very high-performance Mopar, and then we take a look at a top-dollar luxury hybrid. Check it out.
MOPAR-MODIFIED MODELS
Last year Mopar came out with the first ever car branded as a Mopar in the history of the brand. Called the Mopar 10, it was a heavily modified Dodge Challenger, and it instantly sold out. So now Mopar is coming out with the Mopar 11, a modified Dodge Charger. We asked Pietro Gorlier, the CEO of Mopar, to take us through the car and show us what it has.
The Mopar 11 also has strut braces on the front and rear of the car that tie the shock towers together to increase the structural rigidity of the body and to enhance the handling of the car. They definitely stand out against the black background under the hood and inside the trunk.
And what Mopar car would be complete without a pistol-grip shifter? But owners get more than just go-fast components; they also get the personal touch with a special owner’s kit.
Goodies in the owner’s kit, goodies on the car, OK, what’s this going to set you back?
Just under $40,000 for a car like this is a pretty good price. In fact, when they announced they were going to build only 1,500 Mopar 11s, the dealers bought them all within 48 hours.
2011 BMW ACTIVE HYBRID 750 Li
I think the diesel version of the 7 Series is a far more satisfying car than the hybrid. If BMW decides to sell the diesel in the U.S. market I’ll bet it handily outsells the hybrid.
Don’t forget to tune in to Autoline After Hours tonight. Join me and the Autoextremist Peter De Lorenzo for some of the best insider discussion of what’s going on with cars and the companies that make them. And that wraps up this show. Thanks for watching, I’ll see you tomorrow!
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Comments (35)
September 29th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Xirallic. That’s the sparkly ingredient in automotive paints whose supply was disrupted in the Japan earthquake this year. Today the WSJ has an article on how the supply of this pigment has been altered in recent months.
A quote…
“The acute Xirallic shortage nevertheless illustrates how much the global auto industry came to rely on just a handful of producers for key components and materials, many of which are made in Japan. The post-quake crisis has prompted auto makers to seek ways to diversify their supply chains for critical components, which ranged from humdrum rubber O-rings to advanced semiconductors.
In a Japanese trade ministry survey released Aug. 1, 97% of manufacturers that used suppliers in northern Japan have found alternate sourcing since the quake. Of the 123 companies surveyed, 42% said they will switch permanently to procuring parts and materials overseas.”
And the link. It’s a free article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904563904576586040856135596.html?mod=WSJ_auto_LeadStoryCollection
September 29th, 2011 at 11:19 am
AutoAnarchist News 9/29/11
Spyker
Today SAAB ne Swedish Auto Makers announced they’ve sold Spyker Cars off to a more money than brains American for $44 million . That should tide SAAB over for about … oh … 12 hours
Chevy VOLT
Also in todays news GM has announce that in spite of only selling 3500 Volts YTD ( with most of those going to Fleet sales such as GE ) that they are positive VOLT sales will exceed the targeted 10,000 units sold by the end of 2011
Auto vs Manual
Did you know that MINI out sells manual shifting cars in the US over every other manufacture ? As well as MINI being the ONLY manufacture who the majority of their sales are manual transmissions
Does that say something about MINI buyers or the MINI Automatic Transmission ? Both if you ask me as yes MINI owners are a bit more ” Sporting ” and the automatic MINI offers has been the weak link in the car since its inception
And after the break an Autoanarchist Opinionator
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E/V’s
Here’s something to chew on .
I’ve been reading up on E/V history from 1901 -2011 over the last year and a half ….
And…….
Did you know that in spite all of our technological advances , computerization , new metals and alloys found , etc etc that ALL the problems that plagued E/V’s in 1901 , helping ICE’s to push the technology aside …..
Are the exact same problems plaguing E/V’s today , namely ;
1) Range
2)Battery capacity & lifespan
3) Recharging time and access
4) Cost
110 years of trying the same thing over and over again has gotten us exactly nowhere with todays E/V’s
How’s that axiom go ?
Doing the same thing over and over again being the definition of insanity .
