Y2K5SRT
Enthusiast
I wonder if we can possibly bring him out of retirement?
Motor Trend "MT Confidential"
- Thread starter Schulmann
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I wonder if we can possibly bring him out of retirement?
Too bad John Coletti doesn't take control of Dodge or SRT group.
The things that man did over at Ford SVO/SVT were legendary.
dodge could use a few awesome people right now that no longer are there... herb and wolfgang would be a great help to the srt projects, but i'm sure our 3 headed doggie friend doesn't like that idea since it doesn't turn an instant profit the 08 cars are incredible and the only way to go is better, i don't think dodge quit making vipers in 07 just because they were working on the 08 its because nobody bought an 06 and everybody knew the 08 was coming out and was going to be better (my opinions could be wrong... i was wrong once but that was a looong time ago)
i just wonder what will be happening to our wonderful combustion engines in the future, you already HAVE to PRODUCE a gas elec. hybrid to continue to sell cars in cali (thanks guys) and i forsee other fuel sources coming in the next 10-15 years (hydro)
oh well i'm sure much of this has been said elsewhere but i'm new to this wonderful place and have yet to put my story on the board.
the 08 cars are incredible and the only way to go is better, i don't think dodge quit making vipers in 07 just because they were working on the 08 its because nobody bought an 06 and everybody knew the 08 was coming out and was going to be better (my opinions could be wrong... i was wrong once but that was a looong time ago)i just wonder what will be happening to our wonderful combustion engines in the future, you already HAVE to PRODUCE a gas elec. hybrid to continue to sell cars in cali (thanks guys) and i forsee other fuel sources coming in the next 10-15 years (hydro)
oh well i'm sure much of this has been said elsewhere but i'm new to this wonderful place and have yet to put my story on the board.
gas/elec hybrid? Dodge doesn't make one. They do sell a "piece" called a "smart car" (actually the stupidest car to drive on the highway) made by Mercedes.
Hybrids are great for grid lock and parking or moving at 4mpg. But try that whopping 140hp on a Mountain or passing at highway speeds. City people can take a Bus.
Us rural people have no buses and it's 189mi. to the nearest 'village'. My Viper works great and my AWD Stealth R/T TT is great during the winter. NO hybrids, no smart cars here. Mostly pus and SUVs.
Ted
Hybrids are great for grid lock and parking or moving at 4mpg. But try that whopping 140hp on a Mountain or passing at highway speeds. City people can take a Bus.
Us rural people have no buses and it's 189mi. to the nearest 'village'. My Viper works great and my AWD Stealth R/T TT is great during the winter. NO hybrids, no smart cars here. Mostly pus and SUVs.
Ted
so your trying to tell me that the durango gas elec hybrid doesn't exist... check out dodge.com heres a link Dodge - 2009 Durango HEMI Hybrid - SUVs, Sport Utility Vehicles, Hybrids
3000 units being made this year so i'm told and mercedes had the smart car go cart thinggy and the durango will still have the full power of the hemi but the elec gas milage in the city
3000 units being made this year so i'm told and mercedes had the smart car go cart thinggy and the durango will still have the full power of the hemi but the elec gas milage in the city
Never even heard Chrysler was researching hybrids. Couldn't find any info on the Hybrid. Wonder what the batteries and generator weigh? I thought they were waiting until battery technology was equal to the task? Last I heard the batteries were prohibitively heavy and needed replacement every 4 years at thousands of dollars? Hemi would be better than 140-230hp though.
Thanks for the info, doesn't look like they'll be available in Can.
Ted
Thanks for the info, doesn't look like they'll be available in Can.
Ted
Alexarz
Enthusiast
The smart car gets about 40mpg, which is pretty good. Unfortunately, the little sputtering motor requires premium gas, which negates any savings. So, I agree that it is a failure.
