This is the Morning Shift , our one-stop daily roundup of all the auto news that’s actually important — all in one place at 9:00 AM. Or, you could spend all day waiting for other sites to parse it out to you one story at a time. Isn’t your time more important? More » Excerpt from: Friday, April 22nd, 2011 [Morning Shift] The rest is here: Friday, April 22nd, 2011 [Morning Shift]

Filed under: Chrysler , Humour , Features The Green Hornet is arguably one of the lesser-known masked vigilantes in the UK, but that’s set to change on May 2 when the Seth Rogen-shaped update hits stores on Blu-ray and DVD. One of the stars of the new movie (apart from Kato) is the Hornet’s heavily-modified 1965 Chrysler Crown Imperial, which as well as a 500bhp V8, gets all the machine guns, flamethrowers and Stinger missiles a 21st century hero could possibly need. Click below to watch an exclusive video of The Black Beauty in action. Continue reading Video: Green Hornet gets 500bhp ‘Black Beauty’ Permalink | Email this | Comments View post: Video: Green Hornet gets 500bhp ‘Black Beauty’ See original here:  Video: Green Hornet gets 500bhp ‘Black Beauty’

Kia strengthens its Soul with more power, improved efficiency, and some new luxury equipment. Kia’s well-designed, well-equipped, and rather fun Soul has made a lot of friends around here. Now, two years after the boxy hatch’s launch, Kia is showing off a mid-cycle refresh for the 2012 model. Previewed at the 2011 New York auto show , the update includes more content, more power, and a few surprising touches. Keep Reading: 2012 Kia Soul – Auto Shows See the original post here: 2012 Kia Soul – Auto Shows Original post:  2012 Kia Soul – Auto Shows

Okay, so those names aren’t official, but two Veyrons did show up at the 2011 Shanghai auto show : One based on the 1200-hp Super Sport and the other a riff on the targa-roofed and 1001-hp-weakling Grand Sport. Let’s cover the roofless one first. Commissioned by an unspecified buyer from an unspecified location, this one is finished in matte-white paint from the door sills up, with bare blue carbon fiber doing the rest of the dressing. The wheels are tinted blue, too, and the interior is a world of blue broken up by bright-white stitching on the steering wheel, seats, and shift lever, and in a Spirograph-style pattern on the center console. It’s a striking (and some might say Maserati MC-12 –esque) take on a car that we’ve called the result of one man’s— Ferdinand Piëch’s —diabolical vision. Speaking of diabolical, that may be the best way to describe the Super Sport seen here. The exterior is rendered entirely in exposed black carbon fiber, and the monochromatic take combines with the Super Sport’s unique rear end and engine cover to lend it a little bit of a Bread Van look . The wheels and fuel-filler door are contrasts in black and bare aluminum. Pieces of aluminum trim travel up from in front of each side window to form the divisions between body sides and NACA-ducted roof before ducking under the taillights and meeting under the Bugatti logo. The cockpit is decked out in Snow Beige and Beluga Black sueded material, and carbon lines the door inners and center console. The entire package is as sinister as we’ve seen a Veyron, yet it’s still relatively understated, especially in comparison to the black-and-orange livery worn by the first Super Sports. This 258-mph wonder won’t be able to say it’s been everywhere, man, either, instead remaining in China with its new owner, who bought it prior to the show. Check out our first drives to find out what it’s like to pilot the Veyron Super Sport and Veyron Grand Sport . Original post: Bugatti Veyron Johnny Cash and Moody Blues Editions Appear at Shanghai Show Continued here:  Bugatti Veyron Johnny Cash and Moody Blues Editions Appear at Shanghai Show

If you’re shopping for a new car and have a preference for Chrysler Group products, expect to see frequent model updates from Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep in the coming years. Ralph Gilles, head of design at Chrysler (and president & CEO of Dodge) believes that frequent styling changes may be the key to sales growth. Going forward, Gilles expects… Read the rest here:  Chrysler: Frequent Design Changes Key To Sales Growth

Auto shows have a lot in common with a mock-up of a Formula One car; they’re both a promise of excitement rather than the actual experience. This year’s New York show had its share of craziness, but for all the models we did see our post on a tiger-carrying Land Rover gave Stöke the idea for one vehicle we’d pay to see: More » Excerpt from: COTD: Leaving New York edition [Commenter Of The Day] Continued here:  COTD: Leaving New York edition [Commenter Of The Day]

With shares of General Motors hovering near a post-IPO low, masterminds at the U.S. Treasury have let slip they might sell a chunk of its 33% stake this summer or fall . Someone’s just itching to use the E-Trade account. More » Read more: Feds may cut-and-run from GM stock this summer [Blip] View original here:  Feds may cut-and-run from GM stock this summer [Blip]

The good Dr. Dre may drive Ferraris , but when it comes to keeping those heads ringing he’s sticking with his partner Eminem and tuning sound systems for Chrysler. Ding ding dong. More » The rest is here: Chrysler announces partnership with Dr. Dre on 4/20 [New York Auto Show] Read the original post:  Chrysler announces partnership with Dr. Dre on 4/20 [New York Auto Show]

