Photo By Brenda Priddy 1
ard with a 6-speed automatic that offers manual gear selection; a refresh of the car should happen next fall.
The all-new Cruze will replace the Cobalt compact sedan, giving buyers more space, practicality and quality. The Cruze also donates its platform to the "Electric First" Volt that promises 40 miles of pure electric motoring followed by another 300 miles provided by its gasoline-engine/generator pair. The Volt is scheduled to go on sale this November at an MSRP of $41,000, less a federal tax credit of $7500.
Dodge Charger.
Ferrari
Leading the charge for the iconic Ferrari brand in 2011 will be the recently released 458 Italia. Armed with a 565-bhp direct-injected 4.5-liter V-8 driving the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Italia can lap Ferrari's Fiorano test track as quickly as the race-tuned F430 Scuderia and the much-revered Enzo; top speed is "in excess of 202 mph." A stiffer chassis, sportier suspension tuning and a lighter curb weight (along with 82 extra horsepower) help counteract the 458 Italia's slightly larger footprint versus the F430 it replaces.
While the official word from Ferrari North America is that the only new car for 2011 will be the 458 Italia, a bit of detective work has shed light on the company's future plans. A recent Ferrari business analysis presentation revealed that a 612 Scaglietti replacement will arrive in the first half of 2011, followed by a Spider (convertible) version of the 458 Italia in the second half; both will most likely arrive stateside as 2012 models. A new Enzo supercar and a reworked 599 GTB are due in 2012, with a 458 Scuderia for 2013. Going forward, Ferrari plans to introduce a new or a revised model every year, with the mid-cycle refreshes designated with an "M" for modification.
Chrysler
Chrysler was willing to tell us a new 300 is definitely coming in 2011 (most likely as a 2012 model), but wouldn't release any photos or much in the way of concrete information before we went to press. We know a deal was struck with ZF for 8-speed automatic transmissions and that Fiat is supplying technology to be implemented on the all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6. Since this V-6 makes 290
bhp in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, we can expect an even higher figure for the 300.
The Sebring will receive significant updates for 2011, including Fiat's Multiair technology on the 2.4-liter inline-4, which should increase horsepower from the current 173 to about 190 bhp. Although a thorough redesign of the Sebring is warranted, it will likely receive only a freshening inside and out. Sadly, the last PT Cruiser rolled off the assembly line this past July.
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