Imagine a "smart car" in an accident. They're so small that in Europe they're not allowed on the highways. I've followed a couple on our highways and watched them sway all over the road in a crosswind. I can't imagine one of them passing a Semi at speed, can you? If they stopped really well they'd flop onto the windshield. We make SUVs with Stability control but allow a "smart car" on the highway???
Ted
Ted
chimazo
Enthusiast
The Smart car actually has ESC standard, and has performed quite well in crash testing. See-->Smart car gets highest score in crash tests - Autos - MSNBC.com
It's also the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered car sold in the US, FWIW.
I dislike the Smart car. Yes I have driven several and they are not my cup of tea. For the money there are many better alternatives. But to say they are not allowed on the highways is wrong. I have seen them on the autobahns many times. Always in the right hand lanes though
Alexarz
Enthusiast
I read that it gets about 40mpg. That is hardly the most fuel efficient car sold in the USA. It also requires premium fuel, which cuts significantly into the savings one is getting from the good fuel efficiency.
Fast1
Enthusiast
40 mpg is better than they rated it on a road test in the newspaper here in Phoenix. I thought they said it was only 32-35. They were blaming the extra weight of steel required to make the protective 'EGG' for the passenger compartment. The 32-35 makes it even less 'SMART'.
Before the government gets so strict on us they need to look at most of the other countries around the world that don't even care about all of this. They make up most of the reported pollution anyway. Have you ever been to Mexico City?
Before the government gets so strict on us they need to look at most of the other countries around the world that don't even care about all of this. They make up most of the reported pollution anyway. Have you ever been to Mexico City?
Fast1
Enthusiast
The web site states 40/45 mpg for 2007 and 33/41 mpg for 2008. They changed testing procedures for '08 and it dropped the mpg. This is closer to what the newspaper reported here in Phoenix. That is still way off from a great mpg. I think my parents Geo Metro from the early 90's got better gas mileage than that AND had a lot more room.
Lawrenzo
Enthusiast
1997 Honda Accords were rated at 31mpg with all the amenities at the time-
It's all the premium content us spoiled consumers are demanding nowadays that is pushing up the weight and driving down the mileage figures!
It's all the premium content us spoiled consumers are demanding nowadays that is pushing up the weight and driving down the mileage figures!
slaughterj
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Mileage is lower for cars now due to the changed test to more accurately reflect actual driving, so that Honda Accord would probably be mid-high twenties once re-tested.
chimazo
Enthusiast
According to the EPA, The Smart car is the most fuel efficient GASOLINE-POWERED (as I stated) car sold in the U.S., at 33/41mpg, and that's with an automatic trans (no manual sold here).
See here -->Most and Least Fuel Efficient Cars
It is an automated manual transmission. Not an automatic. The difference is it is a traditional manual transmission shifted hydraulically with automated clutch operation. Power interupts for all shifts just like any manual. And, if the ones I have driven is representative, lots of launch clutch shudder.
slaughterj
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Interestingly according to a recent Consumer Reports the Honda Fit was the most cost efficient, not just measuring MPG, but taking into account purchase price and estimated maintenance costs. So all those Prius drivers may want to look at the bigger picture instead.
I don't think that Viper's futur is linked to gas prices. It is not a commuter car guys !!
I hope you don't think like some poor narrow minded managers ....
It is not magic to make a company financially viable: You need attractive products and a good marketing strategy.
The product should be fuel effective, attractive designed, low maintenance reliable cars.
The marketing should be based on dreams and flagship products like the Viper.
To be ownest guys, marketing wise Chrysler has more work to do than on their products ....
And don't forget accountants who we were sleeping the last 10 years !
I hope you don't think like some poor narrow minded managers ....
It is not magic to make a company financially viable: You need attractive products and a good marketing strategy.
The product should be fuel effective, attractive designed, low maintenance reliable cars.
The marketing should be based on dreams and flagship products like the Viper.
To be ownest guys, marketing wise Chrysler has more work to do than on their products ....
And don't forget accountants who we were sleeping the last 10 years !
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