Playing with the nose of a Jaguar always takes a little delicacy; no other brand has quite as much history wrapped up in its front grille. But the rhinoplasty on the 2012 XF-R made things better, mostly. More » Read more: 2012 Jaguar XF-R takes its nose job public [New York Auto Show] View post: 2012 Jaguar XF-R takes its nose job public [New York Auto Show]

Playing with the nose of a Jaguar always takes a little delicacy; no other brand has quite as much history wrapped up in its front grille. But the rhinoplasty on the 2012 XF-R made things better, mostly. More » Read more: 2012 Jaguar XF-R takes its nose job public [New York Auto Show] Read the rest here: 2012 Jaguar XF-R takes its nose job public [New York Auto Show]

AWD returns to the V-6, and urbanites and suits each get their own Chrysler 300. The redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300 has hardly cooled from the heat of the lights at this year’s Detroit show, but Chrysler is pushing onward, adding several new models to the 300 lineup at the New York affair . There, we’re being introduced to the fire-breathing 2012 300C SRT8 , plus these new 300 S and 300C Executive Series offerings; they join the V-6 300 and the Hemi V-8–equipped 300C and 300C AWD. What it all means: Whether you’re looking for a 300 with big wheels and a bangin’ stereo, one fueled by righteous and furious anger, or one with fine leather and premium wood trim, Chrysler probably has a model for you. Keep Reading: 2012 Chrysler 300 S / 300C Executive Series – Auto Shows View original post here: 2012 Chrysler 300 S / 300C Executive Series – Auto Shows Go here to see the original:  2012 Chrysler 300 S / 300C Executive Series – Auto Shows

Nissan’s new subcompact is all-new and positively less distinctive—thank goodness. Nissan’s biggest news at the New York auto show is small in scale, but important in terms of a market segment that’s likely to expand in direct proportion to escalating fuel prices. Meet the 2012 Versa sedan, the second generation of Nissan’s four-door subcompact. While it will again have a five-door hatchback sibling, Nissan is spreading the auto-show love and brought only the sedan to New York. Riding on a new architecture with new sheetmetal and a revised engine, the 2012 Versa is about as new as new gets in the car biz. Keep Reading: 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan – Auto Shows More: 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan – Auto Shows See original here:  2012 Nissan Versa Sedan – Auto Shows

Everyone is focusing on the Shanghai Motor Show right now, but Chrysler is looking ahead to the New York International Auto Show with its latest release. The 200 mid-size sedan has been redesigned for 2011 and Chrysler is aiming to provide some visual excitement to the lineup with a new “S” trim level. The 200 isn’t known for being the sportiest in its segment, but apparently the company wants to show a different side off with the S. However the effort is curious because the S is purely an appearance package. Suspension elements are unchanged from the standard car, which is unfortunate. Expect similar S models in this vein to follow in the Chrysler lineup, as the company is planning to debut a 300 S as well. To announce its S status, the 200 S gets exclusive 18-inch wheels and darkened elements. The formerly chrome door handles and mirrors are now body color, and the grille is finished in black, along with tinted black headlights and Chrysler badging. As for upgraded features, the interior adds a perforated leather steering wheel, leather seats with suede inserts in the seats and door panels, as well as S badging in the headrests. The company’s CD/DVD/MP3/30 gigabyte hard drive media center is standard, accompanied by a 276-watt Boston Acoustic sound system. The Pentastar 3.7-liter V-6 under the hood makes 383 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque, unchanged from the standard car. The S line is set to go on sale this Spring, priced at $26,790 for the sedan, while the convertible checks in at $32,490. Related posts: Chrysler Prices 200 Convertible Chrysler Adds 200 Sedan for 2011 Cadillac Introduces CTS-V Black Diamond Edition Original post: Chrysler Introduces 200 S Package

Stiffer suspenders and spiffier duds for Dodge’s mid-size family man. This is a big year for the Dodge Avenger. Like many vehicles beneath the Chrysler umbrella, it starts 2011 with a wholly redesigned interior, as well as a new V-6. The 3.6-liter Pentastar, as the six-shooter is called, is a vast improvement over its predecessor. Its output of 283 hp is an increase of 20 percent, while the improvements in general power delivery and smoothness are nearly unquantifiable. Keep Reading: 2012 Dodge Avenger R/T Official Photos and Info – Auto Shows Read more here: 2012 Dodge Avenger R/T Official Photos and Info – Auto Shows Read the original here:  2012 Dodge Avenger R/T Official Photos and Info – Auto Shows

As a tribute to the wit and wisdom of David E. , we’ve selected a number of his best columns and stories. It’s a brief look back at his life in his own words. David E.’s seminal BMW 2002 review brought the brand to the attention of American enthusiasts. His Driver’s Seat columns reflect his love of good cars and lasting friendships, with topics including his emotional connection to the Chrysler Town & Country, a cross-country trip in a Chevrolet Camaro Z-28, a meeting with President Carter’s secretary of transportation, the racing accident that shaped his career in journalism, and the passing of his own father. And the 1980 Enthusiast’s Diary from our 25th anniversary issue provides a snapshot of his life in 1955, the year of the magazine’s founding. Keep Reading: David E. Davis, Jr., A Retrospective See the original post here: David E. Davis, Jr., A Retrospective More: David E. Davis, Jr., A Retrospective