And thats the news from the AutoAnarchist , sitting in for John and the ALD crew . I’ll be on a road trip this afternoon so HtG will be taking my place until next week and the ALD crews return
The AutoAnarchist was brought to you by ;
Tj’s Music Emporium and Consulting Services
” We’re better … because everyone else isn’t ”
KSMYS Media Group
” If you have to ask …… you don’t need to know ”
GoodFellas Inc
” Your mother warned you about us and she was right ”
E/V , Hybrid and Marchione’s Madness Recovery Unit
” Ten steps to automotive Nirvana ”
Thanks again and look forward ( oh I’ll bet y’all are really looking forward ) to the return of John and Co. next week and good luck to the ALD crew in their new digs
September 29th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Jae-Man Noh, head of Hyundai’s joint-venture operations in China, said today that labor costs are rapidly rising in China, and that manufacturers can’t thinking of it as a low cost base.
The money quote…
“The Hyundai executive pointed to a series of high-profile labor strikes that hit Japanese-run auto factories and others in China last year. Normally quick to break up organized worker walkouts, the government tolerated those strikes to a large extent last year, and minimum wages in some parts of China have been rising steadily since.
China still offers other draws, including strong economic growth, an increasingly affluent population and a quickly growing car culture.
Plus, Hyundai’s average factory labor cost in China is still one-fifth of that in South Korea, Mr. Noh said. What concerns him most is the dramatic rate of increase, he said.”
The link to the for $ article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203405504576600642524256196.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond
September 29th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
According to TTAC Hyundai is working on a 10 speed auto, Stop the madness, how many gears do you really need? I know 3 or even 4 sucks, but 10? I think 5 is perfect, unless you’re gonna do over 100mph regularly.
September 29th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
You guys yesterday suggested either a Mustang or Camaro for rental, do you really consider them to have good driving dynamics?
September 29th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@ pedro
The Mustang is the better handler . Is faster and is a bit of a hoot without the multitude of Blind Spots the Camaro has .
Given the choice , Mustang hands down .
Driving the Camaro is like being in a 4 wheel M/C full face helmet with half the visor black taped , and you not being able to see any of the extremities
Plus the controls in the Camaro are a royal P.i.t.A rivaling BMW for complexity and lack of familiarity
September 29th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
And one more news item from the AutoAnarchist
Have pity on our Brit brothers and sisters across the Pond .
Hyundai has just taken over the Main Billboard in Piccadilly Square with intent of inundating the UK with a barrage of Ad campaigns .
Is nothing sacred anymore ?
And uhh…. for those of you that think Hyundai won’t be successful , have a look at the POS’s the majority of Brits drive . They aint a bit smarter or more discerning Car Buyers than we are for the most part . In a lot of way they’re worse .
September 29th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Bloomberg car guy Jason Harper has a review of the 4 cylinder BMW Z4. He writes that the new engine has more low end torque at the low end, and we should expect to see a 4 banger in the 5 series.
“To prove that the Munich-based automaker is serious about its new four-cylinder, the engine will also make its way into the 5 Series sedan. Yep, the 2012 528i will be available this autumn as a four-banger. I never thought I’d see the day.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-29/bmw-s-50-000-four-cylinder-roadster-crashes-power-party-jason-h-harper.html
You should’a had a V8
September 29th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
“more low end torque at the low end”
Is that code, HtG?
September 29th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
That BMW is one of those hybrids that really doesn’t make sense. It is a genuine gas hog with EPA ratings of 17-24, on premium, and it costs many thousands more than a regular 750Li. To make things crazier, according to an AutoWeek review, you “feel” more of what’s going on with the power train than in a Prius. You can expect, and accept a certain amount of quirkiness in a $24K car that gets 50mpg, but in a $100K luxury car, I don’t think so. The BMW hybrid is a little faster than the standard 750, but for $20K less money, and to be rid of the quirkiness……
September 29th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
How many forward gears do you think is enough? the more gears they put in there sound good in theory, but must be a repair nightmare, and I wonder just how sturdy they are.
September 29th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Bottom line Hybrids combined with luxury just don’t make much sense at all.
September 29th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
If Hyundai keeps its 10 drivetrain warranty, then maybe customers won’t care about repair costs. But sheesh, how much tech cost outweighs working a man ual or grouping trips together? I guess luxury is as luxury does.
September 29th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
10 year warranty. Sorry
September 29th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Don’t 18 wheelers have like a dozen gears? but that’s because of their weight, there’s no sensible reason why a car needs so many gears, except bragging rights, I guess they can’t brag about HP or torque anymore so there comes the gears. what is next? wheel size?
September 29th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Is that code, Pedro?
