2011 Jeep Compass Preview
Chrysler's revised-model onslaught continues with the 2011 Jeep Compass, restyled and with several new standard features to better position itself in the fuel-efficient crossover segment. Borrowing some of its new looks from the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Compass should have a broader appeal than its somewhat frumpy forebear.
Key upgrades for the 2011 Compass include a retuned suspension with stiffer springs, damping, and rear anti-roll bar for a more controlled highway ride, while a new available Freedom Drive II package steps up the Compass's off-road capability. The design is heavily revised as well, with a new hood, fenders, nose, and head lights presenting a more modern face.
Inside, the 2011 Compass gets more soft-touch elements, upgraded materials, a new steering wheel with audio and hands-free phone controls, improved cloth upholstery, and a number of power accessories as standard.
The Freedom Drive II system gains Jeep's Trail Rated badge, bringing a continuously-variable transaxle that engages in off-road mode, a one-inch higher ride height, skid plates, and a full-size spare. Appearance elements of the Freedom Drive II package included 17-inch alloy wheels, and fog lamps. The Freedom Drive II package is recommended for "moderate off-road situations," including steep grades, occasional wheel lift, and rock or log climbing.
For those with less serious off-road needs, the Freedom Drive I package is available, offering a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a locking mode to better handle deep snow, sand, and low-draction situations. The standard 2011 Compass drive system is still a front-wheel-drive unit.
Three trim levels are available for 2011: the Compass, Latitude, and Limited. All three can be had with any of the off-road packages, with the primary differentiation being on the level of interior equipment.
Power for the 2011 model comes from the 2.0-liter World Engine four-cylinder, rated at 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque. The engine is good for 23 mpg in town and 29 mpg on the highway with the five-speed manual transmission. An upgraded 2.4-liter World Engine with 172 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque is an available upgrade, still managing the same impressive mileage with the five-speed manual. The entry-level Compass trim gets the five-speed manual standard, with a CVT standard on the Latitude and Limited models.
The 2011 Jeep Compass will hit dealerships this month. Pricing and options haven't yet been released.
[Chrysler]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Tech Update: Wi-Fi Now Available On Seven Chevy Models
Back in October, General Motors announced plans to offer Wi-Fi routers for its full lineup of vehicles. Although the routers -- built by Autonet Mobile -- had been available as aftermarket add-ons for quite a while, putting installation in the hands of dealers made in-car internet an "official" GM thing.
At the time of the announcement, Wi-Fi routers were already offered on Cadillacs; GM said that GMC vehicles would follow, with Chevrolet bringing up the rear. Well, we're happy to report that the rear is here: as of today, Equinox, Traverse, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche, and Express owners can purchase a Wi-Fi router and have it installed at their dealership of choice. Best of all, between now and December 31, buyers receive a $200 rebate if they sign up for two years of internet service. That make the $399 router just $199, which isn't a bad deal -- and it certainly lessens the sting of contracts that start at $29 per month for one GB of data.
Curious types can scan the complete press release below.
* * * * *
DETROIT Owners of several Chevrolet models can transform their vehicle into a rolling Wi-Fi hot spot with Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile. This dealer-installed system enables full Internet access inside the vehicle and up to a 150 feet radius around the vehicle with a laptop or mobile Wi-Fi device.
"Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile enhances commuting, family vacations and work," says Chris Rauser, Chevrolet Accessories Manager. "It benefits active families on the go, as well as professionals who need immediate information at remote job sites. Its uses are almost endless."
Autonet Mobile is the world's first Internet service provider designed exclusively for vehicles. As a GM Officially Licensed Product, Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile is certified to work with the following new Chevrolet models:
- Equinox
- Traverse
- Silverado
- Tahoe
- Suburban
- Avalanche
- Express
Chevrolet Wi-Fi reflects the trend of increased Internet access on the go. According to JiWire's Mobile Audience Insights Report, eight percent of all public Wi-Fi users log-in while traveling on subways (three percent) and ferries or cruise ships (five percent). In addition, JiWire reports that total public Wi-Fi users jumped 18 percent in just seven months, from December 2008 to June 2009.
Chevrolet Wi-Fi is designed for use by passengers, or by the driver when the vehicle is parked. The system requires no special software and achieves speeds up to 1.5 mbps. It uses TRU Technology to maintain Internet connections over the 3G network while the vehicle is in motion, allowing uninterrupted streaming of videos and more.
For families, Chevrolet Wi-Fi allows kids and teens to research homework topics on the ride home, connect to friends on social sites, and stream videos on long drives. The internet connection can support several devices at once, enabling multiple passengers to use the connection for their separate devices.
When it comes to worksite use, the Wi-Fi connection offers immediate access to everything the Web offers to make the job quicker and easier, from access to online ordering sites, municipal sites with permit and building code information and more. And when used with a laptop computer, the information comes in a larger, easier to navigate format than the small displays of cell phones.
Additional docking stations are available, enabling customers to easily move the Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile router from vehicle to vehicle.
Through Dec. 31, Chevrolet Wi-Fi is available for $199 ($399 retail price, less $200 mail-in rebate with two-year service agreement). Go to GMextras.com for more information.
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is one of America 's best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that go from "gas-friendly to gas-free," Chevy has nine models that get 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers three hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and provides the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on the Vot, visit http://www.greencarreports.com.
[GM]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Across The Pond: Mugen Releases 237HP Honda Civic Type-R
The Honda Civic sold in Europe is a very different beast to the mundane version sold here in the United States, and in some guises is even pitched as a performance model. The car is aggressively styled and comes with a space-age look that really makes it stand out from the crowd.
Hot-hatch fans across the pond can already order it in Type-R spec, which sees it fitted with a punchy 2.0-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine rated at 198hp and 142lb-ft of torque, but soon they will be able to order an even more potent Mugen-enhanced version. For the uninitiated, Mugen is Honda's official in-house tuner and performance accessories division and has close ties with the automaker's racing efforts.
Set to go sale in the UK in the third quarter of the year, the Mugen-enhanced Civic Type-R comes with a 237hp and 160lb-ft of torque version of the 2.0-liter mill, as well as uprated shocks and springs and Mugen's new 'I-TCMS' tire monitoring system. Brembo has also been called in to supply huge (for such a small car) 12.6in slotted discs up front and 11.1in units in the rear.
The main aim of the game, however, is weight reduction and in the case of the latest Mugen Civic Type-R engineers have removed the rear seats and added lighter carbon-fiber accessories. New lightweight 18in alloys and a pair of Recaro bucket seats also make the cut.
Production will be extremely limited, with only a few dozen cars planned. Its prime competitors are a couple of other punchy hot-hatches that we Americans can only dream about, such as the Ford Focus RS and Renault Megane RS.
[Honda]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