September 29th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Well now I can smell as good as I look in the GLK
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/09/mercedes-launches-“first-fragrance-for-men”/
Eeesh . Looks like M-B is taking merchandising lessons from Ferrari . Not a good thing .
September 29th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@ pedro
If my Benz is anything to go by I’d say Seven is just the right amount .
Smooth shifts , up & down ( honestly unless you’re really getting on it you never notice it shifted )
September 29th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I tired using Toyota cologne but the smell of mold and mildew and gas covered it up
September 29th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@ HtG
A Four Banger ? …….. In the Five Series ?
Heresy . Plain and simple . Heresy .
If its better mpg you’re wanting why not just step down to the Three Series ?
FYI in the EU and UK when people spy that Miniscule engine number on your Benz or Bimmer in general they just laugh saying ” Guess he couldn’t afford a real one … buying the discount cheapie instead .
September 29th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@17 Years ago at the Infiniti service dept. I inquired as to the idea behind all the chotchkes for sale. Like pens, key fobs, and general trash. I asked, ‘Don’t leave any money on the table?’ To which the manager replied, ‘that’s right.’
September 29th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@20 the 4 bangers will have direct injection so maybe the German worship of tech will win over public opinion.
September 29th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Not directly car related, this WSJ piece describes the destruction of the Mexican state.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204226204576599161405735224.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories
Bring it home Ford.
September 29th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
#20,
It’s not uncommon to have unbadged BMW’s and Benzes in Europe to hide what engine is in the car. People do this to hide both the small, and the large engines.
September 29th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Bad pun alert. So is the Mercedes cologne going to be called, ‘Fur Herr’ ? See what I mean when I say bad?
September 29th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
From the standpoint of gas mileage and performance, you don’t seem to gain much with more than 5, or even 4 gears in an automatic transmission. The current Corolla with only 4 speeds beats all the competition in CR’s real world gas mileage tests, and gets similar 0-60 times.
The main thing you gain with lots of speeds is smoothness. You can have the ratios more closely spaced, which makes for smoother shifting up and down. If you can get seamless shifting with 7, what’s the point of more than 7, unless you can get them “almost for free” by using another combination of the existing planetary, or other gear sets in the transmission?
September 29th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Maybe they should get back to looking for more places to stick an airbag, like in the headliner.
September 29th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
This ole rod/wrench is on his 3rd GM 2.4, for a total of 100k mi, so far .
Best all around power plant ever built & I’ve had em all.
September 29th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
WSJ asked the US Marshal’s Service why headquarters in Arlington VA had 152 high powered cars available as take home cars for employees. So there’s a new policy. Like pronto.
“Stacia Hylton, who took over as head of the Marshals Service in January, ordered a review of vehicle policy earlier this year. She said Wednesday she had issued a new policy effective next month that would remove 122 take-home vehicles and transfer 97 of them to U.S. Marshals field offices around the country. The rest would go to the agency’s motor-vehicle pool.”
And…
“Take-home cars are common in federal law-enforcement field offices, where the purpose is to give investigators or supervisors a vehicle they can use any time to respond to a crime scene or intelligence operation.
The use of such cars is supposed to be much rarer at agency headquarters, because the bulk of the staff there aren’t case investigators but managers and office workers.”
It’s a $ article. Here’s the link
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204226204576599102392710930.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth&_nocache=1317320168485&mg=com-wsj
September 29th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
To HtG—- Just rebuilt a Terrain , & it HAS airbags in the headliner. Cost $650 (net) to replace & a 4 month wait for the liner.
September 29th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
How to scare the beans out of automobile planners image gurus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF_XiCApFe8&feature=player_embedded
who’s cool now, beeyotch?
September 29th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
IF they can make the 4 cylinder smooth and quiet in the 5 series, it seems ok to me. Some people need more back seat space than a 3 series has. If it is “rough around the edges,” even a little, the four doesn’t belong in the 5.
September 29th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
In the UK, you can get a 5 series wagon with a 2.0 liter, 184 hp 4 cylinder diesel and a 6-speed manual. That would be a sweet car, for those of us who like nice cars, and are fuel economy fanatics.
September 30th, 2011 at 10:07 am
Regarding BMW, though, I just read in AutoWeek that they are replacing the non-turbo six with a turbo four as the standard engine in the 3 series. That is a big mistake. That in-line six is the main reason to buy a 3 series, and not everyone wants the power, and “issues” of the turbo six in the 335.
October 3rd, 2011 at 4:33 pm
;-()